New CEO for NZICT

New Zealand Information and Communication Technology has appointed a new chief executive, Candace Kinser.

The group represents the New Zealand ICT and technology sector and runs the Rutherford Innovation Showcase, a series of technology oriented events running at the same time as the Rugby World Cup that aims to provide New Zealand technology companies with the opportunity to meet international potential partners and investors.

Ms Kinser will replace current chief executive Brett O’Riley in mid-October but was already working with the board, she said, and participating with the Showcase to ensure it was well supported.

Ms Kinser said the Technology Investment Network report in 2010 found that the top 100 technology companies in New Zealand exported $5 billion a year, second only to dairy, and that within the next five to ten years, the prediction was that ICT would outstrip dairy and become the number one export industry for the country.

Ms Kinser said she aimed to continue with NZICT’s stated objectives and priorities, including stimulating social and economic change particularly through broadband connectivity. 

She said NZICT had a stake in the Ultra Fast Broadband initiative and was involved with government talks regarding this and that continued engagement with government regarding ICT, and ensuring deliverables were made a high priority for businesses and the general public in New Zealand, was part of that objective.

Ms Kinser said growing the sector and encouraging organisations to adopt internal technological use was another objective.  She said ensuring technology companies, such as Biomatters or Right Hemisphere, had the necessary encouragement to export and open up their doors to foreign markets, was also important.

“To grow a small business into a medium sized, and a medium sized into a big company you really need to be able to have that focus and I see NZICT being this backbone or this connector of information, and this hub where organisations can come to who are involved in the ICT or high tech industry,” she said.

Ms Kinser said NZICT’s role would be to make sure it could enable such companies and create a community, by offering networking functions throughout the country, partnering with other organisations such as large accounting or law firms, and have information seminars covering topics such as setting up overseas or international tax laws.

“My goal is to look at how can we actually create this really exciting vivacious educational and fun environment for all of the ICT and tech companies to be involved with in New Zealand.”

Ms Kinser said New Zealand tech companies were good at innovation, and putting together a smart idea and executing it strategically.  What New Zealand needed to work on for its ICT companies, she said, was aiming high, and overcoming the fear of becoming a major off shore market player.

“And it may require that you have some staff that does need to go overseas or you do need to set up in international markets or you may have to partner with you know big companies globally and that will ultimately be to your benefit.”

Ms Kinser was chief executive of scientific software company Biomatters for more than four years and has also held senior roles at Telecom NZ, SolNet NZ and Biolab Scientific.

Ms Kinser is also a director of NZBIO, a membership-based group representing companies and organisations in the technology sector.

NZICT chair Bennett Medary said Ms Kenser was an esteemed professional with many years of experience working in the technology sector in New Zealand and abroad.  He thanked Mr O’Riley for his hard work with NZICT.