CIO Innovation summit themes
Enterprise leadership
Harnessing emerging technologies and leadership capability to drive change
sovereign ai & digital trust
Building secure, ethical, and compliant digital ecosystems that earn trust
global-first, Responsible-always
Building globally competitive, ethically grounded enterprises
create intelligence: The human edge of enterprise innovation
Blending creativity, design and culture to fuel competitive differentiation
innovation for people, planet, & purpose
Driving transformation and innovation that delivers commercial performance and meaningful impact
SPEAKERS
The CIO Innovation Summit brings together globally renowned tech leaders and visionaries. Gain insights from the best minds shaping the future of technology, all in one place. Network with industry peers and share ideas, but also learn from international expertise directly applicable to the New Zealand market. It’s your chance to bridge the gap and propel your tech strategy forward.
Gerard Florian
Former Group Executive - Technology and Business Services,
ANZ Bank
With nearly 40 years’ experience, this executive transforms technology into sustained business value. Previously leading global technology and serving as a Director for ANZ New Zealand, he now advises on enterprise transformation. He specialises in operationalising continuous change, leveraging AI to evolve project-driven models into scalable, customer-centric platforms.
Vinod bidarkoppa
Former Executive Vice President & CTO,
Walmart International
A global technology leader with 30+ years of experience driving growth through digital platform architecture and AI. Formerly EVP and CTO at Walmart International, he specialises in modernising legacy environments and scaling high-transaction systems. He brings a unique perspective on balancing rapid innovation with risk for New Zealand’s evolving tech landscape.
Juliana Chua
Sr. Director & Head | Digital Tech & Innovation (Global),
EssilorLuxottica
With 20 years of experience in IP Law, Innovation and Digital space across 4 MNCs, 3 government bodies, and 2 start-ups, Juliana’s accolades include World CIO200, APAC CIO100, and Women Technology Leader of the Year. She is also an inventor to 6 patents, applications and designs in US, EU and JP for medical technologies space and have been featured by Financial Times, Wall Street, Forbes and Fortune.
TARA MCKENTY
Chief Creative Officer,
AKQA
With over 18 years in APAC creative industries—including a decade leading creative for Google APAC—Tara serves as AKQA’s Chief Creative Officer across Australia and New Zealand. An award-winning industry disruptor, she also founded Rare with Google, a major initiative providing equitable opportunities for underrepresented creatives to thrive.
JUSTINE LEONG
Managing Director,
AKQA
A proven agency leader operating at the intersection of creativity and technology, Justine previously led whiteGREY Sydney to AFR’s Most Innovative Company. She has driven transformative growth for major global brands, including the BBC during its Asian commercial expansion, Qatar Airways’ global scaling, and Volvo’s evolution in future mobility.
Michelle Burke
Data & AI Specialist Consultant
University of Waikato
Michelle Burke is an AI and data leader dedicated to creating meaningful organisational impact. She excels at building cloud analytics platforms, strengthening governance, and turning strategies into practical outcomes. Notably, her people-first data transformation at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand won international recognition at the Central Banking Awards.
Victor Anton
GM & Founder
Wildlife.AI
Jonathan Good is the CEO of Scentian Bio. He has a successful background as an entrepreneur in New Zealand and the USA and has held senior leadership roles in global food businesses.
Jonathan Good
Chief Executive Officer
Scentian Bio
Jonathan Good is the CEO of Scentian Bio. He has a successful background as an entrepreneur in New Zealand and the USA and has held senior leadership roles in global food businesses.
James Bergin
Executive GM - Technology Research & Advocacy
Xero
A visionary specialist in strategic foresight who masterfully blends deep technical expertise with storytelling to translate complex emerging technologies into actionable strategies that help the global business community navigate an increasingly complex digital future.
Kate Kolich
Head of Data and AI, Contact Energy | Co-chairwoman in Data Science NZ
Over 25 years of leadership experience in data, digital, and innovation across public and private sectors. Kate is a recognised thought leader, she has won multiple industry awards for her work and was named one of the top 100 innovators in data and analytics by Corinium Global Intelligence in 2024.
Ian Smith
Head of Data & Platform Services
ProCare
Ian leads data, analytics, digital enablement and AI strategy across one of New Zealand's largest primary healthcare networks.
With more than 20 years' leadership experience across healthcare, transport, infrastructure, membership organisations and local government in NZ and the UK, Ian helps organisations turn data, digital platforms and AI into practical business outcomes.
Cameron Brill
Deputy Chief Executive - Corporate Operations
Hato Hone St John
Cameron brings extensive international experience from KLM Amsterdam and Auckland Airport. Managing complex portfolios across digital, sustainability, and supply chain, they focus on large-scale service improvement. Recently Harvard-trained in AI leadership, they integrate economics, psychology, and information systems expertise to drive transformative change within critical New Zealand infrastructure.
AMIT GUPTA
Group CEO & Founder
Ecosystm
Visionary tech entrepreneur who revolutionised the research landscape by democratising real-time data, while currently serving as a strategic advisor to the New Zealand government and President of TiE Singapore.
