TUANZ Media Release: TUANZ to host symposium looking at the future of TV and media in this converging world

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1st August 2019

TUANZ, the association for users of digital technology and connectivity, is inviting anyone interested in hearing about the future of TV and media to the 2019 Digital Convergence Symposium on Tuesday 6 August.

TUANZ CEO, Craig Young says that the theme of this year’s event reflects the fast-changing nature of media and how users access content in 2019.

“The biggest talking point at the moment is how viewers will watch this year’s various world cups including Rugby, and how the continued convergence of communications and broadcasting will play out after October this year,” says Young.

Attendees will hear from several industry leaders including Carolyn Luey, Consumer Director at Vodafone, Michael Boggs, CEO of NZME and Kevin Kenrick, CEO of TVNZ. Representatives from Spark and Sky TV will also present their views during the afternoon.

New in 2019, the TUANZ Digital Convergence Symposium aims to help users make sense of the digital future where there is an increasing convergence of digital technologies. This convergence reached a tipping point in 2018 in relation to the use of broadband to deliver content to users from broadcasters and companies alike.

Those interested in attending can view the full programme and register for the event by going to the Events page on the TUANZ website.

About TUANZ

TUANZ is the group helping users make sense of the digital future through sharing experiences and knowledge about current and new technology. It is the voice of its members and all users in a complex digital world. TUANZ is the only truly independent and representative voice for all users, both corporate and individual.

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Companies must plan for the future of digital transformation

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Auckland – The future of work is changing at a staggeringly fast rate as digital transformation, automation and artificial intelligence take over many jobs that were previously performed by people, TechLeaders NZ chairperson David Kennedy says.

While this will make some human-driven roles obsolete, it will also create new jobs that will require different skills. This digital disruption of work happens quickly, which means companies need to be able to move fast in order to keep pace.

“For many businesses, their current staff may not possess the new skills that are going to be required in the future, so they must consider how they will future-proof their workforce,” Kennedy says in a TechLeaders NZ discussion paper just released today.

“One way for companies to ensure they have an adaptable workforce is to adopt a capability framework as a way of measuring and managing their human resources. Capability frameworks focus on continuous learning and future potential.

“Technology leaders from some of New Zealand’s largest organisations have discussed how capability frameworks can enable organisations to keep up with changes.

“The rapid rise in technology is changing the nature of work for many businesses. While these technological developments lead to increased productivity for companies, organisations are now struggling with how to keep their staff employed, engaged and able to do the changing roles required of them.

“The challenge is for businesses to prepare a future workforce which is highly adaptable. This involves ensuring that there is the infrastructure in place for people to upskill on-demand, without major time commitments.

“In order for businesses to manage their future workforce, they need to understand the skills and capability possessed by their current employees, so they adapt them to meet their changing needs.”

Traditionally, competency frameworks have been the way in which many organisations structure and manage their human resources.

Competency frameworks based on a person’s current skills can be cumbersome and complicated. Comparatively, capability frameworks are about continuous learning and potential. Capability frameworks focus on what is someone capable of doing in the future and their ability to get certain outcomes.

The implications of an accelerated pace-of-change needs to be factored in. If a business is changing rapidly, they need to understand how that impacts their staff’s needs. With the half-life of a skill decreasing sharply, they need to have a strategy in place to future-proof their staff.
“We recommend the large organisations should create the CV of the future. They need to articulate what they think are going to be the most valuable skills and attributes their employees may need going forward,” Kennedy says.

This will provide guidance to employees looking to ready themselves for future changes and help attract new talent.

“TechLeaders recognise that there is a need for education providers to offer quick, online and flexible micro-courses to upskill people who are the already in the workforce.

“While NZQA is working to introduce more micro-credentials into the market, education providers should move rapidly to pilot micro-training that may not need full NZQA credentialing to provide value.

“It will be incumbent on large organisations to clearly articulate capability development areas needed to provide guidance to education partners,” he says.

TechLeaders are part of the large NZTech Alliance which consists of more than 20 tech associations that represent more than 800 organisations.

For further information contact Make Lemonade editor-in-chief Kip Brook on 0275 030188.

Tech Leaders already seeing impact of automation

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Auckland – TechLeaders, a growing group of top executives from the country’s biggest companies and organisations, are backing the pioneering work of the Productivity Commission to try to better understand the impact of technology changes on the future of work in New Zealand.

Techleaders are part of the large NZ Tech Alliance which consists of more than 20 tech associations that represent more than 1000 Kiwi businesses and organisations.

