NZTech Inform – Changing of the guard

Creating collective impact across our ecosystem

Kia ora,

Last week, after six incredible years of dedicated unpaid service, NZTech’s Chair, Mitchell Pham, passed the baton to the next generation. Mitchell has worked tirelessly with the NZTech management team and the NZTech Board, guiding the growth of NZTech. You can read more about the evolution of NZTech in our recent report. However, during Mitchell’s term we have grown from representing 423 members to 1,780 and from a single association to a Tech Alliance of 20 associations. During this time our team has quadrupled and our revenues have grown five times. We have members creating impact throughout the tech ecosystem and our 2022 Annual Report captures the most recent highlights. Thank you Mitchell for your excellent work and inspiring leadership! We look forward to continuing to work with you in your role as Deputy Chair.

It is with great pleasure that I introduce NZTech’s new Chair, Delphine Ducaruge. Delphine is the General Manager of SiteM8, an NZTech startup member. Delphine was elected to the Board in 2020 and has been an active member of the Finance Sub Board. Having spent years actively maintaining a very diverse Board, it is exciting to now be working with NZTech’s first female (and French) Chair. Congratulations Delphine and welcome!

On another note, the Government is collectively the largest user of products and services from the tech sector. However, at the same time they are also the largest employer of people with digital skills in New Zealand. Like the rest of the tech ecosystem, Government agencies have also been struggling to find tech talent. To attract talent they have to compete with the very firms they often rely on to deliver them tech services. This is a tricky balance and one which most agencies are considering as they try to maintain good supplier relationships. This is the subject of the next NZTech member Connect event in Wellington, on 17 November, Strengthening the Government and Tech Relationship. If you’re in Wellington please join me at Capgemini for an update from the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) on the Marketplace and common capabilities, and from a Government CIO on getting the balance right.

This Friday, I am also joining a panel of speakers at the Centre of Digital Enterprise (CODE) at the Auckland University Business School to debate whether New Zealand is a Tech-Driven Sustainable Nation. Come and check it out.

Ngā mihi
Graeme Muller
CEO
NZTech