Zoe is an award-winning engineer, data scientist, and Churchill Fellow. With global experience, she simplifies the technology conversation by sharing surprising and engaging stories. Zoe's unique background allows her to critically analyze experiences and draw practical conclusions for the future with wit and grace. Through her consultancy, My Smart Community, Zoe offers strategic advice on dealing with disruption, leveraging infrastructure spend, and facilitating genuine collaboration.
Dr. Jonathan Reichental is a multiple-award-winning technology and business leader whose career has spanned both the private and public sectors. He’s been a senior software engineering manager, a director of technology innovation, and has served as chief information officer at both O’Reilly Media and the City of Palo Alto, California. Reichental is currently the founder of advisory, investment, and education firm, Human Future, and also creates online education for LinkedIn Learning. He has written three books on the future of cities: Smart Cities for Dummies, Exploring Smart Cities Activity Book for Kids, and Exploring Cities Bedtime Rhymes. His latest books include Data Governance for Dummies and a Cryptocurrency QuickStart Guide.
Christchurch-born Sam “explosiv_fury” Johnson. A veteran of the Oceania Dota 2 scene, having started playing Dota at the age of 9 and beginning his competitive career in the Australian scene six years later. Since then, Sam has won multiple seasons of both ESL and LPL's ANZ Championships, qualifying in various international tournaments.While continuing to compete, Sam “explosive_fury” Johnson has embarked on a new venture in the esports industry. He will be opening a new esports bar called One Shot in Christchurch.
Chief Executive, ALGIM New ZealandMike Manson has a passion for bringing people and technology together. Mike is the Chief Executive of ALGIM (Association of Local Government Information Management), a founding member and current international secretary for eight countries of local authorities known as LOLA (Linked organisations of Local Authorities). Mike has represented NZ Local Government in China at a gathering of 55 countries. He has had an expansive career across many roles in Local Government.
A multi award-winning engineer, Churchill Fellow and data scientist with extensive global experience, Zoe takes the overwhelm out of the technology conversation. She does this by sharing stories and insights which surprise, engage and educate about what is possible through technology and data. Zoe is determined to not do things the way we’ve always done them. Her engineering mind and unique background allow her to critically analyse her experiences and draw practical conclusions for the future with wit, humour and grace. Zoe created the Smart Community Podcast to keep up-to-date with the latest trends and share her learnings. Through her boutique consultancy My Smart Community, she works with government, academia and industry offering strategic advice on dealing with disruption, leveraging major infrastructure spend, smart technology in all communities and facilitating genuine collaboration.
Dr Cheryl Doig #futuresaunty is a local futurist on a mission to increase futures fluency across the globe. She develops and supports futures practices in businesses and communities across Ōtautahi, Aotearoa and Oceania. Cheryl is currently involved with global projects focused on intergenerational fairness and youth futures. She is a professional member of the Association of Professional Futurists, a reviewer for the Journal of Futures Studies and an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the University of Canterbury. For more information visit thinkbeyond.co.nz
Associate Professor Elsamari Botha is the MBA Director at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand. With 15 years of consulting experience, and experience assisting from small businesses to large corporates, Elsamari’s research focuses on adopting and monetising new technologies in organisations and digital strategy development, focusing on Artificial Intelligence. With a PhD in Industrial Economics and Management from KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Elsamari has published in leading international journals. She has also been recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice in both Higher Education and Consulting, and has various advisory and governance positions.
With more than 25 years of experience in education, Rachel has taught in Lyttelton, Auckland, Wanaka, The Catlins, as well as in Vanuatu and Tonga. She is passionate about working with ākonga and kura, collaborating with CAC, whānau, and community groups interested in taking action through the climate campus.
Matthew Schultz is a Partner and Company Director at Gravelroad Group, bringing deep expertise in next-generation connectivity, including 5G, digital infrastructure, Smart Cities, the Internet of Things (IoT), and data-driven technology strategy. With a strong track record in high-profile operations, Matthew excels in aligning business, commercial, and service delivery objectives through effective collaboration across organizations and industries.
Josh Dry is the Business Development Director at Cogo. He’s tasked with empowering millions of businesses and consumers to understand their carbon footprint and be encouraged to take action to reduce their impact. Whether dealing with the upper echelons of the world’s most powerful organisations or with his many friends and colleagues, meet Josh, and he’ll ask you: “What’s your contribution to life?” He's passionate about the power of collective change and the fact that we can all take steps to lower our impact on people and the planet and move the sustainability conversation forward. He’s a truth speaker and a change stirrer - someone who’s only comfortable when attempting the uncomfortable.
