Vaughan Rowsell (@rowsell) talks to Aliesha Staples who comes from a 13 year film industry and VR/AR content creation background. Aliesha is the founder of Staples VR, a production studio for the creative technologies sector, and Staples Rentals, an emerging technology equipment rental company. Aliesha was the winner of the High Tech Awards Young Achiever of the year award for 2017 (Idealog story) and her company Staples VR is the finalist for both innovation and emerging business categories of ...
Dec 04, 2017•40 min
Natalia Albert (@nataliaalbert) is currently a Project Manager at Stats NZ after having tried her professional hand at many roles both inside and out of the public sector. Moving to NZ from Mexico Natalia discovered how insular NZ can be when it comes to "experience gained elsewhere" and so, to prove she can do the work that makes her smile she set up events - there's nothing like showing someone you can do it! Based on this experience Natalia, alongside her day job which she loves, is setting u...
Nov 23, 2017•46 min
Miki Szikszai (@mikiszikszai, LinkedIn), CEO Snapper, talks to us about change, how things change and why we need to change. We learn how Snapper evolved quickly to create a solution that customers flocked to and now they are exporting the technology globally. Miki has a background in technology innovation in New Zealand having led the development of new markets and capability for Telecom NZ that include it’s Fixed and Mobile Internet Content businesses, deployment of NZ’s first 3G Mobile networ...
Nov 21, 2017•56 min
This was our last system Error session for 2017 and we had an open invitation for anyone that wanted to come along. Along with Mike and Raj, we had Lukas, Dave, Rochelle, Kay and off-course Mauricio. The session covered: * Intergen conference * The countdown to Christmas (yay or Uhhh depending on your point of view) * Gift giving – minimalism vs consumerism * What happens when the internet (connectivity to the web) goes down? * New smartphones and the dramas that come with them * 2degrees are sh...
Nov 16, 2017•1 hr 6 min
We talk to co-founder Rachel Hatch (@rachelnzvr) about the VR kiwi project that has been 8 years in the making and the journey to make an idea into a viable product ready to ship. VR kiwi provides the missing link, the freedom to be able to naturally and physically walk and run within virtual reality. This system includes both hardware and software allowing custom made experiences delivered – “plug and play”. We also talk about what inspired and motivated Rachel to do what she does ... Viewmaste...
Nov 13, 2017•33 min
“Making life better through technology is my thing” Lukasz Zawilski (@lukaszfromwelly) is the Chief Information Officer at New Zealand Qualifications Authority. An internationally experienced executive and leader with a unique blend of skills and experience gained through working with some of the world's leading organisations. Relocated to New Zealand in 2002 and have been fortunate enough to work with some great organisations across New Zealand & Australia since then. Our discussion leads u...
Nov 06, 2017•44 min
Vic Crone, CEO of Callaghan Innovation joined NZ Rise members in Wellington to discuss their experiences with Callaghan Innovation and shared her views on where she believes Callaghan Innovation can play a role in supporting the local eco-system. The interview was with Miki Szikszai, CEO of Snapper, and provided by NZ Rise https://nzrise.org.nz/ The interview was hosted by Equinox IT https://www.equinox.co.nz/ ------------------------------------------------------ We share the stories from peopl...
Nov 02, 2017•56 min
Alex is passionate about digital technology, and enjoy exploring ways to embrace its full potential. His academic background lies within the fields of media studies, ICT law and technology enterprise, while my professional background is in journalism. Alex created PressPatron, which makes it easy to support media outlets online. In a few simple steps, supporters can make monthly and one-off contributions to their favourite online publishers – which Access Granted love and are part of. We talk ab...
Oct 30, 2017•50 min
Chris created Koha and has spent the last 17 years refining his creation. Chris has worked for a few companies but his core focus has been Koha throughout his career. Koha is a fully featured, scalable library management system. Development is sponsored by libraries of varying types and sizes, volunteers, and support companies worldwide. Chris is a "stealth Maori" and he explains how he uses his Maori culture around the world – funny story. An amazing open source tale. --------------------------...
Oct 23, 2017•57 min
Pascale, one the team, talks to Murray Clode about art, tech and what happen when the two worlds collide. Tucked upstairs in a nice new sunshiny office at Basestation coworking space in Tauranga CDB, Murray share how he has followed his passion for exploring his inner-creative while at the same time helping unleash others. If you are into non linear journeys, Murray’s story is one of a kind. From the world of Telecommunications to Architecture to heavy industry then on to management and Business...