ZIENA JALIL
Deputy Chief Executive - Strategy and Executive Operations,
Hato Hone St John
Award-winning executive leader and former diplomat with over 20 years of experience across Aotearoa and Asia, recognised for advancing international partnerships.
Xanthe Sulzberger
Head of Product
Fonterra
Curt Roehricht
Data Engineering Manager,
Fonterra
Holly Beals
Senior Innovation Specialist / Aurora Climate Lab Lead,
Creative HQ
An innovation specialist and designer by trade, Holly excels at guiding impact-focused startups through complex tech development. Having scaled her own practice and led Goodnature, she brings structure to scientific discovery. She believes innovation is our most powerful lever for climate change, delivering elite technical and entrepreneurial support to founders.
Hamish Friedlander
CISO
RUSH
RUSH
Leads security strategy across the products and platforms RUSH builds for clients like Foodstuffs, KiwiRail, Farmlands and Z Energy. With over 20 years of engineering leadership, including CTO of SilverStripe architecting the framework behind some of NZ's most sensitive websites, scaling engineering for Agoda. As a host of Human in the Loop, RUSH's podcast on AI and technology, he's a regular voice on where AI is heading — and clear-eyed about the risks it introduces, from data rights to new attack surfaces.
Jason Langley
Managing Director
ORACLE
Jason Langley has over 30 years in sales, marketing, and executive leadership experience within the IT industry and stepped into the role of Managing Director for Oracle New Zealand in June 2025. Prior to Oracle, Jason spent 4 years as managing director of Ingram Micro New Zealand, following 7 years leading its enterprise hardware and software business. Excited to have joined Oracle at such a pivotal time, Jason is motivated to leverage Oracle’s immense capability to help customers improve efficiency and productivity, while also helping them unlock the value of the data they hold.
Shannon Hawker
Managed Sercices Leader
PwC New Zealand
Shannon is PwC New Zealand’s Managed Services Leader, bringing over 25 years of experience in technology operations and enterprise transformation. A specialist in human-centered change and customer-centric outcomes, she previously held senior roles at Datacom. Shannon excels at leading multidisciplinary teams to modernize complex services through automation, AI, and platform-led delivery.
Te Taka Keegan
Professor,
University of Waikato
Sonny Taite
Director Innovation & AI,
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
Emma Burte
Head of Digital,
Kiwi Property
Responsible for enterprise IT, cybersecurity, product, data and AI adoption, with a reputation as a trusted, human‑centred leader who drives complex, cross‑functional transformation. Known for making the complex accessible and compelling, aligning strategy, governance and people to spark momentum and sustained business performance.
Louise Francis
Country Manager - New Zealand & Principal for Industry Research,
Ecosystm
Louise helps organisations navigate technology-driven change. With over 25 years of experience across New Zealand and Asia Pacific, she trnslates complex global trends into practical, locally relevant guidance to drive long-term resilience.
Bharat Ratanpal
Chief Information Officer,
Meridian Energy
A seasoned leader with over a decade in senior technology roles across essential services. Currently strengthening enterprise capability and cybersecurity for a major energy provider, they recently served as Acting CEO of a tech subsidiary. Expert in modernizing core platforms, they focus on operational resilience and disciplined, customer-centric execution.
Garry Collings
Executive GM Digital & Digital & ICT,
KiwiRail
This senior executive brings over 35 years of experience delivering technology-led transformation across transport and logistics. A former NZ CIO of the Year, they excel at aligning digital strategy with business outcomes. Their career spans leadership roles at firms including Mondiale, Toll, and Mainfreight, driving innovation and enterprise delivery.
natasha wilson
Head of IT - New Zealand,
DLA Piper
With over 20 years’ experience, Natasha leads technology strategy, cybersecurity, and digital transformation for a multi-office firm. She specializes in aligning IT investment with business outcomes and risk governance. Currently, she manages a portfolio of AI initiatives, focusing on human-AI collaboration to boost productivity while ensuring trust and accountability.
Graeme Muller
Chief Executive Officer,
Tech New Zealand
Passionate about the impact that technology can make to the economy, Graeme leads with a vision of creating a prosperous New Zealand underpinned by technology.
Graeme has a 20 plus year career in technology and business research, management consultancy and marketing across multiple sectors and geographies.
Angela Nash
Chief Digital Officer,
Craigs Investment Partners
Technology Executive with a proven track record of enterprise-scale strategy and organisational change. Recognised as the 2023 CIO of the Year and a regular in the CIO Top 50, she specialises in aligning technology with business outcomes and building high-performing teams.
Joshua Sumner
Account Executive,
Halo
Joshua draws on an extensive background as a consultant, where he designed and built automated service management workflows for organisations ranging from SMEs to large enterprises across APAC.
Josh has partnered closely with project teams and senior executives to design and deliver practical service management solutions. Working across APAC, Josh now helps organisations identify opportunities to improve their processes, providing pre-sales consultancy and solution design grounded in hands-on delivery experience.
