New Zealand Speakers
Please click below to read about the New Zealand Speakers or download their presentation
Nick Manning
Ministry of Economic Development
Nick Manning is the Chief Advisor of the ICT Regulatory Group at MED. The Group is responsible for the maintenance of a sound regulatory environment for the ICT sector in New Zealand, and advises the Minister for Communications and Information Technology on a range of telecommunications and ICT related matters. In particular, the ICT Regulatory Group leads the work on the government's $1.5 billion ultra-fast broadband initiative.
Nick has had experience in the private sector as a lawyer focusing on telecommunications and IT policy, acting for a range of clients in New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region. More recently Nick joined MED and has focused on broadband investment, heading up the development of the ultra-fast broadband policy.
Brad Ward
Ministry of Economic Development
Brad Ward is the Manager of the Digital Development Team at the Ministry of Economic Development. The team is responsible for policy development to improve the uptake and use of digital technologies and their contribution to New Zealand's economic growth.
Brad has had experience in the private and public sectors as a Business analyst and IT Manager for AMP Financial Services in New Zealand and Australia; Senior consultant in the public sector team at Unisys NZ; Senior Policy Analyst at the Ministry of Economic Development responsible for policy development in the manufacturing, digital content and food and beverage sectors and Manager at MED responsible for industrial sector policy, the Buy Kiwi Made programme, and most recently digital development.
Brad Ward Presentation
Geoff Hunt
Kordia
Geoff Hunt is the CEO of Kordia. He joined the business in 2005, and has led the company through its recent changes, and transformation into Kordia – now one of the region's leading technology services businesses providing broadcast and telecommunications solutions, and specialised networks.
Geoff has a Masters degree in electrical engineering. He has spent the past 19 years in leadership roles building high performance maintenance and construction companies operating in the electricity, rail and telecommunication sectors in New Zealand and Australia.
Kordia is an experienced trans-Tasman business, and is fast becoming one of the region's leading providers of customised broadcast and telecommunications solutions and specialised networks. Kordia enables customers to take advantage of convergence, and have the scale, resource, partnerships and infrastructure to embrace the advancements in technology, media and telecommunications. Kordia is across all the technologies that are bundled together to enable delivery of converged services – anywhere, any time.
Kordia has three centres of excellence, each designed to deliver the exact solution that customers want – broadcast, telecommunications and specialised networks. Their business is to create solutions that work. Kordia has a solid track record of innovative, industry-recognised solutions, with the expert skills and curiosity to think – and deliver – outside the square.
Geoff Hunt Presentation
Malcolm Shore
Telecom
Dr Malcolm Shore Head of Security at Telecom New Zealand where he is responsible for Group end-to-end security.
He started his career in IT at International Computers Ltd (ICL) in 1969 prior to studying for his BSc in Computer Science and Mathematics at London University. He joined the New Zealand State Services Commission in 1974 and in 1976 took a commission in the RNZAF where he served as Chief Systems Programmer at Defence EDP and Staff Officer Policy & Plans in Defence Headquarters. On retiring from The RNZAF he took a position with the Government Communications Security Bureau where he became Director Information Systems Security. During this period he undertook research for his PhD in Information Systems Security at Otago University.
Malcolm Shore Presentation
Diane Holland
Massive Software
Diane Holland is the CEO of Massive Software. Beginning her visual effects and computer graphics career in 1989 at George Lucas' Industrial Light and magic, Diane has had roles with Digital Domain, Sony Pictures, Santa Barbara Studios, Magnet Interactive and Walt Disney Feature Animation.
Diane joined Massive Software as CEO in 2003. Utilising her extensive experience and networks in film and television, visual effects and high end games CGI industries, Diane has taken Massive from start-up to the undisputed world leader in crowd simulation for film and television. She is credited with developing Massive's world-class brand, overseeing sales, marketing, PR and administration, and for driving their explosive entry into new markets of architecture, engineering, security, transportation simulation, infrastructure design, and education.
