Tech Users Summit 2025

Digital as Core Infrastructure.

Programme Speakers Partners Register Partner Toolkit

We invite you to participate in the Tech Users Summit in September 2025 – the ultimate gathering of digital decision-makers, policy influencers, and technology users across Aotearoa.

This year’s theme “Digital as Core Infrastructure” recognises a pivotal moment. While physical infrastructure remains front and centre in government strategy, we are calling for equal recognition of digital infrastructure as critical to New Zealand’s future resilience, equity, and economic growth.

From broadband and connectivity to digital health systems and smart services, digital is the thread that connects people, communities, and institutions – enabling better decision-making, faster responses, and stronger outcomes across all sectors.

At this Summit, together, we’ll explore the role of digital infrastructure in improving outcomes for New Zealanders – not just day-to-day, but at the moments that matter most.

TUANZ

As the independent technology user’s association for Aotearoa, TUANZ aims to build on its history of leading and achieving positive change. Our goal is to mobilise users across all parts of society and the economy, ensuring they are aware of the opportunities and upcoming developments in technology.

The Digital Health Association

The Digital Health Association has grown to have a large membership of 200+ organisations and is the peak industry body for the digital health sector in Aotearoa, New Zealand. We have extensive reach across the health and disability system that enables our members to be part of a strong, influential, and relevant association that ensures the importance of digital health is ‘front and centre’ in everything we do.

We look forward to your participation in what promises to be a landmark event for the tech and digital health sectors.

WHEN: Wednesday 10 September
WHERE: Grand Millennium Hotel, Auckland

Premier Partner

Partner Opportunities

If you’re interested in partnering with us on this year’s event, please get in touch for our prospectus.

Tech Users Summit 2025 Programme

TUANZ Sessions
DHA Sessions

09:00

Welcome & Powhiri

09:15

Opening Comments

Stella Ward – CEO, Digital Health Association
Craig Young – CEO, Technology Users Association

09:30

Keynote – New Zealand’s digital future

Frances Valintine CNZM
Founder & CEO, academyEX

10:00

Keynote Session – The place of digital technology in New Zealand’s future

Dr John Roche
Prime Minister’s Chief Science Adviser

10:30

Morning Tea

11:00

TUANZ AGM

The 2025 Annual General Meeting will take place at this point.

11:15

Safety online and in the Workplace

Presentation: Mel Pearson, Engagement and Comms Manager, Ministry for Women

Panel Discussion:

Laura Ross, CISO, One NZ

Simon Martin, Partner, Hudson Gavin Martin

Anthony Watson, Country Manager, NZ and Pacific Islands, Visa Worldwide

12:15

Presentation – A global view on a national digital strategy

Sebastian Faxér, CTO, Ericsson NZ

12:30

Lunch

13:30

Interactive Session – A digital strategy for NZ

Jeremy Foster, Peakbalance

14:00

Responsible use of AI in Aotearoa

Panel Discussion:

Megan Tapsell, Chair of AI Forum

Paul Littlefair, CDTO, Kiwibank

Susana Tomaz, Westlake Girls’ High School

14:45

Short Presentation

Richard Mooney, CEO EonFibre

15:00

Afternoon Tea

15:30

Session Five

Darren Douglass – Acting CIO, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

Darren Douglass – Acting CIO, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
Sonny Taite – Director Innovation and AI. Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

16:00

Keynote: Premier Partner

Andrew Wiltshire – Head of Healthcare Public Policy, AWS, APAC

16:30

Ministerial Keynote

Hon Shane Reti – Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology

17:00

Closing Comment

17:15

Networking Drinks

17:30

TUANZ Member Awards

TUANZ is proud to host our Member Awards, with a focus on our members and initiatives that help the association achieve its goals for Aotearoa. These awards will recognise outstanding member contributions to digital excellence in the past, present and future. Additionally, we will acknowledge those who have made a significant contribution through the media and community mahi over the past 12 months.

19:00

Evening Ends

09:00

Welcome & Powhiri

09:15

Opening Comments

Stella Ward – CEO, Digital Health Association
Craig Young – CEO, Technology Users Association

09:30

Keynote – New Zealand’s digital future

Frances Valintine CNZM
Founder & CEO, academyEX

10:00

Keynote Session – The place of digital technology in New Zealand’s future

Dr John Roche
Prime Minister’s Chief Science Adviser

10:30

Morning Tea

11:00

Session One – Opening Presentation

Darren Douglas
Acting CTO, Te Whatu Ora, Health NZ

11:15

Session One – Round Tables

Round table discussions looking at what is happening globally for healthcare reform and digital and data

12:10

Presentation – McCrae Tech

Ian McCrae
Founder, McCrae Tech

12:30

Lunch

13:30

Panel Discussion – Driving Innovation and Collaboration between Government, Academia, Industry and other sector leaders

Discussing the importance of collaboration to address challenges and create innovative solutions in digital health. A broad ranging panel of leaders in a discussion on how we deliver our future vision for healthcare in the digital age. This will then be followed by round table discussion/workshop.

