Hear from New Zealand's most influential technology leaders, policy makers, and digital innovators as they explore digital infrastructure's role in our nation's future.
Distinguished leaders setting the vision for digital infrastructure in New Zealand
Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology
Dr Shane Reti is the Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology. Dr Reti's career began in family medicine and dermatology in Whangarei where he practiced for 16 years. He served three terms on the Board of the Northland DHB. In 2007 Dr Reti was named the NZ Harkness Fellow to Harvard, where he was promoted to Assistant Professor. In 2014 Dr Reti became the first Māori MP to win the Whangarei seat.
Founder & CEO
academyEX
Frances Valintine CNZM is a passionate educator and technologist who is focused on challenging the traditional education structure and its ability to fully prepare the generations of tomorrow for the changing world. For over 20 years she has been dedicated to shifting education and business practice to develop the capabilities and mindsets needed to respond to the future of work and industry and ensure a thriving Aotearoa New Zealand. A Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her lifetime contribution to education and technology (2018).
Prime Minister's Chief Science Adviser
Dr John Roche is New Zealand's Prime Minister's Chief Science Adviser and Chief Departmental Scientist at the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). With a distinguished career spanning academia, government, and industry, Dr Roche brings a systems-level perspective to science policy and innovation. Appointed in 2025 as the Prime Minister's Chief Science Adviser, Dr Roche also serves as Deputy Chair of the newly formed Science and Technology Advisory Council.
Head of Healthcare Public Policy, AWS, APAC
Andrew serves as Head of Healthcare Public Policy for Amazon Web Services Asia Pacific, where he leads strategic healthcare policy initiatives and stakeholder engagement across the region. With nearly four decades of healthcare experience, he brings deep expertise in digital health transformation, healthcare policy development, and government relations.
Industry experts and thought leaders sharing insights on digital transformation
CEO
Digital Health Association
A passionate and purpose-driven executive who thrives at the intersection of people, technology, and systems change. With over a decade of executive leadership across health, technology, and innovation, Stella has had the privilege of leading large-scale digital transformations, building high-performing teams, and creating spaces where creativity and collaboration flourish. Currently serving as CEO of the Digital Health Association.
CEO
Technology Users Association of NZ
Craig is passionate about the digital technology and communications industry because of the opportunity it offers for improving business and personal lives in New Zealand. He is currently the Chief Executive of TUANZ (the Technology Users Association) which is helping New Zealand make the most of the digitally connected world. Craig is an advocate for inclusivity, and equity especially in the digital technology sector in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Founder & CTO
Rush Digital
As both a technology founder and CTO, Danu represents the innovation engine driving healthcare's digital future. Expect fresh thinking on emerging technologies and what's possible when clinical needs meet cutting-edge solutions.
Chief Information Technology Officer (Acting)
Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora
Darren Douglass is the Acting Chief Information Technology Officer at Health New Zealand, having joined in March 2022 as Director of Strategy and Investment in Data and Digital. With over 30 years of experience in the public health sector in Aotearoa New Zealand, mainly in senior leadership, he has held strategic roles within districts, at shared service agencies, and Manatū Hauora Ministry of Health.
Director Innovation and AI
Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora
Sonny has been seconded from his role as National Chief Information Security Officer for Health New Zealand to set up Health X, a project looking to fast track benefits from emerging AI technologies across Health NZ. Sonny has a wealth of technology experience in defence and corporate environments and a huge passion for cyber security and upskilling young people to join the cyber workforce.
Deputy CE Technology & Data
ACC
Leading ACC's technology and data transformation, Michael brings unique insights into how large-scale health system changes actually happen. His experience navigating complex stakeholder environments offers valuable lessons for any digital health initiative.
CTO
Ericsson NZ
Sebastian is currently the CTO for Ericsson New Zealand, joining from Ericsson Sweden in 2024. For the past ten years, he has held various positions in research, standardization and product management within Ericsson working with 4G and 5G radio access networks. He holds over 175 patents and was awarded the Ericsson Inventor of the Year award in 2020 for his contributions to the 5G standard. He is the co-author of the books 5G New Radio: A Beam-based Air Interface and Massive MIMO in Practice: From 5G to 6G.