Jane Morgan is the Team Leader of Christchurch City Council’s Coastal Hazards Adaptation Planning programme, which works with communities and rūnanga to plan for the impacts of sea level rise in low-lying coastal and inland parts of the district. Jane has a background in central government social service agencies and in earthquake recovery and regeneration following the Canterbury Earthquakes. Jane enjoys bringing communities facing significant challenges together with agencies to share knowledge and expertise and find local solutions to complex problems.
Caroline is the Chief Executive of Venues Ōtautahi. Venues Ōtautahi own the Christchurch Town Hall and Wolfbrook Arena and manage Apollo Projects Stadium, Hagley Oval, the Airforce Museum of New Zealand and One New Zealand Stadium, Canterbury’s new Stadium due to open in April 2026. Caroline joined Venues Ōtautahi as Chief Executive in May 2020. Prior to this Caroline held senior executive leadership positions across a range of disciplines at Christchurch International Airport, the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority, Vbase and PGG Wrightson. Caroline is a born and bred Cantabrian and feels privileged to play a role in looking after the city’s most iconic assets on behalf of the community.
Dr. Wim de Koning is passionate about creating sustainable added value in the Agri-Food Industry space. Having extensive global experience in sales & marketing, he understands from first-hand experience what is required to be part of a global sustainable value chain. As Co-director of Lincoln University Centre Excellence in Transformative Agribusiness, he saw opportunities & was able to put his expertise into use. His vision is that New Zealand needs to embrace a circular model, he has been instrumental in the development of Lincoln University’s Energy Farm and is frequently called upon as an expert in this field.
I’ve been the Chief Executive of TUANZ since October 2014. I am passionate about advocating for the innovative development of the use of technology and communications within our members and across Aotearoa. I’m fiercely protective of our independence in TUANZs role as the user’s voice. Prior to joining TUANZ, I had over twenty years in the ICT sector, with the last ten years before taking on this role in a number of organisations within the telecommunications industry. I’m a big sci-fi nerd which is probably why I love working in the space of digital technology and communications.
Ben Carter is an innovative educator with a decade of experience, blending his passion for gaming and esports with the world of teaching and learning. His commitment to student engagement and preparing them for the future is evident in his successful hosting of an Esport Tournament for Techweek '24 and his pioneering implementation of AI technologies at Hornby High School. Ben's unique approach to teaching bridges the gap between traditional learning and the digital world, making him a valuable asset in inspiring the next generation of learners.
Evie is the Head of Market and Customer Innovation at Orion, where she is responsible for strategies and solutions that maximise customer participation through flexibility to support cost-effective decarbonisation. Prior to this, she led innovation projects focused on electric vehicle charging at UK Power Networks and managed the UK Energy Networks Association first collaborative innovation strategy. Evie is involved in cross-sector initiatives to accelerate progress, including FlexForum and the ENA Future Networks Forum. Evie holds a BE(Hons) in Chemical and Process Engineering from the University of Canterbury.
Hamish Avery is an inquisitive and outgoing engineer with a passion for listening, learning and linking ideas and people across disciplines. He is the Director at the Electric Power Engineering Centre | Te Hiranga Pūhanga Hiko (EPECentre), a research centre at the University of Canterbury focused on electricity, energy, and our energy transition.
Peter is Managing Director and Principal Consultant at PrivSec Consulting, a NZ based information security consultancy. He has previously worked for the Ministry of Justice as their Security Assurance Manager, uplifting their security posture in a pragmatic, measured manner. He believes firmly in making security accessible and understandable, and lowering the barriers to having a good security posture.
Tony Moore has worked for the Christchurch City Council for 24 years. He champions sustainability and climate action through numerous strategies and programmes covering a range of topics including healthy homes, circular economy, sustainable food systems, regenerative neighbourhoods and community resilience.
Jon Sinclair is an expert in the successful application of technology and processes to complex systems. With over 25 years of experience across New Zealand, Australia, and the UK, Jon has led large projects and teams to achieve transformative outcomes for organizations of all sizes. He is now dedicated to transforming the construction sector for good.
Steve Addison is the Head of Brand, Communications and Digital at Pegasus Health. He has a background in brand and communications in the health sector, sport and conservation, and as a consultant in a variety of industries. He became interested in AI and emerging technologies recently, while studying towards an MBA at Canterbury University. He has a focus on AI, its application in health care and it potential to improve consumer experience.