Massive is an AI authoring software utilised by a range of users to create and visualise large scale simulations. Their world leading, Academy Award winning AI solution is revolutionising architectural and engineering simulation. Leveraging its success and ubiquity in over 100 Hollywood blockbusters including Lord of the Rings, Happy Feet, and Pixar's Wall-E, Massive is taking large scale simulation solutions into new markets.
Massive's unique approach uses AI-driven agents with a 'brain' which is complete with simulated vision, hearing, touch and memory, yielding much more realistic results when compared to traditional methods. Agents interpret and react autonomously to the world around them based on what they see and experience, enabling Massive simulations to recreate the complexity and subtleties that characterise real-world interaction with the environment. The intuitive interface of Massive allows artists to define and interactively fine tune agent 'brains', creating more realistic behaviours and results.
Rick Shera
Lowndes Jordan
Rick Shera is a partner at top niche corporate, business and Information and Communication Technology law firm, Lowndes Jordan, based in Auckland, where he heads up the IP/ICT team which acts for telcos, ISPs, new media companies, web design houses, software licensors and network providers/integrators as well as providing IP and ICT advice to business and corporate clients.
Rick is a past vice president of InternetNZ and was a member of the four-person working group responsible for the introduction of New Zealand's current shared registry domain name structure. Rick also headed up the InternetNZ group responsible for development of New Zealand's .nz domain name dispute resolution service. More recently, Rick has been working with ISPs and copyright rights holder organisations on ISP provisions in the Copyright Act and with the New Zealand Society of Authors on its response to the Google Books project and settlement. He consulted to the Telecommunications Carriers' Forum (an umbrella group of all New Zealand's leading telcos and ISPs) on the development of a code of practice to deal with internet account termination for repeat copyright infringement and is assisting the TCF with its ongoing response to the Government's proposals on that issue. He has recently returned from South Africa where he was invited to brief ISPs from throughout Africa on international copyright issues.
Rick is a founding member and past convenor of the Auckland District Law Society's Law and Technology Committee and is chair of NetSafe and Hector's World Limited – world leading cyber-citizenship organisations.
Rick Shera Presentation
Craig Meek
Futuretech
Craig Meek is the CEO and founder of Futuretech, a leading innovator in data visualisation, visual business intelligence, and online collaboration.
Craig is a visualisation specialist with more than 20 years visualisation experience. Craig trained and graduated in Visual Communications, and his philosophy and insight into graphic representation is now redefining how multinational companies are using visual business intelligence to transform the way there people conduct business. Over the past six years he has showcased various visualisation projects within the HP labs R&D programmes around the world including "cooltown" in Singapore and China.
In 1992 he co-founded leading interactive agency Terabyte Interactive. He then went on to co-found Virtual Spectator, which was instrumental in the development of the first real-time 3D graphics for internet coverage of the America's Cup. Using its innovative 3D visual analyst tools Virtual Spectator revolutionised the way people watch sport, and transformed the broadcast of sports such the World Rally Championships, the PGA tour, cricket and Formula One.
Futuretech is at the fore of Rich Internet Application (RIA) software development. Their two flagship products, evidentia (the VBI and Data Visualisation Platform) and DesktopTV (Online Collaboration) exploit the full potential of current RIA technology advancements and the opportunity for a picture to tell a compelling story.
Futuretech works with global companies to improve operational efficiencies both in communications and decision making. The company has developed a scalable and repeatable methodology to turn data into real-time geospatial dashboards, which is delivered using the evidentia visualisation platform and is seen as the next wave in business intelligence.
Phil Shepherd
Harmonic
Phil Shepherd is the Chief Executive Officer of Harmonic, a privately-owned research and development company. In his current role, Phil is responsible for the management of Harmonic, a software development company that connects industry with university researchers to create unique, science-based solutions for real world industry problems.
Harmonic raises funding, then develops and manages the research and development collaborations between industry, universities and often, government agencies. Harmonic also helps industry partners commercialise the research outcomes, teaming with channel partners in the telecommunications, energy and agricultural sectors.
