New Zealand CIO of the Year
New Zealand’s CIO of the Year is a visionary leader who has strategically elevated IT to drive business success. Demonstrating innovation and tangible results, they align technology with organisational goals. A proven change-maker, they inspire teams, influence leadership, and build a world-class digital enterprise.
Southern Cross Travel Insurance
Alexandra Smart
Alexandra Smart has led the comprehensive transformation of SCTI’s core systems, reshaping the way technology supports operations and how customers experience the business. Under her leadership, each phase of the initiative has delivered measurable growth, strengthening the company’s foundations and enabling new opportunities. Her vision and execution have positioned SCTI to successfully launch an ambitious new five-year strategy, with technology as a true driver of business success.
The judges praised Alexandra as an inspiring leader whose strategic thinking, innovation, and impact make her a standout CIO of the Year.
Emerging ICT Leader of the Year
The Emerging ICT Leader award shines a spotlight on New Zealand’s brightest tech talent under 35. We seek visionary leaders shaping our digital future. Whether building tech empires, leading high-performing teams, or mentoring the next generation, this award celebrates those making a significant impact on the ICT sector.
Whakarongorau Aotearoa
Stasha Rmandic
Stasha Rmandic is Head of Analytics and Insights at Whakarongorau Aotearoa, leading a high-performing team that delivers strategic insights and accessible data to support critical decisions in a 24/7 virtual care environment. Her career spans health forecasting, justice sector analytics, and crisis response – including leading insights during the bushfires and early COVID-19, earning her a nomination for the National Emergency Medal. Passionate about health equity and using data to drive meaningful change, she also shares her expertise through governance and advisory roles.
The judges praised her as a dynamic, values-driven leader and a truly deserving Emerging ICT Leader.
Business Transformation through Digital & IT
This award honors organisations that have masterfully transformed their business using digital innovation. Winners will demonstrate exceptional leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and tangible outcomes. They are industry pioneers who have successfully navigated the digital landscape to achieve extraordinary results.
AA Insurance
The judges were highly impressed by the energy, passion, and enthusiasm of the AA Insurance project team. Despite the challenges posed by legacy applications and the complexities of operating within a competitive industry and a broader trans Tasman operation, the team successfully undertook a digital and IT transformation – truly shifting the organisation forward. This remarkable achievement highlights the AA project team’s ability to modernise and digitise an old and intricate business. This wasn’t simply an ‘upgrade’ project, it was truly a transformational project.
Community Tech Champions
The Community Tech Champions Award celebrates pioneers breaking down digital barriers. By championing diversity, accessibility, and equity in tech, these leaders are empowering all New Zealanders to thrive in the digital age. From women and Māori in tech to regional communities and those with disabilities, their work is building a more inclusive tech future.
Digital Future Aotearoa
Digital Future Aotearoa is empowering the next generation with the skills and confidence to thrive in a rapidly changing digital world – ensuring no one is left behind. Through initiatives like Recycle A Device, Code Club Aotearoa, Ōtautahi Outreach, and Digital Pīkau, they break down barriers, spark curiosity, and open pathways into tech for communities who are often underrepresented. In the past year alone, they’ve gifted thousands of refurbished laptops, trained hundreds of rangatahi, and inspired many to see a future for themselves in technology.
The judges praised their holistic approach to digital inclusion – blending environmental care with social equity to create lasting change across Aotearoa.
Best ICT Team Culture & Inclusion
The Best ICT Team Culture & Inclusion Award recognises outstanding ICT team culture, recruitment, inclusion, and diversity practices that contributes to the team’s success. The ICT industry is challenged by skills shortages, and today has a strong focus on Diversity & Inclusion at board and executive levels. Practices, policies, and strategies that foster a modern, inclusive, and open workforce and team culture lead to excellence in retention and nurturing of a diverse IT staff and drive a competitive advantage for the entire organisation. The aim of this award is to celebrate organisations that recognise how culture and inclusion enables business success and that see recruitment, retention, and training future talent as a key part of the integral recipe for high performing IT teams.
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare
The Fisher & Paykel Healthcare ICT team is remarkable not just for what they deliver, but for how they do it – leading with empathy, inclusion, and collaboration. Their Culture of Care is lived every day, creating an environment where people feel connected, valued, and inspired to come to work. From creative initiatives like ‘Percolate with a Teammate’ to global award-winning projects, they consistently turn care into measurable impact. The judges agreed this is a highly aligned team whose culture is embedded, contagious, and a shining example of purpose in action.
Innovation Leadership through an Emerging Technology
This award celebrates an organisation that is redefining innovation by harnessing emerging technologies to shape the future of their industry. It recognises those leveraging an emerging technology to create new business models, transform processes, or develop new products and services.
The recipient of this award sets a benchmark for innovation, showcasing how emerging technologies can drive competitive advantage and resilience while navigating the complexities of evolving technologies and regulatory frameworks.
Hamilton City Council
The Hamilton City Council team identified a clear community need and used emerging technologies to transform how tree canopy data is captured and applied. Their high-resolution, predictive model not only meets environmental compliance demands but also informs policy decisions and strengthens environmental stewardship. With potential to extend far beyond its original purpose, this innovation is opening new opportunities across the Council and beyond.
The judges recognised this as an outstanding example of innovation in action – from concept to implementation, with a future full of promise.
Excellence in Customer Value
This award celebrates technology teams that redefine customer engagement, delivering increased levels of customer value and experience through a refreshed approach to user engagement.
The recipient will demonstrate how their initiative—spanning projects, solutions, processes, business models, or operations—has significantly improved customer outcomes. By prioritising user needs and fostering meaningful engagement, they set a benchmark for excellence in creating lasting customer value.
Auckland Transport
Auckland Transport has transformed the way people pay for public transport through its HOP Open Loop project, enabling contactless bank cards and digital wallets for a seamless, convenient experience. This innovation enhances accessibility and convenience for all commuters while integrating smoothly with existing systems to ensure reliability and security. Since launch, customer satisfaction has significantly increased, reflecting the team’s commitment to putting the customer first and making everyday journeys easier.
The judges recognised the project as a powerful example of technology and design coming together to deliver real, measurable value for the community.
Outstanding Contribution to Technology and Business in New Zealand
This award is given to a high profile business person from a public or private company whose contribution has significantly and uniquely impacted the greater New Zealand or global business community in an information technology sense over the course of his or her career. The award recognises people at the intersection of business and technology. That could be someone who has had a long and successful career in IT, who has contributed significantly to the effectiveness of business through technology, or someone who has had great success in a technology company. The recipient is selected by the judging panel. However, if you believe you know a worthy candidate please drop us a line and let us know why you think they should be considered.
Elle Archer
Full Citation coming soon…