Published on the 27/10/2022 | Written by Heather Wright

The IT leaders and companies vying for glory this year are…

CIOs from Southern Cross Health Society, Tū Ora Compass Health, Transpower and WorkSafe NZ will be vying for top honours at this year’s New Zealand CIO Awards, with organisations including Foodstuffs, Selwyn District Council ProCare Network and Tonkin+Taylor aiming for glory in the company awards.

“Finalists have exhibited how a clear vision and purpose for challenging the status quo has prepared them to steer through disruption.”

The finalists for the six awards were announced last night, with the awards themselves taking place in Christchurch on November 29. 

This year’s finalists for the awards, which honour innovation and success within New Zealand’s business IT sphere, cover a broad sweep of Kiwi business, with IDC New Zealand country manager and awards judge Louise Francis saying as we move into the era of digital business, the finalists are showing what the future will look like.

“Every one of the finalists have exhibited how a clear vision and purpose for challenging the status quo has prepared them to steer through the storms of disruption we all continue to face,” Francis says. 

“They have demonstrated not only industry leading excellence, but also a holistic approach to digital innovation and solutions so their customers can thrive, employees are valued and communities are supported.”

In the running for New Zealand CIO of the Year – won last year by Vodafone’s Andrew Haddad – are Roxanne Salton from Southern Cross Health Society, Tū Ora Compass Health’s Alistair Vickers, Transpower’s Corbus Nel, and Quin Carver from WorkSafe NZ. 

Southern Cross Health Society is also a finalist for the Best ICT Team Culture and Inclusion category, alongside BNZ, Foodstuffs North Island and Selwyn District Council.

Also vying for wins in more than one category is Auckland Council. It’s up against ProCare Network, Steel and Tube Holdings and Tonkin+Taylor for the Business Transformation through Digital and ICT award, and will go head to head with Christchurch City Council and Computer Recycling for the Sustainability through Technology award.

Christchurch City Council is also in the running for an award in the Community Tech Champions category, alongside Digital Future Aotearoa and Tōnui Collab Charitable Trust. 

Meanwhile the only other individual award – for Emerging ICT Leader, a category reserved for IT talent under 33 years of age – sees Desiree Suligan from Tower Insurance, Saba Samiei from MACSO and Simon Wilkinson from Jones Family Business as finalists.

Finalists are selected based on a judging review of written submissions before being interviewed by an independent judging panel which includes entrepreneur and company director John Hold, independent director Susan Paterson and NZTE CDO Richard Kay.

The full list of finalists is: 

New Zealand CIO of the Year, for positioning the role of CIO strategically within the company and demonstrating innovation and success and showing how this fits with the company’s overall business strategy.

Sponsor: CompTIA

·       Roxanne Salton, Southern Cross Health Society

·       Alistair Vickers, Tū Ora Compass Health

·       Cobus Nel, Transpower 

·       Quin Carver, WorkSafe NZ

Emerging ICT Leader recognising exceptional ICT talent by professionals under 33 years of age. 

Sponsor: 2degrees

·       Desiree Suligan, Tower Insurance

·       Saba Samiei, MACSO

·       Simon Wilkinson, Jones Family Business

 

Community Tech Champions for outstanding initiatives promoting digital inclusion and educating, exposing and engaging New Zealanders previously underrepresented in the ICT sector.

·       Christchurch City Council

·      Digital Future Aotearoa

·       Tōnui Collab Charitable Trust

 

Best ICT Team Culture & Inclusion recognising outstanding ICT team culture, recruitment, inclusion, and diversity practices that contributes to the team’s success.

Sponsor: Juniper Networks

·       Bank of New Zealand (BNZ)

·       Foodstuffs North Island

·       Selwyn District Council

·       Southern Cross Health Society

 

Business Transformation through Digital and ICT honouring the achievements of organisations that have successfully planned and executed a business transformation initiative or initiatives through the use of digital and disruptive technologies producing a range of benefits for the organisation.

Sponsor: Clearpoint

·       Auckland Council

·       ProCare Network Ltd

·       Steel and Tube Holdings Limited

·       Tonkin+Taylor

 

Sustainability through Technology honouring the achievements of organisations that have successfully planned and executed a sustainability initiative through the use of technology. 

SPONSOR: Younity

·       Auckland Council

·       Christchurch City Council

·       Computer Recycling Ltd

The recipient of the Sharp-sponsored Outstanding Contribution to ICT in New Zealand award given to a high profile business person whose contribution has significantly and uniquely impacted the greater New Zealand or global business community from an IT sense, will also be named at the Awards. 

The winners will be announced at the CIO Awards Night on 29 November at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, as part of this year’s CIO Summit. Tickets are available here.