Phil has a commercial background, commencing his technology sector career 20 years ago. During this time, Phil has helped 11 start-up technology ventures across Europe, the US, Asia and New Zealand.
Phil also supports New Zealand government agencies in various initiatives. To launch both New Zealand's participation in KANZ and the Korea/New Zealand science agreement in 2005, Phil represented New Zealand in a 'Focal Point Coordinator' capacity, helping New Zealand, Korean and Australian scientists establish some exciting collaborative projects
John Harvey
Southern Photonics
John Harvey is currently professor of Physics at the University of Auckland. He graduated with BSc and MSc degrees from this University and then completed his doctorate in theoretical nuclear Physics at the University of Surrey in the UK in 1970. He returned to New Zealand in 1971 as a research fellow supported by the DSIR (as IRL was then known) whilst pursuing research in Boiophotonics.
In the 1980s he moved into the Physics Department at the University of Auckland. Over the subsequent years his research interests shifted progressively into the physics of laser operation and then into nonlinear fibre optics and optical communications, with a continuing involvement in applications of these technologies. He is currently CEO of Southern Photonics Ltd, a spin off company which he formed from the University, based in Auckland supplying test and measurement equipment to the optical communications industry and to research labs, whilst retaining a half time appointment at the University of Auckland.
Recently, Southern Photonics and the universities of Auckland and Otago, together with IRL have been awarded a contract from the Foundation for Research Science and Technology with the specific aim of identifying and developing the photonics industry sector in New Zealand. Harmonic is assisting with the development of a photonics sector engagement group, and the work done as part of the KANZ initiated research is an important contributor to this developing sector.
Steve Allison
Arcad
Steve Allison is General Manager of award winning digital media company Arcad. Steve has previously held executive marketing positions within New Zealand corporates including Fletcher Building and Carter Holt Harvey. His passion for digital media and its application across numerous industries led him to Arcad where he is a part owner with founder and Managing Director Bruce Thain.
Arcad specialises in creating world-class on-line and blended media applications across a variety of industry sectors both within New Zealand and overseas. They offer a full range of complimentary digital media services including software development and programming, 3D animation, graphic design, website development, full content creation and audio/video editing. They specialise in designing applications that are simple, intuitive and fun for customers and their target audiences to use. Arcad's customer base includes corporate clients (Fonterra, Fisher & Paykel, Fletcher Building, Westpac Banking, Schneider Electric, Resene Paints), sporting organisations (NZ Rugby Union, NZ Netball, NZ Golf, NZ Soccer) and many of the country's most successful small to medium enterprises.
Arcad is a previous winner of the prestigious Vero Excellence in Business Awards.
Arcad recognises the importance of continuous improvement and the need to retain a technological edge in order to provide the best outcomes for their customers, and allocate a minimum 20 percent of production man hours to ongoing research and development. This commitment not only benefits customers but also allows Arcad to attract and retain the industry's best practitioners to our company from New Zealand and abroad.
Dr Roy Davies
The Flexible Reality Studio
Dr Roy Davies (The VR Guy) is an interactive 3D, usability and R&D expert consultant for the Flexible Reality Studio, and part-time as a Senior Research Fellow at the Auckland University of Technology (AUT). Dr Roy's passion is pushing companies outside their comfort zones through the use of interactive 3D as a part of their business and marketing strategies, and getting academics to look up and see commercial possibilities. Those who listen benefit enormously from this.
Roy started his real education dismantling and programming a Dragon 32 in the early 80s, eventually frying this computer's processor by connecting it to advanced robotics devices built as part of his Master's degree at Auckland University Computer Science Department. Roy then spent 12 years on his OE in Sweden (because the challenge was to go somewhere where English was not the first language), completing his move to "the darkside" by becoming expert in Human Information Interaction and completing a PhD in the Usability of Virtual Reality.
Roy has over 15 years experience starting and helping organisations to generate opportunities from difficulties people have with technology – first as a researcher, founding and running a large, multi-disciplinary Virtual Reality (VR) Research centre in Sweden, then as a consultant in New Zealand helping companies build business opportunities around interactive 3D.
