New Zealand’s technology leaders, digital innovators, and IT teams gathered last night at the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) in Auckland for the annual CIO Innovation Awards Gala Dinner, celebrating the individuals and organisations driving transformative change across Aotearoa.
The awards recognise individuals and teams who have shown immense leadership, innovation, and foresight in their contribution to ICT and business. From ground-breaking uses of emerging technologies to outstanding workplace cultures, this year’s finalists represent the absolute pinnacle of New Zealand’s vibrant digital ecosystem.
The 2026 New Zealand CIO Innovation Awards winners are:
New Zealand CIO of the Year – Sponsored by Red Hat
Celebrating senior ICT leaders who exemplify strategic thinking, innovation, and transformative digital leadership.
- Tighe Wall, Chief Technology Officer / Chief Transformation Officer – Contact Energy
Tighe Wall was named CIO of the Year for leading an enterprise-wide technology transformation at Contact Energy that directly enabled the organisation’s five-year growth strategy. Wall unified ICT, data, digital, and acquisition technology teams into a single high-performing unit while deploying AI across generation, retail, and corporate operations.
His leadership drove a 30% reduction in cost to serve, boosted self-service adoption from 30% to 80%, and led to the creation of Māpuna—a proprietary geothermal management platform built on 70 years of operational data that no off-the-shelf commercial tool could replicate. Judges commended his commercially grounded leadership, willingness to make tough calls, and focus on building organisational trust.
Highly Commended: Samir Ranchhod, Chief Digital Officer at Tamaki Health for his leadership in transforming patient access to healthcare through the responsible adoption of AI, delivering measurable clinical impact while setting a benchmark for innovation, governance and digital leadership in New Zealand’s healthcare sector.
Finalists: Mark Phillips, Chief Digital Officer – Southern Cross Healthcare, Ankit Gupta, Group Chief Data and AI Officer – The Warehouse Group
Emerging ICT Leader of the Year – Sponsored by API Connects
Recognising exceptional leaders in New Zealand’s ICT sector under the age of 35 who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential.
- Aram Raof-Karim, Chief Information Security Officer – University of Otago
Aram Karim was recognised for his transparent, courageous leadership in executing a strategic reset of the University of Otago’s cyber security function. Karim established a factual risk baseline, managed over 100 real-world security incidents, introduced AI-assisted threat modelling, and replaced a failing Security Operations Centre at a fraction of its original cost. Judges praised his “Golden Thread” methodology—connecting high-level strategy to execution—and his deep commitment to mentoring the next generation of cyber security professionals.
Business Transformation through Digital and IT Award – Sponsored by Adobe
Celebrating organisations that have successfully planned and executed business transformation initiatives by leveraging digital and disruptive technologies.
- NZ Post
NZ Post won for executing a comprehensive, fundamental transformation across its entire business infrastructure, operating models, and customer touchpoints. Judges highlighted the scale and complexity of the initiative, which modernised parcel movement, administrative workflows, and frontline operations to set the organisation up for long-term resilience.
Finalists: Suncorp NZ, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, The Warehouse Group.
Innovation Leadership Through an Emerging Technology Award – Sponsored by Fujitsu
Honouring organisations or startups redefining innovation by harnessing next-generation technologies like Generative AI, IoT, or advanced networks.
- FortySouth
Fortysouth earned the award for its pioneering, portfolio-scale digital twin programme covering New Zealand’s mobile tower network. By providing AI-enhanced, near-complete digital twins of its infrastructure, Fortysouth enabled engineers, planners, and customers to collaborate virtually. The initiative reduced engineering upgrade effort by 40–50%, eliminated over 1,000 physical site visits, and significantly cut carbon emissions, while establishing a sector centre of excellence to share these capabilities across the industry.
Finalists: The Warehouse Group, Auckland Council, Linfox New Zealand.
Excellence in Customer Value Award – Sponsored by Datacom
Recognising outstanding initiatives that leverage digital technology to deliver exceptional value and experiences to consumers and citizens.
- Suncorp NZ
Suncorp New Zealand was awarded for modernising a complex insurance landscape. By replacing 19 fragmented, disconnected systems with unified workflows, Suncorp significantly streamlined operations for frontline teams, delivering measurable boosts in productivity, service quality, and overall customer and broker satisfaction.
Finalists: NZME, DairyNZ
Innovation for Impact and Purpose Award – Sponsored by Tech New Zealand
Celebrating the unique application of technology to solve significant social, environmental, community, or economic challenges.
- Pūhoro STEMM
Pūhoro STEMM was celebrated for its culturally grounded, nationally scaled approach to empowering rangatahi Māori in STEMM and emerging technologies. The programme provides clear pathways into tertiary education and future technology careers, delivering profound social impact across New Zealand.
Finalists: Our Net, Tech Beyond Gender, Rise By Talent
Best ICT Team Culture and Inclusion – Sponsored by Halo
Highlighting outstanding team cultures, recruitment, inclusion, and diversity practices that drive collective performance and retention.
- AsureQuality
AssureQuality took top honours for proving that successful digital transformations start with people. By creating a movement that linked communities of practice, strategic planning, and modern ways of working, AssureQuality built an inclusive, frontline-connected workforce equipped to embrace change with confidence.
Highly Commended: Whakarongorau Aotearoa received Highly Commended recognition for embedding Te Tiriti, tikanga Māori, and lived experience into digital telehealth service design through its award-winning Te Korowai framework, demonstrating how cultural safety and technological innovation work hand-in-hand.
Finalists: Contact Energy, SkyCity Entertainment Group.
Outstanding Contribution to ICT in New Zealand – Sponsored by Sharp
2026 Recipient: Graeme Muller
This prestigious accolade is given to a high-profile individual whose career or ongoing work has significantly and uniquely impacted the success, growth, and inclusion of New Zealand’s tech sector.
(Note: There are no finalists for this category. In line with tradition, the highly anticipated recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to ICT award will be announced directly on the night of the Gala Dinner).
About the New Zealand CIO Innovation Awards: The New Zealand CIO Innovation Awards are held in conjunction with the annual CIO Innovation Summit. They serve as a premier platform for recognising excellence within the Kiwi tech community, spotlighting the leaders and collaborative teams driving economic resilience and digital excellence across the nation.