Oct 16, 2017•36 min
Vivian Chandra (@vivster81) is passionate about many things, CRM’s, data, and ensuring kids are not left behind. Being involved with OMGTech! since day one and offering to help out at the launch event she was hooked from the very first moment. We talk about how technology needs to be integrated into the school curriculum not just an add on (optional) subject. ------------------------------------------------------ We share the stories from people that work in New Zealand tech, social media, start...
Oct 09, 2017•38 min
Wow this conversation went in every direction possible. Around the table were Troy, Mauricio, Mike, Raj and Gavin. We jabbered about: Usability, functionality, service Using AI bots Recruitment tech LinkedIn spam (“Hi Troy you have a nice face”) Paring down your social channels Email is broken (still) but which messaging app to go to? The old battle between Windows vs Mac vs Google Buzz word BS Data – Analytics and patterns/trends Telcos, they just don’t get it iPhone X and Facal recognition Kee...
Oct 05, 2017•55 min
Jordan Carter (@jordancarter) has been CEO of Internet New Zealand since 2013, leading the organisation as it builds a better New Zealand through a better Internet. He is a policy expert on many of the issues raised by the Internet, especially policy, regulation, and social impact as well as being a a leader of teams, strategist in terms of organisational development and achieving policy outcomes, and experienced at working with and for Boards. We talk about the way we use the Internet now and a...
Oct 03, 2017•39 min
We have had Anna on many times talking about the amazing campaigns that are on Pledgeme.co.nz This time we actually talk about PledgeMe itself and its amazing growth path and some very interesting news. *Cough* Australia. Women in Tech - its a thing, its a thing people are talking about. Anna shares some cool insights. Note, this episode contains many pop culture references from the 90’s. ------------------------------------------------------ We share the stories from people that work in New Zea...
Sep 25, 2017•50 min
Kat is on a mission to increase the number of data insights actioned. There is a growing gap between analytics teams and decision makers, stemming from a breakdown in communication. This is why Kat started Rogue Penguin. Kat has worked across multiple industries, NZ and internationally. With both science and graphic design degrees and is happiest when making data come to life. We cover Data visualisation through graphic design Branding Consistent change Analytics and insights -------------------...
Sep 18, 2017•38 min
We have Mike, Raj, Mauricio and new addition to the team AJ (graduate of the NZ Radio Training School) sitting around a table at Golding Free Dive we discuss “is radio still a thing” and what's happening to broadcast TV? Nostalgia We have a nostalgic moment when talking about Palm (“Palm is coming back!”) and Windows in the 90’s and how things used to be. “The support process is broken” We discus many many fails and interesting stories in tech at the moment including but not limited to: Ring doo...
Sep 14, 2017•58 min
The lost episode. We recorded this one a while ago but unfortunately we misplaced it, until now. Kai Koenig (@agentK) works as a Software Solutions architect for Ventego Creative in Wellington, New Zealand. He also co-founded the company with two partners and is the CTO of Zen Ex Machina, a startup in the fields of digital & user experience consultancy based out of Canberra in Australia. Kai's work comprises a mix of consulting, training, mentoring and actual development work using a range o...
Sep 11, 2017•47 min
Over the past few weeks we spent some time with the main party political parties and their ICT representatives in order to have them articulate their stance. == ICT representatives We get to hear from: - Greens: Gareth Hughes, @GarethMP - NZ First: Tracey Martin, @TraceyMartinMP - National: Brett Hudson, @bhudson_nz - Labour: Clare Curran, @clarecurranmp - ACT: David Seymour, @dbseymour == Questions - What is your own tech background? - Can you sum up your parties ICT policy for us please? - Wha...
Sep 04, 2017•1 hr 5 min
Growing up in Ethiopia and living in six countries has made Yoseph a global citizen driven to make positive impact through entrepreneurship. Yoseph works closely with the entrepreneurship community across NZ, Silicon Valley, and other hubs around the world. As a former New Zealand National Poetry Slam champion and TEDx speaker, and with a diverse background in resource management, startups, communications and government, Alina believes in the power of story above almost everything else. Edmund H...
Aug 28, 2017•45 min
Sam Daish started in recruitment to HR and strategy which lead to information management and analytics. These days Sam spends his time at Xero as Head of Data Innovation, so he’s all about how to use data and conveying information in interesting ways. Using data for business and automation but also for social good. Mike and Sam talk also about the art of play.
