NZ Tech Podcast

Paul Spain is joined by Jonathan Brabant, New Zealand Director at Workday, to explore the rapid rise of AI agents and what they could mean for the future of work, including agentic AI, headless enterprise software, MCP integrations, and how platforms like Claude, Copilot and Workday are increasingly working together. They also discuss where organisations are drawing the line between automation and human decision-making.

They also discuss the latest tech news including:

• NZ Expands Drone Surveillance Capabilities
• Gisborne council wins award for AI mapping project
• Last calls for New Zealand’s public phone booths
• Websites fighting back against AI agents
• Telsa’s Rocket-propelled flying car

Thanks to our partners: One NZ, Workday, 2degrees, Spark, PwC New Zealand, SAP and Gorilla Technology.

New Zealand's aerospace sector is gaining momentum, and the recent Aerospace Summit in Christchurch brought together the people helping drive that growth.

In this first of two episodes series, Paul Spain sits down with founders, investors and industry leaders, to explore the innovation emerging from New Zealand's aerospace ecosystem. From advanced aviation technologies and aerospace engineering to commercial opportunities, investment, and global ambitions, these conversations offer a unique look inside one of the country's most exciting industries.

Here from:

• Stefan Powell - CEO of Dawn Aerospace
• Martin Cudd - General Manager Innovation and Business Growth at ChristchurchNZ
• Adam Wade - Founder of Abstract Space
• William Hunter - Co-founder and CTO of Astrix Astronautics
• Angus Blair - Managing Partner at Outset Ventures

A big thank you to our show partners: One New Zealand, Spark New Zealand, PwC New Zealand, Workday, 2degrees, SAP, and Gorilla Technology.

Host Paul Spain and Craig Young (TUANZ) to discuss TUANZ’s role as an independent voice for technology users, including its priorities for responsible AI, digital inclusion, cybersecurity, and long-term technology planning. They also explore how AI-powered scams are getting faster, sharper, and harder to spot, and unpack sophisticated phishing and cloned voiced scams.

Plus the latest tech news including:

• Cyber Smart Week
• Aerospace 2026 Summit
• 'Ghost job' concerns
• Bunnings new Buddy AI assistant
• Italy's top bank gets AI voice scammed
• Subsea cable internet disruption
• Trump’s ‘Super Intelligence’ rebrand

Special thanks to our show partners: SAP, Workday, Spark New Zealand, One New Zealand, 2degrees, PwC New Zealand and Gorilla Technology.

On this episode, Paul Spain talks with Sacha Judd, co-founder and COO of Lume Music, to explore her journey from corporate lawyer and startup investor to launching a new digital music platform designed to help artists connect more deeply with fans. They discuss New Zealand's startup ecosystem, lessons from working with more than 100 startups, the challenges of building a tech company, internet culture and fandom, and why Sacha believes human creativity still matters in an AI-driven world. Plus, a look at how Lume Music aims to reshape the relationship between artists, albums and listeners.

Lume — Own the Albums You Love, Beyond Streaming

Thanks to our partners: One NZ, Workday, 2degrees, Spark, PwC New Zealand, SAP and Gorilla Technology.

Drummond Reed, a global leader in digital identity, privacy, and online trust joins host Paul Spain, as they unpack how self-sovereign identity gives individuals control over digital credentials, why privacy concerns remain central to government-led identity systems, and what approaches in Bhutan, India, Utah, and the European Union reveal about the future of digital identity.

Drummond Reed also explores decentralised trust graphs, verifiable credentials, AI agents and the risks of increasingly sophisticated scams and surveillance. The conversation looks ahead to a world where individuals control more of their data, digital agents act on their behalf, and trusted relationships can be verified without relying on a single identifier everywhere online.

A big thank you to our show partners: One New Zealand, Spark New Zealand, PwC New Zealand, Workday, 2degrees, SAP, and Gorilla Technology.

Host Paul Spain sits down with Peter Boyle (Exaba) as they discuss how Exaba is helping managed service providers build their own local clouds using commodity hardware, keeping data under local control while turning infrastructure costs into new revenue opportunities and building a successful deep-tech company from Hamilton.

They also discuss the latest tech news including:

• Labour’s AI Regulation Plan
• AI leaders call for slowing the AI race
• Cybersecurity Alarm After Major NZ Breaches
• Kiwi start-up to create gravity-free drugs in space
• Apple’s Foldable iPhone Duo

Special thanks to our show partners: SAP, Workday, Spark New Zealand, One New Zealand, 2degrees, PwC New Zealand and Gorilla Technology.

Join Paul Spain as he speaks with Dr Autumn Krauss, Chief Scientist at SAP’s Future of Work Research Lab, about how AI is transforming jobs, management, career development, and workforce planning. Discover why 57% of employees would consider an AI manager, what skills will matter most in the future, and how organisations can redesign work for greater impact, innovation, and human potential.

Special thanks to our show partners: SAP, Workday, Spark New Zealand, One New Zealand, 2degrees, PwC New Zealand and Gorilla Technology.

How prepared is New Zealand for the next wave of artificial intelligence?

Paul Spain speaks with OpenAI's Gawesha Weeratunga about the rapid shift from chatbots to AI agents, why New Zealand is emerging as a global leader in AI adoption, and what organisations must do to stay competitive. They explore productivity gains, cybersecurity, governance, workforce impacts, and the growing divide between businesses embracing advanced AI and those falling behind. The discussion also examines regulation, real-world New Zealand success stories, and OpenAI's vision for a future where powerful AI capabilities are accessible to everyone.

Thanks to our partners: One NZ, Workday, 2degrees, Spark, PwC New Zealand, SAP and Gorilla Technology.

Professor Alexandra Andhov joins Paul Spain to explore the biggest questions facing AI today. From copyright lawsuits and social media harms to privacy, digital sovereignty and New Zealand's AI future, Alexandra explains why smarter regulation could fuel innovation while protecting people, businesses and society.

Plus the latest tech news including:

• 2degrees Completes AST SpaceMobile Satellite Connectivity Trial

• One NZ and 2degrees Seek Infrastructure Sharing Deal

• New Zealand Speeds Up Rocket Launch Approvals

• Meta Settlement Highlights Global Child Safety Shift Online

A big thank you to our show partners: One NZ, Spark, PwC, Workday, 2degrees, SAP, and Gorilla Technology.

Listen in as Paul sits down with Kevin Park, co-founder and CEO of Concord Visa, to explore how the Kiwi startup is helping fast-growing companies access global talent, expand into new markets, and scale internationally with fewer barriers. Kevin shares lessons from building a truly global business from New Zealand, the importance of hiring the right people, and what it takes to grow at startup speed.

Plus, Paul delivers his hands-on verdict on some of the latest technology to hit the market, including:

• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8
• Motorola Signature
• Kindle Scribe Colorsoft
• Vestaboard Note
• GoPro Mission One Pro

Special thanks to our show partners: SAP, Workday, Spark New Zealand, One New Zealand, 2degrees, PwC New Zealand and Gorilla Technology.