Published on the 20/07/2023 | Written by Heather Wright

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

Twenty-one individuals and companies will be vying for top honours at the New Zealand CIO Awards next month, with a who’s who of leaders and companies vying for six hotly contested awards.

Finalists for the awards, organised by IDC and Brightstar, were scheduled to be announced at a CIO Awards Finalist event this evening, however the shooting today at a central Auckland construction site in the same block as the venue for the planned event has seen the finalist evening cancelled.

In the running for the top award of CIO of the Year are Sean Bishop, chief digital officer at Champan Tripp; Miles Fordyce, Real Estate Institute of NZ (REINZ) chief digital officer; New Zealand Rugby Commercial chief information and technology officer, Angela Nash; and University of Canterbury chief digital officer Michael Oulsnam.

“It is extraordinary how fast Aotearoa’s organisations are transitioning to a digital business.”

REINZ and the University of Canterbury are among those to be named finalists in multiple categories, with REINZ also in contention for the Business Transformation through Digital and ICT award, alongside Auckland Council, Fisher & Paykel Appliances and Procare Network.

The University of Canterbury, meanwhile has a second individual in the running for glory, with Tom Caunce a finalist for Emerging ICT Leader, alongside Farhein Akmal from the Ministry of Health and Alex Corkin at Datacom.

The University is also a finalist in the Community Tech Champions category.

The annual awards, now in their seventeenth year, recognise individuals and teams who have shown leadership, innovation and foresight in their contribution to the digital transformation of both ICT and business functions.

Both the public and private sector are well represented across the awards, with IDC New Zealand country manager and awards judge Louise Francis noting that the calibre of finalists this year has been ‘outstanding’.

A record number of nominees were received in several categories, Francis says.

“It is extraordinary how fast Aotearoa’s organisations are transitioning to a digital business with the finalists of the 2023 CIO Summit Awards illuminating the pathway to success for their peers.”

Francis says the most striking observation from this year’s nominations has been the emphasis on how the wellbeing of people, community inclusion and environment are central to the consideration of what digital business looks like in Aotearoa and its thriving digital economy.

Finalists are selected based on written submissions before being interviewed by an independent judging panel, which this year includes Richard Kay from the Department of Conservation and NZTE, and former CIO of the Year winners Paul Littlefair and Alistair Vickers.

As well as the six awards categories, the recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to ICT in New Zealand award will also be named at the gala awards dinner in Auckland on 15 July.

Francis says while the hard call was made to cancel this evening’s Awards Finalist event IDC will be looking to celebrate the finalists in a fitting way at a later date.

The full list of finalists is:

‘New Zealand CIO of the Year’, for how they have positioned the role of CIO strategically within the company and for demonstrating innovation and success

Sponsor: CompTIA

Finalists:

• Sean Bishop, Chief Digital Officer, Chapman Tripp
• Miles Fordyce, Chief Digital Officer, Real Estate Institute of NZ (REINZ)
• Angela Nash, Chief Information & Technology Officer, New Zealand Rugby Commercial
• Michael Oulsnam, Chief Digital Officer, University of Canterbury

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

Sponsor: 2degrees

Finalists:

• Farhein Akmal, Ministry of Health
• Alex Corkin, Datacom
• Tom Caunce, University of Canterbury

Community Tech Champions honouring outstanding initiatives promoting digital inclusion to educate, introduce and engage New Zealanders underrepresented in the ICT sector

Sponsor: Workday

Finalists:

• Manaiakalani Education Trust
• Te Aka Toitū Trust
• Te Kei o Te Waka Tainui
• University of Canterbury

‘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

Finalists:

• Corys Electrical
• Fisher & Paykel Appliances
• Southern Cross Travel Insurance

Business Transformation through Digital and ICT honouring the achievements of organisations which successfully planned and executed a business transformation initiative, or initiatives, using digital and disruptive technologies

Sponsor: Clearpoint

Finalists:

• Auckland Council
• Fisher & Paykel Appliances
• ProCare Network Limited
• Real Estate Institute of NZ (REINZ)

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

SPONSOR: Younity

Finalists:

• Christchurch City Council
• Quadrent
• ONE New Zealand

The 2023 New Zealand CIO Awards winners will be announced on August 15 during the CIO Summit.