David Kennedy, the TechLeaders chair, says the Productivity Commission was tasked by government to work out how New Zealand can manage the risks of fast-expanding tech changes and gauge the impact on the future of work and the workforce.

“The commission has launched an inquiry into tech change and the future of work in New Zealand, and last week released an issues paper seeking input on the future of the tech landscape for Kiwis,” he says.

“Having seen first-hand the impact that deploying new automation technologies can have on people’s jobs, we have pooled our collective thoughts to help develop best practice to minimise the impact.

“Last year TechLeaders created a simple set of digital principles for organisations working through digital transformation to remind them to put their people first. We believe that the changing landscape is creating a situation where companies must focus more on the human side of technology, both from a customer and employee standpoint.

“It is our strongly held belief that the prosperity of New Zealand is inextricably linked to how well our organisations embrace a digital future and how well they evolve.”

“We also know that skills needed by the work force are changing rapidly so getting the link between education and industry will be important, as will the ability of the education system to adapt and evolve faster.

“It is great to see the government taking this critical area so seriously with things like the Tripartite Forum and now this Productivity Commission study.

“As tech leaders, we are looking forward to supporting the Productivity Commission as it undertakes this work,” Kennedy says.

The TechLeaders form a comprehensive knowledge base from a cross section of New Zealand business, all of whom are actively involved in transforming their businesses, incorporating digital first approaches.

The TechLeaders’ executive is from organisations such as Auckland Transport, Downer, Fonterra, Fletcher Building and Westpac, which are at the tech coal face driving change.

For further information contact Make Lemonade editor-in-chief Kip Brook on 0275 030188.

Photo: David Kennedy

Be part of Scale-Up New Zealand

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In April, Callaghan Innovation launches Scale-Up New Zealand, a free online platform with verified information on Aotearoa New Zealand’s vibrant innovation ecosystem.

Created from a model that is hugely successful overseas, Scale-Up New Zealand will make it faster and easier for ambitious businesses to find and connect with people and capital and other help they need to grow.  

Scale-Up New Zealand will showcase our innovative businesses, along with the investors, incubators, accelerators, multinationals and others who support or partner with them.  It will also create opportunities for investors and multinationals to connect with innovative New Zealand businesses.

The platform will increase the profile of your company to a local and global audience, and it will make it faster and easier for you to connect with investors, incubators, accelerators and companies you could potentially partner with.  You will be able to use the platform to ask for facilitated introductions to key people and create meaningful connections.

Scale-Up New Zealand will also allow you to conduct market research and validation.  For example, you can analyse other companies in your industry or those in your target market, look at historic funding round information and improve your understanding of market trends in the New Zealand innovation ecosystem.

Learn more and register to be part of Scale-Up New Zealand.

We are TUANZ

TUANZ Media Release : Liz Gosling re-elected Chair of a gender balanced board at TUANZ

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5th December 2018

At the final TUANZ Board meeting of 2018, Liz Gosling was unanimously re-elected to continue in the role of Chair.  Liz is the Chief Information Officer at Auckland University of Technology  where she leads a team of 170 people and is responsible for information technology provision for AUT’s staff and students.  Her role is focused on contributing to the University’s strategic direction, creating and executing ICT strategy, building collaborative relationships with key stakeholders across the University and ensuring that ICT delivers excellent services and value.

“I am thrilled to lead a team of elected individuals from within our base of members who represent the users of digital technology and connectivity in New Zealand.  I’m also incredibly proud to be the Chair of a gender balanced board after the results of the most recent board election,” said Ms. Gosling.

At the recent AGM, the results of the board elections were announced with new board member Theresa Corballis of HP Enterprise. She joins Malcolm Condie from Livestock Improvement Corporation and Vaughan Baker of MyRepublic Group, both being re-elected.  This gives the board of 10 members an equal number of male and female representatives.

“We are also incredibly pleased with the reaction to our new look for both TUANZ and our future leaders programme, FLINT (flint.nz).  We have a proud history and have refreshed our messaging so that people know that we’re the organisation for users of digital technology and connectivity.  We still want to see NZ in the top 10 countries for the use of digital technology and feel re-energized ourselves for the next period of change in the digital environment,” Ms.Gosling went on to say.

Other board members were re-appointed to the following roles:

  • Tristan Ilich, Aurecon – Deputy Chair
  • Jenna Woolley, MIT – Contact Office
  • Malcolm Condie, Individual Member – Finance Chair

For more information about the TUANZ board please see our Board page and  for more information about past board Chairs and members please see Our Past on the TUANZ website.

