Kiwibank leader recognised for strategic vision, people-first approach, and driving business success through technology
Rumbold's win, in the category recognising a leader who strategically elevates IT to drive business success, resonated deeply within the industry. The judges lauded his ability to blend commercial, customer, and digital expertise, translating priorities into tangible results across both business and technical landscapes.
At the heart of Rumbold's leadership is a profound sense of purpose and a commitment to creating meaningful work for his Digital and Technology team. He fosters a culture built on championing the customer, providing a safe environment for open communication, prioritising wellbeing, and cultivating a strong sense of ambition. This ambition extends to inspiring and motivating his teams to adopt an owner's mindset, driving true transformation within Kiwibank.
The strength of Rumbold's team is underlined by a culture of continuous learning through innovative initiatives like 'Kohungas' (learning nests), self-forming practices, and knowledge guilds. His focus on attracting high-performing talent, capable of seamless cross-functional collaboration and deeply aligned with customer outcomes, has been instrumental in building a strong modern product and engineering culture at Kiwibank.
A prime example of this in action was the implementation of personalised in-app messaging using Atomic.io. This innovative technology not only delivered simpler and better experiences for customers but also enhanced team efficiency, bolstered cyber resilience, improved service availability, and streamlined development processes, leading to faster innovation and the release of new products and features.
Rumbold's acceptance speech offered a powerful reminder of the critical role technology professionals play in today's world. "As we have seen recently," he noted, "the world quickly comes to a grinding halt without safe, reliable, well-designed and deployed tech. It's the people in this room that keep this economy, businesses, charities and countries running, and it can be a really tough gig. So it's a really important one..."
His words serve as a powerful affirmation for the dedication and hard work of CIOs and their teams across New Zealand.
Inspired by Hamish's leadership? Do you know a CIO who is making a significant impact?
As we look towards the 2025 New Zealand CIO Awards, Hamish Rumbold's achievements inspire us to recognise and celebrate the next generation of visionary technology leaders. This is your opportunity to nominate a CIO who is strategically elevating IT, driving business success through innovation, inspiring their teams, and building a world-class digital enterprise.
Consider nominating a leader who:
- Strategically aligns technology initiatives with overarching organisational goals.
- Demonstrates a track record of innovation and delivers tangible business results.
- Inspires and motivates their teams to achieve exceptional outcomes.
- Effectively influences leadership and fosters a culture of collaboration.
- Is building a forward-thinking and robust digital enterprise.
Let's come together to celebrate the exceptional talent within New Zealand's technology leadership. Take this opportunity to recognise the individuals who are shaping the future of our digital landscape.
Join a powerful dialogue between global thought leaders and local experts at the New Zealand CIO Summit & Awards.
19-20 August | Viaduct Event Centre, Auckland