Panelists:
Bindi Norwell, Group CEO, Procare
Danu Abeysuriya, Founder & CTO, Rush Digital
Kevin Ross, Director AI and Data, Deloitte
Michael Dreyer, Deputy CE Technology & Data, ACC

15:00

Afternoon Tea

15:30

Keynote Presentation

Darren Douglass – Acting CIO, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
Sonny Taite – Director Innovation and AI. Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

16:00

Keynote Presentation

Andrew Wiltshire
Head of Healthcare Public Policy, AWS APAC

16:30

Ministerial Keynote

Hon Shane Reti
Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology

17:00

Closing Comments

17:15

Networking Drinks

17:30

TUANZ Awards

We are back with our new Member Awards, with a focus on our members and initiatives that help the association achieve its goals for Aotearoa. These awards recognise outstanding member contributions to digital excellence in the past, present and future. Additionally, we will acknowledge those who have made a significant contribution through the media and community mahi over the past 12 months.

19:00

Evening Ends

Tech Users Summit 2025 Speakers

Hon Shane Reti

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. He was awarded a QSM for Public Service in the 2006 New Year Honours List.

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 which he held from 2014 to 2020 and won again in 2023.

Stella Ward
CEO, Digital Health Assoc

A passionate and purpose-driven executive who thrives at the intersection of people, technology, and systems change. “Throughout my career, I’ve been guided by a simple but powerful belief: that bold ideas, when nurtured with integrity and kindness, can transform lives and communities.”

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. Recently as CEO leading Streamliners NZ Ltd through international growth and recognition, she supported Streamliners to earn the NZTE FernMark as a New Zealand exporter.

Currently serving as Global Ambassador for Streamliners, she continues to champion thought leadership in health and social care, and build strategic relationships across Aotearoa, Australia, the UK, and Canada.

Now Stella is the Chief Executive (Fractional) of the Digital Health Association. “What matters most to me is the impact we create, whether that is improving healthcare delivery, supporting innovators, or building partnerships that span sectors and borders.”

When not working, you will find her exploring the arts, supporting local innovation ecosystems, or enjoying the natural beauty of Ōtautahi Christchurch. “I’m endlessly curious, always learning, and deeply committed to creating a future that’s more connected, equitable, and inspired. I love meeting people who are passionate about making things better.”

Craig Young
CEO, Tech Users Assoc 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. He was instrumental in the launch of TUANZ’s future leaders programme, FLINT, in 2016. He is the joint Chair of the Affordable Connectivity Constellation with the Digital Equity Coalition Aotearoa, and a trustee at the Katoa Connect Trust.

Frances Valintine CNZM
Founder and 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), Frances has received numerous awards recognising her passion and commitment to supporting the young and more mature to seek opportunities and reach their potential. In 2022, Frances was inducted into the New Zealand Hall of Fame for Women Entrepreneurs and in 2020 Frances received the Outstanding Contribution to Technology and Business at the CIO Awards.

Driven by a strong sense of purpose to support positive growth for Aotearoa, Frances sits on the board of Watercare and is a selection adviser to EHF (Edmund Hillary Foundation), a judge on the Hi Tech Awards, a mentor to a number of female technology leaders (in NZ and India), and a Director to On Being Bold, a platform to support and encourage emerging female leaders and year 13 students to dream big. Frances is also on the Board of Trustees for the University of Silicon Valley. The author of Future You, Frances holds a Master of Education Management.

Dr John Roche
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.

He holds a PhD in animal nutrition from University College Dublin and has held academic and research positions in Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. As an adjunct professor at the University of Auckland’s School of Biological Sciences, he maintains strong ties to the academic community.

At MPI, Dr Roche has led major science initiatives, including the strategic response to Mycoplasma bovis and the development of the Science for Farmers programme. His work emphasises the integration of scientific evidence into policy and operational frameworks, particularly in the primary industries.

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. The council is tasked with advising on science and innovation funding priorities, with a focus on economic impact and strategic investment. His leadership is instrumental in shaping a science system that is both rigorous and responsive to national needs

Richard Mooney
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.

Richard’s professional journey is underpinned by extensive expertise in various domains, including business strategy, business planning, regulatory assessment and lobbying, new business development, project management, and financial modelling. Richard’s multifaceted experiences and specialised skills make him a strong strategic leader known for his track record of achieving success in the telecommunications industry.

Paul Littlefair
CDTO, 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 while CIO at Livestock Improvement Corporation.

Now living in Wellington, Paul migrated to New Zealand from the UK in 1998, and has international experience working in UK, USA, Australia and the South Pacific.

