NZ's Top Digital Leaders Thriving Through Disruption to Become the 2025 NZ CIO Awards Finalists
The judges of the 2025 NZ CIO Awards are proud to announce the finalists across seven key categories, celebrating the best and brightest in New Zealand's technology and digital landscape. These awards recognise the exceptional leadership, innovation, and strategic impact of individuals and teams driving digital transformation across Aotearoa.
The judges of the 2025 NZ CIO Awards are proud to announce the finalists across seven key categories, celebrating the best and brightest in New Zealand's technology and digital landscape. These awards recognise the exceptional leadership, innovation, and strategic impact of individuals and teams driving digital transformation across Aotearoa.
Finalists were selected based on the judging review of their written submissions. Judging focuses on the intersection of business and technology for both individuals and teams that have significantly contributed to driving outstanding digital transformation initiatives for the organisations they work for.
All finalists are interviewed by the independent judging panel representing the top echelon of New Zealand’s ICT and business community, from former award winners to leading executives and educators.
“In a year marked by economic uncertainty and enormous change in the digital landscape, this year's finalists epitomise the definition of creating digitally fueled organisations of excellence" says Louise Francis, Country Manager, IDC New Zealand "Their ability to innovate and evolve to deliver meaningful impact, across Aotearoa, New Zealand, is nothing short of inspiring. They have not only navigated the enormous challenges we all face in 2025, but turned them into opportunities for transformation. These awards recognise each of our finalists leadership and commitment to shaping the future through digital innovation and we congratulate all those who have been selected as finalists for the 2025 New Zealand CIO Awards."
The winners will be unveiled at the NZ CIO Awards Gala Dinner on Tuesday 19 August 2025, hosted by broadcaster and commentator, Matt Heath at Viaduct Events Centre, Auckland.
New Zealand CIO of the Year
This award celebrates a senior ICT leader who exemplifies strategic thinking, innovation, and transformative leadership. They will demonstrate innovation and key successes achieved in the past 12 months with an eye on digital leadership in the future. They will also be able to show how technology and digital will enable their organisation’s overall business strategy.
- Alexandra Smart - Chief Technology Officer, Southern Cross Travel Insurance
- Hamish Archer - Chief Digital Officer, WEL Networks
- Sean O'Donoghue - Chief Information Officer, BestStart Educare
- Stephen Kurzeja - Chief Technology Information Officer, 2degrees
Emerging ICT Leader, Sponsored by ManageEngine
This award recognises and celebrates exceptional talent in New Zealand's ICT sector- future leaders under 35 who are demonstrating outstanding ICT initiative and leadership.
- Fiona Millar - Digital Transformation Manager, Christchurch International Airport
- Henry Chen - Principal Analyst and Data Scientist, Yes Energy
- Stasha Rmandic - Head of Analytics and Insights, Whakarongorau Aotearoa
Business Transformation through Digital and ICT, Sponsored by Adobe
This award celebrates organisations that have successfully planned and executed business transformation initiatives by leveraging digital and disruptive technologies. It recognises those that have strategically integrated these innovations to deliver outstanding outcomes aligned with their broader business goals.
- 2degrees
- AA Insurance
- Foodstuffs South Island
Excellence in Customer Value
This award celebrates technology teams that redefine customer engagement, delivering increased levels of customer value and experience through a refreshed approach to user engagement. - Auckland Transport
- Fisher & Paykel Healthcare
- Lightwire
Innovation Leadership through an Emerging Technology
This award celebrates an organisation that is redefining innovation by harnessing emerging technologies to shape the future of their industry. It recognises those leveraging an emerging technology to create new business models, transform processes, or develop new products and services.- Hamilton City Council
- Whakarongorau Aotearoa
Community Tech Champions, Sponsored by NZME
This award honours outstanding initiatives that promote digital equity, diversity, and accessibility to technology and tech careers in Aotearoa, New Zealand. These initiatives may include programmes for women in tech, Māori and Pasifika in tech, regional or community projects, accessibility for people with disabilities, youth engagement, and lifelong learning. Best ICT Team Culture & Inclusion, Sponsored by Juniper Networks
This award recognises outstanding ICT team culture, recruitment, inclusion, and diversity practices that drive team and organisational success. These organisations prioritise recruitment, retention, and training future talent as essential to building high-performing ICT teams.Sponsor: Juniper Networks
Outstanding Contribution to Technology and Business in New Zealand, Sponsored by Sharp
This award honours a high-profile business leader from either the public or private sector whose contributions have significantly and uniquely impacted the New Zealand or global business community through information technology. The recipient is selected by the judging panel and will be announced at the CIO Awards Gala Dinner. Secure Your Seat at the CIO Awards Gala Dinner!
Don't miss your chance to celebrate excellence and network with New Zealand's top tech talent at the highly anticipated CIO Awards Gala Dinner! Join us for an unforgettable evening as we reveal the winners and honor the incredible achievements of our industry's leaders. This is more than just a dinner; it's an opportunity to connect, be inspired, and celebrate the future of technology in New Zealand. Tickets are limited, secure yours today to ensure your place at this premier event!
Join a powerful dialogue between global thought leaders and local experts at the New Zealand CIO Summit & Awards.
20-21 August | Spark Arena, Auckland
