TUANZ Media release: TUANZ Marks 40 Years of Tech Advocacy with Focus on Core Infrastructure, Responsible AI, and Governance

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AUCKLAND — Addressing members at yesterday’s Annual General Meeting, Technology Users Association of New Zealand (TUANZ) Board Chair Paul Littlefair highlighted four decades of independent advocacy for tech users across Aotearoa, while outlining a pragmatic policy agenda for the upcoming election year.

Reflecting on the organisation’s 40-year milestone since its founding during the telecommunications monopolies of 1986, Littlefair emphasized that while technology has transformed dramatically, the core imperative of ensuring user-centric outcomes remains unchanged. He detailed key governance and advocacy milestones from the 2025/26 financial year, including the publication of the Digital Priorities 2025 report drawn from 36 New Zealand CIOs and CTOs, presentations to Parliament’s Cross-Party Caucus on AI, and the delivery of critical capability initiatives like the NextGen Leadership Programme and FLINT network.

The members were also taken through the annual financial results, confirming a successful return to break-even following strict financial oversight and disciplined expenditure control in a challenging economic environment.

Looking ahead to the 2026 General Election, Littlefair framed TUANZ’s five core advocacy themes designed to guide political and industry leadership:

  • Access & Inclusion: Delivering reliable, affordable connectivity and digital skills for all New Zealanders.
  • Trust & Safety: Building stronger national cyber resilience and online safety frameworks.
  • Education to Employment: Constructing clear pathways into technology careers to resolve persistent capability gaps.
  • Responsible Generative AI: Championing practical, ethical AI adoption backed by clear corporate and national governance.
  • Transparent Data Use: Promoting responsible data stewardship and personal clarity for individuals.

“Digital systems are no longer secondary business tools; they are as vital to New Zealand’s economic resilience, equity, and productivity as physical infrastructure like roads and power grids,” said Paul Littlefair, Chair of the TUANZ Board. “As we enter an election year, TUANZ will leverage its 40-year independent standing to demand practical, non-partisan commitments that support technology users across every sector of Aotearoa.”

The AGM also confirmed the election of the 2026/27 Board of Directors, welcoming returning members Kari Jones (FMA), Andrew Cushen, David Mathieson (Cuscal Paymark), Garth Spencer (Tū Ātea), Paul Littlefair (Kiwibank) and welcoming new board member, Megan Matthews, while extending formal appreciation to outgoing board member Caitlin Metz for her service.  The Board also expressed their appreciation for the large number of members who stood for election and were unsuccessful this time.  ​​

Click here for the 2025/26 Annual Report tabled at the meeting.