Tech Users Summit 2025

Digital as Core Infrastructure

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 – Available

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

Ryl Jensen – CEO, Digital Health Association
Craig Young – CEO, Technology Users Association

09:30

Ministerial Keynote

Invitation sent to the Minister for Health

10:00

Keynote Session

10:30

Morning Tea

11:00

TUANZ AGM

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

11:15

Session One

To be announced

12:00

Session Two

To be announced

12:30

Lunch

13:30

Session Three

To be announced.

14:15

Session Four

To be announced

14:45

Short Presentation

To be announced

15:00

Afternoon Tea

15:30

Session Five

To be announced

16:00

Keynote: Premier Partner

To be announced

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 Video Presentation

Hon Shane Reti – Minister of Health

09:30

Keynote: The future tech in your health journey

Leigh Donoghue – Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora

10:00

The growth of off-site computing – what does it mean for New Zealand’s resiliency?

One of the key priorities for CIO’s in 2024 is the continued growth in their demand for off premise computing. Richard Adams will share on the current status of the market in New Zealand as well as discuss the risk that comes with relying completely on cloud solutions.

Richard Adams – CCL

10:20

Introducing RAD (Recycle a Device)

Bronwyn Scott – Digital Futures

10:30

Morning Tea

11:00

Keynote: Aging gracefully – Technology, Affordability, Dignity and the Future of Care

Tony Wai – Third Age Healthcare

11:15

Panel discussion and Q&A – Unlocking our digital future

Facilitator: Dr Tom Varghese – Aceso Health

John Macaskill-Smith – Spark Health

Bindi Norwell – ProCare

Niru Rajakumar – Orion Health

Dr Lara Hopley – Health New Zealand

12:00

Keynote: Leveraging Technology for Economic Stability and Productivity in Healthcare: Bridging Past Lessons with Future Promise

Sir Bill English

12:15

Audience participation – Gaining feedback from industry

12:30

Lunch

13:15

Keynote: Technology to address workforce challenges

Dr Frances Hughes

13:30

Panel Discussion and Q&A – Innovating in other parts of the sector – what opportunities are available for growth and advancement?

Facilitator: Mike Hill – Microsoft

Jess Morgan-French – Collaborative Aotearoa

Dr Mataroria Lyndon – Tend Health

Ta’ifau Malota – Mahitahi Hauora

Mark Phillips – Southern Cross Healthcare

14:10

Panel Discussion and Q&A – How do we advance the interoperability service model to support scalable solutions by working together and without disrupting each other?

Facilitator: John Williams – Healthpoint

Martin Lowis – Pharmacy Guild of NZ

Gabe Rijpma – Aceso Health

Samuel Wong – Health New Zealand

Erin Currie – Philips

14:50

Audience participation – Gaining feedback from industry

15:00

Afternoon Tea

15:30

Panel Presentations: How do we make sure everyone in our communities thrives?

With the continued drive to digitise government, transform ways of working, and improve health outcomes through the use of technology, it’s critically important that no one in Aotearoa is left behind. Panellists will discuss how to ensure everyone thrives and no one misses out on critical services.

Cathy Hardinge – Digital Seniors

Kris Dempster-Rivett – DECA

Jess Morgan-French – Collaborative Aotearoa

16:00

Keynote: Setting the scene for a digital future in Aotearoa

Google Fellow Urs Hölzle will explore the transformative power of AI, from its impact on industries to its potential to solve global challenges. Urs will also delve into the future of AI and its implications for New Zealand. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain insights from one of the leading voices in global tech innovation.

Urs Hölzle – Google Fellow

16:30

Ministerial Keynote

Hon Judith Collins – Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology

17:00

Closing Comments

Craig Young – Chief Executive Officer, TUANZ

17:15

Networking Drinks

17:30

TUANZ Awards

In 2024, TUANZ is proud to launch our new 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

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.

Ryl Jensen
CEO, Digital Health Assoc

TBA

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.