Mitchell Anderson is the co-founder and Managing Director of Urban Intelligence, an innovative research and software start-up based in Ōtautahi Christchurch. For the past three years, Mitchell has led this firm and worked alongside CDEM groups, central government agencies, councils, iwi/hapū, infrastructure owners, businesses, and communities to enable evidence-based decision-making for a more resilient future.
Stella Meikle is a third year Environmental Science student at the University of Canterbury, and a two year executive of the University of Canterbury Gaming Guild. She has held a variety of different Esports positions including Player, Caster, and Team Manager. Stella is passionate about the development of Esports in Aotearoa over the coming years, and excited to see the role Ōtautahi will play in this space.
Michael leads the sales efforts for Itrons Smart City solution portfolio across Asia Pacific and EMEA. He also contributes to the development of the products and drives the GTM plan for the key markets in Asia Pacific and EMEA. In his previous role with SELC Ireland from 2015 till 2020, Michael served as the Head of Sales for EMEA and International Sales Director and was instrumental in expanding the company’s partnerships throughout Asia Pacific and Europe.
In his role as Innovation and Improvement Manager, Michael leads the unit that supports the Christchurch City Council’s vision to make Christchurch a city where anything is possible through trialling innovative technology and approaches as well as inspiring fresh thinking. He is focused on supporting organisations and communities to implement positive change and believes smart solutions, innovation and sustainable technology are critical to our future.
Brenden Winder leads the Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) team at Christchurch City Council and holds relationships with key stakeholders such as elected members, government departments and partner agencies. During his emergency management career, he has held leadership or specialist roles in many large-scale responses, including the 2023 Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle, the 2019 Pigeon Valley fires, the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, and the 2010/11 Christchurch earthquakes. Brenden is a member of the New Zealand Emergency Management Assistance Team and the Maritime New Zealand National Response Team.
Dr. Clifford is a passionate Māori technologist and is constantly seeking and applying the latest technologies to real world applications. From virtual, extended and augmented reality, digital story telling and digital twins, to unmanned aerial vehicles and underwater robotics. He has adapted these systems to a variety of applications such as fire and emergency training, helping hapū and iwi to digitally retell stories and mātauranga for current and future generations, to providing insight into underwater farming of mussels and scanning the seabed. His driving force is enabling our people to upskill and apply new technologies for our sustainable future.
Riley Paterson is a key member of Christchurch PB Tech team, handling roles from Service Technician to After-Sales support and Event Coordination. He plays a crucial part in community outreach and esports, organizing high school PC Building Workshops and esports tournaments. His multifaceted contributions help bridge technology and community engagement, showcasing his dedication to help grow a self-sustainable and informed community.
Mark leads Serviceworks, focusing on smart city improvements, tech-driven economic development, urban mobility, and citizen tech. An international speaker and commentator, he works across Asia-Pacific. He is Co-Chair of NZTech’s Sustainability Sub-Board, a director at NZRise, and on the Smart Cities’ Asia Advisory Board. A founding member of the Australia New Zealand Smart Cities Council Taskforce, Mark has won multiple awards for his contributions to smart cities. He is passionate about using technology to better address urban climate challenges, build greater economic opportunities, improve city operations, and boost citizen engagement.
Wayne has been a part of Fire and Emergency NZ for over 28 years as a career firefighter and previously a volunteer, he now works as a Senior Advisor as part of the Canterbury District. He has been involved in several of New Zealand’s significant emergency incidents including the recent Christchurch & Kaikoura Earthquakes and the Port Hills Fires as well as being deployed to emergencies overseas. Wayne has been assisting Christchurch City Councils Smart Christchurch team in the development of the information and fire detection network. He is a strong supporter of innovation and technology and has developed several initiatives. Wayne is known for his excellent work working collaboratively with stakeholders to achieve outcomes that support safer communities.
Louise is the Play Advocate at the Christchurch City Council, working across council units to bring a child-friendly lens, the voice of Tamariki and support work that advances the child’s Right to play. She has an extensive professional background in play in Ōtautahi Christchurch and is a board member of Play Aotearoa. She has three sons who have taught her the finer details of what matters the most when it comes to growing up and playing in Christchurch.
Smart Christchurch Innovation Expo 2024 is produced by Council’s Smart Christchurch programme, promoting Ōtautahi Christchurch as an exemplar city, showcasing solutions that make life better and that are replicable by others.