The Flexible Reality Studio is a business technology consultancy, specialising in interactive 3D solutions. They help commercial and research organisations apply the best interactive 3D approach for their needs, supply and maintain interactive 3D hardware, and develop interactive 3D applications.
The Flexible Reality Studio Website
Dr Roy Davies Presentation
Bill Padfield
Datacraft Asia Pte Ltd
Bill Padfield is the Chief Executive Officer for Datacraft Asia Pte Ltd. Bill joined Datacraft in 2001 as Chief Operating Officer, and was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Datacraft Asia in August 2003. He was also appointed an Executive board member in 2002. As the CEO, Bill manages and oversees all aspects of the Datacraft Asia Group's operations, and drives the Group's transition into a world-class IT services company.
Bill has 30 years of IT and telecommunications industry experience in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. Prior to Datacraft, he was the Senior Vice President and GM, Asia Pacific Australasia of Equant and was a member of the global executive team that successfully took Equant through its IPO on NYSE and Paris during 1998. During his stint at Equant, he was also responsible for integrating its two divisions in Asia Pacific Australasia, Integration Services and Network Services, into one entity, the merger with Global One and for restructuring the business to leverage the advantages of the merged organisations. Prior to Equant, Bill worked with Alliant Computer Systems, and Prime Computer.
Datacraft is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dimension Data plc (LSE:DDT), a US$4.5 billion leading global IT solutions and services provider. Datacraft operates in over 50 offices across 13 Asia Pacific countries. Datacraft helps clients plan, build, support, manage, improve and innovate their IT infrastructures. Datacraft combines an expertise in networking, security, data centre, storage, Microsoft solutions and converged communications and contact centre technologies, with advanced skills in consulting, integration, training and managed services to craft IT solutions for businesses.
Donald Clark
Research & Education Advanced Network New Zealand Ltd
Donald Clark is the Chief Executive of the Research & Education Advanced Network New Zealand Ltd (REANNZ). Before joining REANNZ, he was the Prime Minister's policy adviser on telecommunications, transport, economic development, state-owned enterprises, science and innovation and broadcasting. He has also advised ministers on the Government's ownership interests in the Crown Research Institutes.
Prior to that, Donald worked in Europe as a consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton and PricewaterhouseCoopers. He was also an early employee at technology start-up Ask Jeeves UK. Donald has a Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Edinburgh, and is a member of the InternetNZ Council.
REANNZ is the Crown-owned company that owns and operates a high-speed telecommunications network for the research and education sectors.
REANNZ aims to:
• enable leading edge e-research
• facilitate universal connectivity throughout the New Zealand and international research and education community
• encourage broad participation by the research and education sector in New Zealand through accessible technology and reasonable pricing
• connect research and education sector to the broader innovation community for pre-commercial, research and development based collaboration
• facilitate participation by multiple telecommunications sector partners so as to ensure the greatest possible flexibility for ongoing evolution.
Adam Good
Clemenger Group
Adam is the Executive Director of Digital Innovation for Clemenger Group. He is a pioneering executive in the digital media, content, advertising and communication industry with over 20 years experience in the interactive, online, television, film and advertising industries. Adam is a well known interactive conference contributor having delivered digital keynote speeches at marketing and media conferences in the United States, Australia, China, Korea, Singapore and Japan.
Prior to joining Clemenger Group in 2007, Adam was one of the founding members and President, Asia Pacific for Tribal DDB Worldwide, working and living in Australia and China during his eight years with the interactive agency network. During this time he led the agency to 'back to back' Adnews Interactive Agency of the year titles (2004, 2005), B&T Interactive Agency (2004) and US Ad Week Interactive Agency Network (2005).
Prior to Tribal DDB, Adam was an Executive Producer at News Interactive (Newcorp Australia), the online newspaper division of News Limited where he established Australia's leading national news and information service news.com.au and Australia's premier sports site AFL.com.au.