Catalyst in Chief
Peakbalance
The Peakbalance method leverages 30+ years of experience across technology (predominantly in ICT and Telco), innovation and entrepreneurship. From start-ups to large multinational corporates. Jeremy brings a servant leadership approach learned in the NZ Army Officer Corps and tested across many roles, industries and cultures. Significant international exposure (10+ years) outside of New Zealand.
Chief Digital and Technology Officer
Kiwibank
Paul is the Chief Digital and Technology Office at Kiwibank, having held several senior technology roles in the financial services industry including ASB, BNZ and Bank of South Pacific. He has broad expertise and experience across cloud, agile software delivery, devops, data, infrastructure and architecture and was a recipient of New Zealand 'CIO of The Year' having won this prestigious award in 2019.
Founder
McCrae Tech
Ian McCrae is the founder of McCrae Tech, bringing extensive experience in technology innovation and entrepreneurship to the digital health sector.
CEO
EonFibre
Richard Mooney is a highly accomplished business executive and strategist with international experience spanning Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, and Latin America. He is Chief Executive Officer at EonFibre and plays a pivotal role in shaping One New Zealand's fibre business. His career includes roles as GM Strategy at One NZ, Managing Director – Strategy at Liberty Global, VP Strategy at Vodafone UK, and Head of Strategy at Cable and Wireless.
Group CEO
Procare
As CEO of one of New Zealand's largest primary healthcare networks, Bindi understands the frontline realities of digital transformation better than most. She'll share practical perspectives on scaling digital solutions across diverse healthcare environments.
Engagement and Comms Manager
Ministry for Women
Mel Pearson is a respected communications and engagement leader with over 15 years' experience across public sector, health, and corporate environments. She is currently the Engagement and Communications Manager at Manatū Wāhine Ministry for Women, where she led the development of the recently released Online Harm Toolkit, a key resource designed to help women and communities navigate and prevent online abuse.
Director AI and Data
Deloitte
Leading Deloitte's AI and data strategy across healthcare transformation projects, Kevin brings deep expertise in how artificial intelligence can solve real clinical and operational challenges. Expect insights on AI implementation that actually works in healthcare settings.
CISO
One NZ
Laura Ross is the CISO at One New Zealand. With over 20 years of experience spanning government, intelligence, finance and telecommunications, Laura is a seasoned cyber security leader, known for driving cyber resilience and securing critical national infrastructure, with a focus on enabling innovation without compromising trust.
GM Technology NZ & Pacific, Chair of AI Forum
ANZ Bank
Ngāti Whakaue ki Tai, Ngāti Pikiao and Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Megan is the General Manager Technology NZ, Enterprise & Pacific at ANZ NZ Bank. Until recently she held the Chair of the AI Forum NZ for 4 years, focusing on bringing a Te Ao Māori perspective to the Aotearoa community of Artificial Intelligent innovators, users, investor groups, regulators, researchers, educators & entrepreneurs.
Futures Education and AI Lead
Westlake Girls' High School
Susana Tomaz is an internationally recognised thought leader at the intersection of artificial intelligence, curriculum design, and future-focused education. As Futures Education and AI Lead at Westlake Girls' High School, Susana leads the strategic, school-wide integration of AI, grounded in a human-centric and pedagogically informed approach. A Fellow of the International Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence (IRCAI) under the auspices of UNESCO.
Country Manager, NZ and Pacific Islands
Visa Worldwide
Anthony has been with Visa for 15 years, holding senior roles across Client Services, Product, Sales and Strategy throughout Asia Pacific. With expertise in product development, risk, and digital business operations, he has a passion for supporting tech entrepreneurs in developing innovative payment solutions. As Country Manager for New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, Anthony leads market strategy, business operations, and team culture development.
Join these remarkable speakers and fellow technology leaders at Tech Users Summit 2025.