Aug 21, 2017•43 min
Emily Loughnan is a passionate creative and business owner in Wellington. Emily started Clicksuite in 1993, they responsible for some amazing experiences using digital media from websites to immersive museum installations. Raj and Emily geek out a little be about video and design as Emily started out as a TV Producer. We connect the dots between CD-Roms (remember those?) all the way through to Virtual and Augmented reality. Now Emily also has a start-up, her team have developed Curio a software ...
Aug 14, 2017•45 min
We chat with Eva Sherwood from v and NZTech. Eva is in Sales at Oracle – working with govt. Eva started in Finance while studying from there she was approached to work on “some new software” thing becoming a software tester. We talk about new career paths e.g. not having to be a Doctor, lawyer or accountant. Get into tech where there are great roles that a really well paid. Eva also chairs the specialty group, Women in Tech – part of NZTech where Eva is a board member too). Eva points out that t...
Jul 31, 2017•36 min
This week we talk to Donna Sorsa (from Fuelled) and Liz Riversdale. They dive into how and why women get into tech. Not just importing talent from overseas, but nurturing people from with NZ. Donna had a great opportunity – spending time in a variety of roles and then specialising as a Business Analyst. Donna was around during the transition of Synergy to Fronde and worked on some amazing projects here in NZ and in Australia. We also talk about getting back into work after making time for family...
Jul 24, 2017•44 min
Friend of the show Grant Foggo joins Mike at Goldings Free Dive. Grant is also a connector of people working Amanda Santos at StratAspire who are a growth and sales consultancy. We talk about how sales, account management, relationships and outcomes. Companies spend too much time hunting for new business rather than keeping clients happy. Grant brings extensive knowledge and experience of developing and implementing strategies. As a natural networker and salesman he has a proven ability to ident...
Jul 17, 2017•45 min
Hannah Mundell & Harriet Riley talk Summer of Biz We chat with the new Summer of Tech sibling, Summer of Biz ( https://summerofbiz.co.nz ) and particularly with Harriet Riley and Hannah Mundell. Summer of Biz covers. Summer of Biz focuses on HR & Marketing industry where they connect enlightened Wellington employers with top local HR & Marketing students for paid summer jobs. Harriet and Hannah talk about how they got together, saw a need and got cracking. They are currently looking ...
Jul 05, 2017•32 min
Mike takes us back to our first studio (his place) and we meet his neighbour Tapio Sorsa who has had a varied career in tech in NZ. His previous roles included working for Kiwibank, Microsoft, Fronde and Oracle. He is highly proficient in product development, operations, governance and IT strategy. And he’s also a passionate and driven person that thrives in an environment that values achievement, accountability, transparency and teamwork. Mike and Tapio dive into “Helping people do stuff” in te...
Jun 27, 2017•1 hr
Hamish Fraser (@verbman) started Verb 14 years ago. Verb is a technology company and the primary vehicle for web entrepreneur Hamish Fraser to offer his consultation services, business connections and software services. Verb had a CMS product for designers to use to build websites. Hamish also had an interest in local govt (“Communities fascinate me”). He became one of the youngest members of Timaru district council where he was the chair of the district services committee. Hamish also ran a blo...
Jun 20, 2017•48 min
Merrin Macleoad from Rails Girls to talk about Kiwi Ruby about the upcoming conference she is organising. We go into what Ruby (est 1993) is and how it fits into the Dev world. Mike and Merrin also geek out on a few languages they learnt back in the day. Kiwi Ruby is about a mixture of local and international speakers, a day of workshops and one single-track day of talks. The will cover topics that interest, excite, and delight Rubyists and the Ruby-curious of all levels. It's being held on Thur...
Jun 12, 2017•40 min
We catch up with Stephanie Pride about the Arts Tech (speed dating night) event she ran during Techweek 2017. This is where various people got together to create amazing ideas that use a mixture of arts and technology which lead to a showcase – where members of the public could come and see the presentation of the ideas the teams came up with. “New Zealand’s arts, science and tech sectors come together to transform classical performing arts for the 21st century.” After an epic week traveling aro...
Jun 07, 2017•45 min
Rain! Rain like you've never seen before took us away from New Plymouth and on down the North Island to Whanganui and the Confluence Coworking Space. ------------------------------------------------------ We share New Zealand tech, social media, startup people's stories. If you have a story or know someone that does - get in touch! Mike’s (@MiramarMike) background is explaining stuff, connecting people and getting things done. Raj’s (@nzRaj) background is in video, design, media and making thing...
May 11, 2017•1 hr 3 min
