tech users summit

Tech Users Summit 2026

Healthy foundations for a digital future

Programme Speakers Partners Register Partner Toolkit

We invite you to participate in the Tech Users Summit in October 2026 – the ultimate gathering of digital decision-makers, policy influencers, and technology users across Aotearoa.

New Zealand’s digital future depends on getting the foundations right. Cyber threats are rising, organistional data is fragmented, and the systems organisations rely on are under increasing pressure. The 2026 Tech Users Summit brings together Aotearoa’s technology and health sector leaders to confront these shared challenges and build the groundwork for a secure, connected digital future.

Co-hosted by the Tech Users Association of New Zealand (TUANZ) and the Digital Health Association (DHA), this is the only event that brings both communities into one room with a shared agenda and a direct line to government.

This year’s theme, ‘Healthy Foundations for a Digital Future’, spans the topics that matter to both sectors: cyber security, data governance, digital resilience, interoperability, and the infrastructure that underpins safe, effective technology use across health, enterprise, and government.

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 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: Tuesday 13 October
WHERE: Grand Millennium Hotel, Auckland

Platinum 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 2026 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

Opening keynote

Mark Darrow
Chair of Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora

10:00

Keynote Session

TBA

10:30

Morning Tea

11:00

TUANZ Session

TBA

11:30

TUANZ Session

TBA

12:00

TUANZ Session

TBA

12:30

Lunch

13:30

Interactive Session

TBA

14:00

TUANZ Session

TBA

14:30

TUANZ Session

TBA

15:00

Afternoon Tea

15:30

Political Panel

TBA

16:00

Keynote: Premier Partner

TBA

16:30

Ministerial Keynote

Hon Penny Simmons
Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology

17:00

Closing Comments

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 2026 Speakers

Hon Penny Simmons
Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology

Penny Simmonds is the Minister for Tertiary Education, Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology and Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment. She was elected the MP for Invercargill in 2020.

Prior to her election to Parliament, Penny was Chief Executive of Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) and served as an advisory board member of Venture Southland. Penny was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to education, sport and the community in the 2016 New Years’ Honours list.

Mark Darrow
Chair, Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora

Mark Darrow is an experienced independent Board Chair with extensive knowledge across many sectors. He is currently Chair of Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora, Civil Aviation Authority, TSB Bank, Armstrong’s and PB Tech, and Independent Trustee for several private Trusts.

Previous Board roles have included Inland Revenue, Auckland University of Technology, MTF Finance, Waka Kotahi (NZTA), Counties Manukau DHB, Primary ITO, The Lines Company, Leighs Construction, Sime Darby NZ, Charlies Group, Trustees Executors, MTA, VTNZ, Auckland Transport and Eke Panuku.

He is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors, a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and a Justice of the Peace of New Zealand.

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.

Stella Ward
CEO, Digital Health Association

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.”