Andrew Wiltshire
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.

Previously, as Senior Director of Market Access and Public Affairs at Medtronic Australasia, Andrew shaped significant healthcare policy reforms and led major industry negotiations. He currently serves on the Boards of ARCS Australia and Hearts4Heart, chairs the MTAA Digital Health Advisory Group and the APACMed Health Data Committee and is recognized as a thought leader in healthcare policy and digital transformation. Andrew holds an MBA from the University of New England and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, combining his clinical background as a Registered Nurse with extensive executive experience in the medical technology sector.

Mel Pearson
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. This work is a testament to her strong focus on programmes that drive positive social impact.

Mel’s previous roles include senior communications positions at NZ Post and the Capital & Coast and Hutt Valley DHBs, where she led complex change communication across system transformation programmes.

Mel’s career is defined by a commitment to human-centred, values-driven communication that builds trust and delivers lasting change.

Darren Douglass
Acting CITO, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

Darren Douglass is the Acting Chief Information Technology Officer at Health NZ, 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.

Darren excels in digital strategy development, investment management, and digital service delivery, with a passion for leveraging digital technology to enhance health outcomes and improve clinician experiences. Under his leadership, Health New Zealand has advanced its digital strategy focusing on simplifying and standardising its complex environment and enabling innovative solutions to drive efficiency and transformation in healthcare.

Susana Tomaz
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. With over two decades of experience across three education systems, she brings deep expertise in pedagogical leadership, educational innovation, and the integration of emerging technologies to drive meaningful, system-wide change.

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. Her work empowers both teachers and students to use AI purposefully, enhancing teaching and learning while developing the critical agency required to participate as active, informed citizens in an increasingly AI-driven world.

A Fellow of the International Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence (IRCAI) under the auspices of UNESCO, Susana contributes to national and global initiatives, including the Aotearoa AI Blueprint for Education (AI Forum NZ), EdTechNZ’s stewardship group, and the Open Education for a Better World programme. She also mentors educators globally through the Asia-Europe Foundation, on the integration of AI in education design and practice.

Susana led the development of Westlake’s pioneering STEAM programme, recognised by the OECD as a global exemplar in its Innovation in Career Pathways study. As an Across School Lead, she has driven curriculum transformation across a network of schools serving over 7,500 learners.

With a Master’s in Technological Futures specialising in AI in education, and a practitioner’s lens shaped by years of frontline educational leadership, she brings a unique ability to bridge policy and practice in meaningful, context-driven ways.

Jeremy Foster
Catalyst in Chief, Peakbalance

So what does ‘Catalyst in Chief’ mean?

It means is that the answers to every clients’ challenges, lay within their reach, before I get there. I call this ‘Group Wisdom’.

My approach is to help business leaders find their own best solutions to often complex and nuanced problems.

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.

I bring 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, including MENA (Middle East and North Africa), Europe and the US.

Megan Tapsell
GM Technology NZ & Pacific, 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, accountable for Payments, Business, Institutional and Markets delivery for ANZ Bank in NZ and across the Pacific.

External to ANZ, Megan holds multiple industry roles focused on growing emerging or Indigenous technology capabilities. She is a member of the Te Ao Matihiko a Māori Digital Board est. to position Māori as contributors, beneficiaries, and leaders, within the digital age.

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, working to promote, connect and strengthen the adoption of AI in NZ including a focus on diversity, inclusion, safe and ethical AI. These involvements ensure that a major focus of her work is bringing consciousness and ethics into technology and the people, enabling it with a specific focus on Māori and Pacific inclusion into the corporate and wider Aotearoa technology industry.

Laura Ross
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. When she’s not charting strategic security roadmaps, you’ll find her under sail navigating the waters of New Zealand and beyond.

Sebastian Faxér
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.

Anthony Watson
Country Manager, NZ and Pacific Islands – Visa Worldwide

Anthony has been with Visa for 15 years starting in Melbourne. Australia back in 2009 and has held a number of senior roles across Client Services, Product, Sales and Strategy, across several countries in Asia Pacific.

Anthony has a background in product development. risk, digital, business operations and enjoys leading markets in forming and executing payments strategies. He has a passion for supporting tech entrepreneurs in developing new business models that help to support growth in digital commerce and access to financial services.

Anthony was most recently Visa’s Country Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives, where he was responsible for establishing Visa’s presence in the area and enabling digital payments over a five-year period.

In his current role as Visa’s Country Manager for New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, Anthony is responsible for the development and execution of market strategies, business operations, P&L management, team culture and delivering against Visa’s leadership principles.

Ian McCrae
Founder, McCrae Tech

Bindi Norwell
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.

Danu Abeysuriya
CTO & Founder, 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.

Kevin Ross
Director, AI & 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.

Michael Dreyer
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.