2025 Summit Agenda

New Zealand CIO Summit MC:
Kate Rodger <Hidden>

Kate Rodger is Newshub's Entertainment Editor and Film Reviewer, a role she has cherished for over 15 years. Her job has taken her worldwide, covering film premieres, awards ceremonies, movie sets, and interviews. Kate has reported live from the Oscars, BAFTAs, and major film festivals, interviewing stars like Meryl Streep, Tom Cruise, and Brad Pitt. During COVID-19, she conducted Zoom interviews with Angelina Jolie and Benedict Cumberbatch. Kate has hosted her show "Reel Late with Kate," supported local filmmakers, and live-hosted the World Premiere of The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. She also contributes to various magazines and radio shows

2025 Summit Agenda

Day 1 - 19 Aug

Day 2 - 20 Aug

Day 1 - 19 Aug

Project Implementation Showcase

8:30	Registration and coffee
9:00	Mihi Whakatau
9:10	Opening of CIO Summit 2025
9:25	Keynote: The CIO Agenda - The future of the IT industry Rick Villars, Group Vice President Worldwide Research, IDC (United States)
10:00	The IDC NZ CIO Interview Louise Francis, Country Manager NZ and AP Public Sector Research Lead, IDC (New Zealand) Linus Lai, Chief Analyst - Australia and New Zealand, IDC (Australia) Rick Villars, Group Vice President Worldwide Research, IDC (United States) Facilitated by: Lee Rennick, Vice President, Tech Evangelist, IDC (Canada)
10:30	Morning Break
11:00	Session TBC
11:30	The geopolitical and economic update: The current economic trading conditions and its implications for technology Understanding the current geopolitical environment and how this impacts technology in Aotearoa New Zealand The effect of policy reforms that are transforming technology services
12:00	Innovation Leaders Panel: Technology First - Lessons from the ground floor Creating a technology as an enabler mindset Unrelenting pursuit of customer experience and meeting the needs of the market Staying abreast of the latest in technology innovation and building teams poised to take advantage of next-gen technology How can CIO’s leverage the start up ecosystem to access cutting edge tech solutions Balancing experimentation with long term sustainability and function
12:45	Lunch
1.30	Roundtables Independently facilitated by technology experts, attendees get to personalise their CIO experience by booking in on a topic that suits their needs. Topics will be released closer to the time of the event. Round 1: 1.30pm - 2.15pm Round 2: 2.20pm - 3.05pm
2:00	Project Implementation Showcase This series of presentations will provide a spotlight on the practical learnings and elements of technology projects as they are brought from ideation through to fruition.
3.00	Panel discussion: Redefining customer journeys through digital platforms and tools Understanding and embracing the expectations of customers The risks and rewards from using AI for personalising customer experiences on digital platforms Fostering closer relationships between IT and Marketing to drive customer value Innovating traditional customer experience pathways to improve metrics around churn, engagement and satisfaction
3.40	Afternoon Break
4.10	Session TBC
4.10	Keynote: Getting things done: Examining the reasons why projects disappoint, run late and ultimately fail
5:30	Closing remarks from the MC
5:30	Networking function
7:00	CIO Gala Dinner & Awards

Day 2 - 20 Aug

9.00	Opening of Day 2 of the NZ CIO Summit 2024
9:05	Keynote: Working with change while staying resilient, decisive and adaptable Overcoming resistance and handling legacy mindsets Embedding cultures of innovation and adaptability both within the tech team and the wider organisation Strategies for breaking down legacy mindsets and turning towards growth oriented thinking Exploring the key leadership skills required to drive change, navigate uncertainty and deliver successful project outcomes Inspiring teams with clear, transparent, and motivational messaging
10.00	Session TBC
10:30	Morning Break
11.00	Emerging Leaders' Forum - 2024 NZ CIO Summit What does it take to be a CIO? Connect, network, and grow your skills at this inaugural forum at NZ’s leading conference for senior ICT leaders. With a focus on connection and inspiration, this forum will examine how to become a CIO in today’s tech environment – the skills, the attributes and the attitudes required to lead teams, projects, and departments. Limited to 50 participants, this exclusive forum will be facilitated by David Kennedy, who previously held the roles of COO at Cin7 and CIO at Transaction Services Ltd, now actively coaches unicorns, guides organisations, and mentors individuals for sustainable growth and innovation. For more information or to register your interest please visit here
11.00	Creating the ultimate high-performance team What is a high-performance team and why does everyone want to have one? Building high-performing teams across barriers – addressing areas for growth and collaboration Examining the work cultures required to create a truly high-performing team Building platforms of trust and accountability Communicating and clarifying purposes and visions, and continuing
11.30	CIO leadersPanel: Bridging the gap Between IT and business for seamless collaboration The evolving role of CIOs in enterprise governance and risk management Aligning business and IT culture: bridging silos to drive organisational success Nurturing IT talent with career pathways and leadership pipelines The leadership skills required to navigate next gen transformation via AI powered technology
12.00	The Cyber Threat Landscape: Building resilience against Cyber threats and cultivating security awareness What strategies are organisations using to balance innovation with security? How can businesses adapt to AI-driven security risks without overhauling existing frameworks? Proactive threat detection using AI and predictive analytics Zero trust architecture: what every CIO needs to know What are the most critical areas of focus for cybersecurity leaders in 2025?
12:30	Lunch
1.30	Panel: The AI use case: Supporting business objectives and strategic AI adoption Agentic AI – how to navigate this in the context of our technology team Finding the balance between human decision-making and automation – identifying the areas where AI leverage will develop that competitive edge How is AI rewriting the tech team – the impact of AI disruption on IT roles Educating leadership teams around the risks, potentials and the ethical implications of AI
2.15	Navigating privacy, data, and surveillance: Ethical and legal considerations for CIOs in New Zealand As digital transformation accelerates, CIOs face increasing pressure to balance innovation with compliance and ethical responsibilities around data. This session explores New Zealand’s privacy laws, the implications of surveillance, and best practices for CIOs to navigate data governance in an evolving regulatory and ethical landscape.
2.45	Closing keynote speaker: The e-government opportunity – Connectivity, data and security
3.30	Summary remarks and end of summit

International Keynotes

Learn from global ICT leaders

The CIO Summit brings together globally renowned tech leaders and visionaries. Gain insights from the best minds shaping the future of technology, all in one place. Network with industry peers and share ideas, but also learn from international expertise directly applicable to the New Zealand market. It's your chance to bridge the gap and propel your tech strategy forward.

Meet the 2024 international keynote speakers.