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TUANZ Media Release: TUANZ welcomes next steps in holistic review of NZ mobile market

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31st August 2018

Following on from the earlier scope paper covering a review of the mobile market, TUANZ welcomes the broad range of questions raised in the Commerce Commissions Issues Paper released today.

“We are really pleased to see the holistic approach being taken by the Commission in this study.  We have been calling for a fully independent study of the market structure for mobile services and so it’s positive to see the range of questions being raised in this papers.” Said Craig Young , CEO of TUANZ.

“We reiterate that our members have been clear to us that while they recognise that the NZ market has delivered improved competition and that there are areas we are well ahead of in comparison to other countries, they want to see this review as being comprehensive addressing the questions of where we are and what we need to ensure that strong competition remains in this market.” Said Mr Young.

The Chair of TUANZ, Liz Gosling (CIO Auckland University of Technology) reiterated that “As the truly independant representative group of users of these services, we will continue to fully engage with our members to ensure that their views are represented to the Commission as they undertake the next steps in this review.”

 

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TUANZ Media Release: High quality connectivity remains critical to our rural future

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12th June 2018

With National Fieldays only a day away, TUANZ has today reiterated the importance of a maintained focus on continued improvement to connectivity in rural New Zealand.

“While last week’s news that the Government has successfully brought forward the completion date of the latest round of the rural broadband initiative is welcome, we have yet to see the detail around what will be delivered and by when,” said Craig Young, CEO.

“Technology continues to develop at a fast pace and developments in areas such as the Internet of Things (IoT) provide tremendous opportunities for rural NZ in improving farm productivity, compliance and general lifestyle improvements. I expect a wide range of IoT to be on display at Fieldays, and the need for improved connectivity to be a discussion point.”

To ensure sustained pressure on the Government and its rural broadband initiative partners, TUANZ is again hosting its annual Rural Connectivity Symposium, to take place on 26 June at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

The event will bring together representatives from agriculture, telecommunications and finance industries with rural end users and rural leaders of the future to discuss the current capability and future potential of connectivity in rural New Zealand.

Craig Young says the day will provide the opportunity to hear from and engage with a range of speakers and industry experts about how connectivity driven digital technology can improve outcomes for rural healthcare, business and day to day life.

Attendees will be actively involved during the symposium, with three workshop sessions, and panel discussions throughout the day. The partners will also publish a post-symposium summary of the major themes from the day, both for distribution to attendees and to help shape the thinking of internet providers and government policy makers.

This year’s Symposium is presented by TUANZ in partnership with Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand (RHAANZ), Rural Women NZ, Dairy Women’s Network, NZ Young Farmers and Federated Farmers NZ.

TUANZ is also pleased to welcome the Minister for Communications, Hon Clare Curran, who will speak on behalf of the Government in a guest address.

If you are interested in helping rural communities be part of the 21st century in New Zealand, you can register to attend on the TUANZ website.

The symposium is on Tuesday 26th June from 9am–5pm, at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium, and will be followed by networking drinks. Registration costs $169 for TUANZ, RHAANZ, Rural Women NZ, Dairy Women’s Network, Federated Farmers NZ and NZYF members, or $369 for non-members.

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WHO IS TUANZ?

We are the uniquely independent gathering of users.

TUANZ has over thirty years of bringing the users of ICT into the debate about the future of the digital economy. Much of what we take for granted today around choice of service comes from the work we, with our members, have done and continue to do.

We are a powerful channel to decision makers and developing leaders in this sector.

We have a highly engaged community of over 1,400 individuals working in our member organisations in roles that use or are responsible for digital technology.

 

Connected

We provide a forum to encourage New Zealanders to make the most of the opportunities available in the digital economy.

 

Insight

We are leaders of informed, credible and independent advice on user expectations of digital technology and policy.

 

Represented

We advocate for our members including the need for ubiquitous high-quality connectivity across New Zealand and are the go-to experts for media and government on the increasing use of digital technologies

Mobile Market

TUANZ Media Release: TUANZ welcomes the broader scope of the Commerce Commissions mobile market review

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27th March 2018

TUANZ welcomes the broader scope of the Commerce Commissions mobile market review.

TUANZ welcomes today’s release of the scope for the review of the mobile market that the Commerce Commission will undertake this year.

“We have been consistent over the last few years in calling for a fully independent study of the market structure for mobile services and so it’s positive to see the final scope of the Commission’s review reflect a number of our recommendations.” Said Craig Young , CEO of TUANZ.

