Tristan Ilich

Board Chair

Tristan is passionate about Digital, IoT and Advanced Technologies which can create real human, business and social benefits. As a Chartered Professional Engineer by background, and with a strong focus on project delivery and client service excellence, Tristan is a recognised Data & Telco industry leader with over 20 years experience in NZ, Australia and the UK.

Tristan has a proven track record in the area of governance, project directorship and engineering design across wide range of Data & Telco infrastructure deployments for mobile and fixed networks, core nodes and exchanges, co-location facilities, data centres, disaster recovery facilities and mission critical systems for a range of public and private enterprises. Tristan is currently leading Aurecon’s Data & Telco business in NZ focusing on managing key client relationships as well as developing new service offerings to clients in IoT, Digital Advisory and Data & Telco Infrastructure Asset Management. Tristan is the TUANZ representative on the NZ IoT Alliance.

Tristan has been on the TUANZ Board since 2016, was Deputy Chair since November 2017 and Chair since November 2019.

Zoe Udy

Deputy Chair
Zoe grew up a digital native, further expanding her interest in technology by studying Computer Science and pursuing a career first in technical Project Management, and now in Solution Architecture. Having recently (2022) joined Te Whatu Ora, Zoe is increasingly passionate about the ways technology can help to provide positive and equitable health outcomes for all New Zealanders.

Education in STEM and providing pathways for students into careers in the tech and telco industries is also an area of interest and concern for Zoe. She spent several years as the Chair of FLINT Wellington, and believes that if students are engaged in technology education at key ages, and then nurtured through their early careers, we will build a diverse and capable workforce for many years to come.

Zoe was elected to the Board in 2019.

Kari Jones

Kari is an accomplished executive leader, recognized for her passion for leveraging technology as a powerful catalyst for positive change. A steadfast advocate for the customer, she is dedicated to enhancing the performance of New Zealand organisations by driving the adoption of emerging technologies, advanced analytics, and artificial intelligence.

A dynamic and hands-on leader, Kari is deeply committed to fostering and empowering high-performing teams. She is passionate about creating environments that nurture talent and encourage diverse thinking, challenging teams to view problems from multiple perspectives. Her leadership is grounded in a sense of responsibility to provide meaningful work that inspires and motivates others to realize their full potential.

With over 15 years of experience, Kari has partnered with leading public and private sector organisations to elevate their digital capabilities and analytics maturity. Her strategic initiatives have consistently delivered improved customer experiences, operational efficiency, and significant business outcomes.

Currently serving as Chief Data Officer at Health New Zealand, Kari has previously held senior leadership positions at Woolworths Group, NZ Post, Air New Zealand, NZME, and PwC. She also contributes to governance through her roles on the Statistics NZ Risk & Assurance Committee and the NZQA Information System Sub-Committee.

Matthew Harrison

Matthew is the founder and  Managing Director of Primo. He has a passion and thirst for bringing new technology and ideas to life all while closing the rural and urban digital divides in his region, the heartland of Taranaki.

He was the founder of the Wireless Internet Service Provider Association of NZ (WISPA) – bringing all of the NZ WISPs under one umbrella. Matthew has 3 beautiful daughters all growing up in a rural lifestyle on their farm, this country living gives him a unique insight into the real world technology barriers (or opportunities) facing rural New Zealanders today.

Matthew was elected to the Board in 2021.

Paul Littlefair

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.

Paul is passionate about our future leaders and has been fortunate to work and mentor a number of exceptional individuals. He believes initiatives such as the TUANZ FLINT programme and NextGen Leaders provide a much greater framework by which to help New Zealand grow and nurture the outstanding talent we have.

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.

Paul was appointed to the TUANZ Board in 2021.

Andrew Cushen

Andrew is an independent strategy and corporate affairs consultant, currently working across carbon forestry advocacy, internet policy and telecommunications strategy. He has previously worked in and around tech for about 20 years – in big and small telcos, domain name orgs, across mobile, satellite and fixed line. He has been co-chair of a government advisory group on mis- and disinformation, and MC at a number of TUANZ rural symposiums and tech users’ summits.

Andrew believes the user perspective in tech in Aotearoa has never been more vital. We are more than consumers or customers; this technology will shape our jobs, our homes, and our lives. The user perspective is the difference between tech that actually benefits us as people, rather than as just a revenue line.

Caitlin Metz 

Caitlin’s telecommunications career spans over 26 years, which has allowed her to have the opportunity to speak to many national organisations that understand the opportunities that technology presents, and thousands of individual users of technology giving her a good understanding of their needs and concerns. Caitlin enjoys being able to inform people about technology that is available and has been a keen supporter of TUANZ over many years.

Caitlin has worked on national broadband rollouts for fixed, fibre and wireless broadband (RBI1 and RBI2) as well as projects for new submarine fibre cables connecting New Zealand to the rest of the world.  Caitlin is currently the Engagement Manager for Connexa, helping shape the Towerco industry in New Zealand and working on New Zealand’s largest cell tower build programme to enable New Zealand communities to have better access to modern wireless and mobile services.

Caitlin was elected to the Board in 2022.

Garth Spencer

Garth Spencer is currently CFO for Tū Ātea Limited, a Māori telecommunications organisation. As an executive technologist with 30 plus years of proven growth/delivery experience in mobile and fixed critical-network telecommunications, he is passionate about driving Open-Access disruption in support of connectivity equality.

“Striking the balance between competition and scale is critical for a country the size of Aotearoa. I am a strong advocate for digital equity at all levels, increased competition through shared-network-infrastructure commercial models, and inclusivity through the acceleration of the development of Māori, Pacific Island and gender-equity in this sector. I am passionate about innovative, open-access commercial models to take connectivity issues off the table in rural/remote Aotearoa, so that we can start the REAL mahi!”

Garth also serves on the board of Canoe Racing New Zealand and is an active competitor for the sport.

Sid Kumar

Sid is passionate and enthusiastic about the combined power of technology and education.

His work at Network of Learning as Head of Product, and earlier as Head of Infrastructure at Spark NZ, speaks of digital inclusion. Sid is a champion for digital equity and believes no one should miss out. He has technology leadership experience that ranges from infrastructure, cybersecurity and IT services.

Sid was elected to the Board in 2023

Annaliese Atina

Annaliese is currently the Head of SMB, Farmside and Partners at One New Zealand. She has over 15 years’ experience within the telecommunications, technology and FMCG sectors.

Her experience in developing & executing strategy with strong governance and commercial frameworks has been built through a deep understanding of customer’s needs, developing capabilities to drive positive transformation and importantly conviction and grit to get things done.

Outside of Corporate work, Annaliese is a passionate advocate within the education sector coaching & mentoring principles along with providing strategy & financial governance to boards.

Annaliese was elected to the Board in 2023

David Mathieson

David firmly believes that technology can be a driver of real productivity gains for businesses and enhance the lives of New Zealanders by helping promote equity in areas from education, to healthcare, and economic development. David is a legal expert with over 20 years’ experience with a background in telecommunications, and currently shaping the future of Worldline NZ as their General Counsel. With a BA and LLB (Hons) from the University of Auckland. His career spans roles in New Zealand and the UK, notably with Openreach and EE. David’s expertise in navigating complex legal and regulatory environments is matched by his commitment to driving strategic initiatives. At TUANZ, David aims to leverage his deep industry insights to champion advancements in New Zealand’s telecommunications landscape.