NZ Tech Podcast

Host Paul Spain talks with Max Olson, founder of Pretty Fast, building ambitious deep-tech companies and AI-powered manufacturing. Max shares the thinking behind Halter, Vessev, and his latest venture, Pretty Fast, an instant-quote laser-cutting business built with a lean technology stack. Hear how hydrofoils can cut boat energy use by up to 80%, why ferries are a practical starting point for electric vessels, and how AI let Max Olson build software, manufacturing workflows, and a business without hiring a software team. Paul Spain explores the bets and pivots behind it.

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

Join Paul Spain as he goes behind the scenes with Microsoft’s Surface team for a closer look at how AI is reshaping the future of personal computing. He sits down with Nancie Gaskill, Chief Operating Officer for Surface, and Angela Chen Krauskopf, General Manager for Surface Hardware Engineering, to explore the thinking and innovation driving Microsoft’s devices. From running more AI directly on our PCs to designing the hardware that will support increasingly intelligent experiences, the conversations reveal how Microsoft is approaching the next era of computing and how the relationship between people, AI and their devices could evolve in the years ahead.

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

New Zealand's aerospace sector continues to push new boundaries. In this Part 2 special from the Aerospace Summit in Christchurch, Paul Spain speaks with industry innovators and investors exploring what's next for New Zealand aerospace. From high-altitude solar aircraft and uncrewed aviation to space manufacturing, re-entry technology and deep-tech investment, these conversations reveal the technologies and opportunities helping shape New Zealand's growing aerospace ecosystem.

Hear from:

• Daniel Price, Chief Scientist at Kea Aerospace
• Jamie France, Founder and CEO of Outlier Space
• Alexandra Vidyuk, General Partner at Beyond Earth Ventures
• Stuart Poppelwell, EagleFlight Technics

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

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.