“Our members have been clear to us that while they recognise that the NZ market has delivered improved competition with things such as the introduction of a third network, and investment in the latest technology, they want to see a full review of where we are and what we need to ensure that strong competition remains In this market.” Said Mr Young.

The Chair of TUANZ, Liz Gosling (CIO Auckland University of Technology) said “As the independent representative group of users of these services, we will fully engage with our members to ensure that their views are represented to the Commission as they undertake this review.”

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FLINT

TUANZ Media Release: Enable And TUANZ to Develop Future Technology Leaders

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8th February 2018

Christchurch fibre broadband provider, Enable, is the inaugural foundation sponsor of the Christchurch chapter of FLINT, or Future Leaders in Technology, a national leadership programme run by TUANZ (Telecommunications Users Association of New Zealand) that provides networking development opportunities for the next generation of technology industry leaders.

After successful FLINT chapters in Auckland, Wellington and Hamilton, TUANZ CEO Craig Young is excited to launch in Christchurch this month.

“FLINT is a national programme with a local focus – each region has its own flavour and we work to establish regional leadership teams who can create their own events, initiatives and development opportunities that meet the needs of young technology professional in the region,” said Mr Young.

“Partnering with a local company that’s future-proofing the city’s technology infrastructure by delivering fibre broadband services to Christchurch is a natural fit. Enable have been generous to invest in these young people – it’s critically important for the future of our industry.

“We have tremendous talent in all pockets on New Zealand, the FLINT programme is bringing that out so New Zealand can continue to be dynamic and relevant at the forefront of the digital revolution now and in the future.”

Enable Chief Executive, Steve Fuller, is looking forward to supporting FLINT and the benefits it will have on the technology industry in Christchurch.

“Our vision for Christchurch is for it to be a connected, innovative, and globally competitive city,” said Mr Fuller.

“Our world-class fibre services play a key role in realising this vision. Helping innovative and smart minds working in our city to unlock new economic and social opportunities is absolutely an essential part also and we are proud to be involved. We need to ensure we make Christchurch a place where this talent can flourish and achieve amazing things.”

The Christchurch chapter of FLINT will be launched on 21 February at Dux Central. Membership is open to individuals under 35 who are employed by TUANZ members or are involved in the technology space. Membership is free as is entry to events, simply visit https://tuanz.org.nz/future-leaders/ to join the local chapter.

TUANZ and Enable encourage young Christchurch-based professionals with a passion for technology to become involved.

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TUANZ Media Release: Liz Gosling elected new Chair at TUANZ

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8th December 2017 

At this week’s TUANZ Board meeting, Liz Gosling was unanimously elected to take up the role of Chair.  Immediate past Chair, Pat O’Connell had earlier indicated that it was time to hand the responsibility on to the next person.  Liz is the tenth chair since incorporation in 1986, and the second woman to chair the organisation.

Liz is the Chief Information Officer at AUT University where she leads a team of 170 people, and is responsible for information technology provision for AUT’s staff and students.  Her role is focussed on contributing to the University’s strategic direction, creating and executing ICT strategy, building collaborative relationships with key stakeholders across the University and ensuring that ICT delivers excellent services and value.

Liz studied Computer Science at the University of Westminster in London, and holds an MBA (Human Resources Management), Distinction from AUT. She has worked in the IT industry for over three decades, in New Zealand, the US, UK and Europe, in a variety of roles in commercial and not for profit organisations, and in both vendors and client companies.

“I am incredibly mindful of the responsibility of taking on this role given the hard work of all the previous incumbents over the last thirty years.” said Liz.  “ I am passionate about the need for all New Zealanders to access high quality connectivity, and about the transformative power of education.  I will be bringing that passion and experience as a CIO in highly transformative environment to the role of Chair.  I look forward to working with Craig Young, the CEO and the rest of the team to continue to look to the future in making sure all New Zealanders can make the most of the connected future.”

The Board at their meeting noted the significant contribution made by Pat over his time as Chair of TUANZ and made a presentation on behalf of the members.  Pat was elected seven times over seven years by the wider membership of the organisation as Chair and was recently returned to the board for a further two year term.

Other board positions elected at the meeting are:

  • Tristan Illich, Aurecon – Deputy Chair

  • Jenna Woolley, MIT – Contact Office

  • Malcolm Condie, Individual Member – Finance Chair

For more information about the new TUANZ board please see our Board page and  for more information about past board Chairs and members please see Our Past on the TUANZ website.

 

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