Clemenger Group is Australia and New Zealand's largest marketing and communications holding company, incorporating agencies such as Colenso BBDO, Aim Proximity and Clemenger BBDO. These agencies drive digital communications with such clients as Vodafone, Air New Zealand, TVNZ and Fonterra. Over the past two years Clemenger Group has won numerous digital media creative and effectiveness awards including B&T Australasia Interactive Agency of the Year and Best in Show at the Digital Media Awards in Shanghai.
Pierre-Emmanuel
G-Tours
Pierre-Emmanuel is a co-founder of G-Tours, an innovative Dunedin-based company developing industry-specific distribution channels to deliver real-time content on mobile devices. He is originally from Burgundy in France and came to New Zealand to kick start his career as an entrepreneur, where he completed a Master of Entrepreneurship. He is currently completing a Ph.D. in Marketing and Information Science. In August 2008, he partnered up with co-founder Bhavneet Kaur to develop the G-Tours platform.
G-Tours uses GPS technology and wireless communication to allow users to locate and interact with 'waypoints' on any GPS receiver or mobile device. i-Visit, the platform's first application, is a tourism application that provides international and domestic travellers an information service that is based on their location. The application delivers information that is completely relevant to tourists' needs (in terms of location, time, interest and language) directly to their handsets.
G-Tours is leveraging social media and partnering with leading industry stakeholders to provide a comprehensive mobile information platform.
James Valentine
Fronde Systems Group
James Valentine is a Principal Consultant in Fronde's Strategy Services Team specialising in mobile solutions and cloud computing. During his five years at Fronde he has architected or project managed solutions across a range of technologies and platforms for various New Zealand organisations. He has worked in the United Kingdom as a Development Manager and Technical Architect; and as a consultant for Accenture in Wellington.
James Valentine Presentation
Gavin Lennox
Nextspace
Gavin Lennox is the CEO of Nextspace, a 3D technology developer and industry catalyst that creates better ways to communicate and collaborate. He leads the Nextspace team as it works to create a vibrant 3D visualisation industry that makes complex 3D data accessible, easy-to-use and interactive in a range of applications. Under his leadership Nextspace is creating a global advantage for New Zealand in 3D visualisation through developing new commercial markets, education and research.
Gavin has successfully led and grown software and technology businesses and brings an international business perspective having lived and worked on three continents. Before joining Nextspace, he was Vice President Global Sales and Marketing for Healthphone, a global healthcare software company founded in New Zealand. Prior to that, he spent five years with MapInfo Corporation in a variety of senior international roles. This gave him valuable experience in commercial applications for visual data and its integration with business processes.
Gavin holds a Masters of Engineering and Bachelor of Science from Brunel University, United Kingdom.
Nextspace is a strategic partner of world-leading visual enterprise provider Right Hemisphere, extending its 3D visual platform into new sectors and business systems. Their integration skills and solutions unlock latent information held in ERP, document, asset, product lifecycle and learning management systems so that it can be interacted with visually. Specialised solutions have been developed for many industry sectors as well as research and education
Nextspace was established with government backing to provide New Zealand businesses with access to this unique IP to enhance their international competitiveness.
Ben Wilde
Unlimited Realties
Ben Wilde is Product Manager for New Zealand software developers Unlimited Realities. He is an experienced software development professional with expertise in software commercialisation, product management and marketing. Ben has extensive skills in mapping business requirements to technology capabilities and in communication of technology concepts, product strategy and vision and experience working within and leading geographically dispersed teams. Prior to joining Unlimited Realties, Ben held senior global product strategy roles with IBM Software Group and Informix Software.
Unlimited Realities are gestural user experience experts and the creators of the Fingertapps multi-touch software platform. The Fingertapps platform is used in a wide range of next generation multi-touch solutions including Dell Computer's Touch Zone user interface. Building on their success with Fingertapps, Unlimited Realities is now developing solutions for mobile platforms, next generation 3D / content middleware and content creation tools.