Chrissy Smith
Chief Information Officer,
BECA
Chrissy focuses on unlocking the value technology can bring to organisations. She is passionate about building and developing multi-disciplinary teams and enabling the effective use of digital to support strategic business outcomes.
A people-focused leader, Chrissy partners closely with business leaders and works alongside her teams to deliver practical, high-impact solutions. Her experience spans enterprise systems, data and AI, and leading complex transformation programmes across New Zealand, Australia and Asia.
Liz Macpherson
Deputy Privacy Commissioner,
Office of the Privacy Commissioner
Liz joined the Office of the Privacy Commissioner in 2020 as Assistant Privacy Commissioner, following a 30-year public service career that included serving as Government Statistician. Reappointed as Deputy Privacy Commissioner for five years, she now leads the Office’s policy, compliance, investigations, and capability teams.
Abbie Stevens
Digital Transformation Manager,
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners
Abbie Stevens is a technology and transformation executive with over 20 years of experience leading engineering, digital, and AI initiatives across SaaS and healthcare. Founder of AJS Advisory, she helps organizations navigate complex change with a practical, human-centric focus on building resilient teams and driving sustainable performance.
Vic Roper
Head of People & Capability,
Sharesies
Vic is an experienced HR leader with over a decade in high-growth technology companies in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. He brings a broad, generalist background across the full employee lifecycle, with expertise in employee engagement, remuneration, employment relations, and building high-performing, values-driven cultures. Vic has spent the past 4.5 years helping to shape Sharesies' people strategy and leading a high-performing team that supports the growth and success of the business.
Ullrich Loeffler
CEO of ORA Benchmarking | Co-Creator of AI ORA™,
ORA Benchmarking
Ullrich is the Co-Founder and CEO of ORA Benchmarking and creator of AI ORA™, an independent workforce and organisational AI-readiness assessment. With a background in technology research, advisory, and organisational transformation, he helps leaders connect their AI ambitions with the people responsible for turning them into business success and value.
Julie Gill
CEO,
Best Places to Work™
Julie is the CEO of Best Places to Work™, where her mission is to "float all the boats higher" by helping organisations build cultures where leadership, innovation, and performance thrive together. With a career spanning business, technology, media, and innovation across both global enterprises and founder-led ventures, Julie is passionate about helping leaders turn employee insight into meaningful action that strengthens workplace experience and organisational success.
Heather Polaschek
Head of People and Performance,
RUSH
Heather is a People & Culture leader at RUSH, known for driving inclusive change, developing strong leaders, and embedding sustainable DEI frameworks. With 15+ years' experience across multiple industries, she brings deep expertise in leadership development, change management, and team performance. Heather also leads RUSH’s Managed Services function, combining her strengths in people strategy and operational delivery to build trusted client relationships and high-performing teams.
Executive boardroom discussions
Attendees book your table through your event app
Step away from traditional presentations and into a structured, confidential space designed for interactive peer-to-peer collaboration. The Executive Boardroom Discussions bring together industry leaders and an independent moderator to tackle the most pressing digital challenges facing CIOs today. Designed for genuine peer collaboration without slides or sales pitches, each boardroom discussion brings together up to 10 executive peers per table and an expert moderator to solve complex operational challenges through open, grounded dialogue.
THEMES INCLUDE:
CLOUD & OPERATIONS
FinOps in Action: Maximising Cloud ROI | Beyond Monitoring: Modern Observability
AI & WORKFORCE
Humans + AI: Workflows That Work | Building an AI-Ready Workforce
Resilience & Risk
Third-Party Risk: Securing Your Ecosystem | Digital Resilience: Next-Level Continuity
Data & governance
Data Governance That Powers AI | Data & AI Sovereignty: Taking Control
Venue & Travel
Hosted at the new New Zealand International Convention Centre in the heart of Auckland City.
NZICC
101 Hobson Street
Auckland, 1010
4 AUGUST 2026
The CIO Awards provide a formal, prestigious platform for acknowledging the greatness within your organisation. It celebrates the foresight, commitment, and hard work of individuals and teams, honouring those who are truly driving the future of ICT and business in New Zealand.
4 AUGUST 2026
The Cyber Security Risk Conference 2026 is New Zealand’s premier forum for leaders who understand that resilience is the only path forward. We bring together the architects of our digital safety to address the fastest-growing threat to our national economy.
5 AUGUST 2026
New Zealand’s premier free tech expo – one day, real insights, live demonstrations. Discover solutions, genuine peer connections with senior tech professionals shaping enterprise innovation across the country.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Connect with New Zealand’s top IT Leaders
The New Zealand CIO Innovation Summit & Awards is your chance to engage with the country’s most influential CIOs and decision-makers, seeking insights on navigating digital transformation, AI adoption, and cyber security.
2026 Sponsors
Headline Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors (CYBER RISK CONFERENCE)
Gold Sponsors
Gold Sponsors (CYBER RISK)
Silver Sponsors
Executive Board Room Sponsors
PRE SUMMIT DINNER
LUNCH (DAY 1)
Breakfast (DAY 1)
MEDIA PARTNER
Barista Lounge Sponsors
Exhibitor
