NZ Tech Podcast

Join Paul Spain as he sits down with Bowen Pan, an inspiring tech entrepreneur whose journey spans from founding uniFriend while at the University of Auckland, leading product at Trade Me, and making a massive impact in Silicon Valley with Facebook Marketplace and Stripe. Bowen shares invaluable lessons on ambition, failure, and the evolution of New Zealand’s tech scene. Tune in for insights on global experience fuelling local innovation, and advice to spark your own bold moves in technology! Special thanks to our show partners 2degrees, One New Zealand, Spark New Zealand, Workday and Gorilla Technology.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown talks with Paul Spain about the future of technology in Auckland and New Zealand. The mayor shares his vision for making Auckland a leading tech hub and how he believes the city can better contribute to New Zealand’s economy. From his experience leading business delegations to China and India, to his hands-on approach supporting the Auckland Tech Alliance and pushing for digital innovation within local government, Wayne Brown offers his viewpoints on city-to-city connections, global tech opportunities, and the sometimes-bumpy road of digital transformation and adoption. We explore practical challenges around balancing technological innovation with privacy and inclusivity, discuss Auckland’s role in supporting the wider country, and hear why Mayor Wayne Brown believes collaboration, progressive development, and a willingness to take risks are key to unlocking Auckland’s and New Zealand’s potential on the global tech stage. This episode also touches on Council Digitisation, Rocket Lab, Halter, Bengaluru - India, Guangzhou - China, Sao Paulo - Brazil, Startup Week, Auckland Technology Alliance, Transport, Road Cones and more. A big thank you to our show partners One NZ, Spark, Workday, HP, 2degrees and Gorilla Technology.

Host Paul Spain is joined by Jonathan Brabant (Workday), for a deep dive into how Workday is helping Kiwi businesses modernise their HR and finance systems. From cloud-native architecture to AI-powered insights, discover how Workday is enabling smarter decisions and driving agility across Aotearoa. Plus, we unpack the latest tech news including Microsoft’s AI pricing apology and refunds in NZ and Australia, Meta’s revenue from fraudulent ads, Lensare's award winning glasses, $35k teleoperated home robot from 1X, and the UK’s Capture IT compensation scheme and more. Thanks to our Partners One NZ, Workday, 2degrees, HP, Spark and Gorilla Technology

Hear from host Paul Spain as he sits down with Philippa Cogswell (Palo Alto Networks’ Unit 42), to unpack the fast-moving world of cybersecurity. Philippa shares insights into global incident response, including the rise of business disruption tactics, multi-surface attacks and the growing challenges posed by supply chain vulnerabilities. The conversation highlights research findings, including the speed of attacks and the increasing use of AI in cybercrime, plus practical advice for both large enterprises and startups in navigating today’s cyber risks. This episode offers a unique window into the realities facing organisations in New Zealand and beyond, with actionable takeaways for anyone invested in digital security. 2025 Unit 42 Global Incident Response Report - Palo Alto Networks Special thanks to our show partners 2degrees, One New Zealand, Spark New Zealand, HP, Workday and Gorilla Technology.

Hear from host Paul Spain and Alyona Medelyan (Thematic) as they discuss highlights from Auckland Startup Week, and review tech news from the week including, NZ’s undersea drone push to protect vital cables, Rural internet pressures amid Starlink’s rise, AWS DNS triggers widespread outages, major fraud stories span crypto empires and rigged poker. Plus, Alyona shares insights on leadership, startup culture lessons, and how Thematic helps businesses with customer feedback analytics. A big thank you to our show partners One NZ, Spark, HP, 2degrees and Gorilla Technology.

Join Paul Spain as he chats with Scott Spooner (SPS Automation). Discover the fascinating world of bespoke robotics, from AI-powered agricultural drones combating wilding pines to spectacular drone light shows. Scott shares SPS’s journey from garage startup to cutting-edge innovations, including hybrid-powered heavy-lift drones, swarm technology, and navigating New Zealand’s flexible regulatory landscape. If you’re passionate about tech, aviation, and the future of autonomous vehicles, then listen in!

Join host Paul Spain and Jovan Pavlicevic (Emerge & Square One) as they discuss the latest tech news including Google’s Honomoana cable and its economic promise, IT Professionals NZ closure, Discord’s leaked ID photos, NZ’s new “How Exposed Am I?” tool. Carparking surveillance, Brewers revert to pen-and-paper due to hackers and China-US rare earth export saga. Plus, Jovan shares how Emerge & SquareOne’s innovative fintech solutions are transforming youth banking, SME financial management, and financial inclusion for Kiwis. Thanks to our Partners One NZ, Workday, 2degrees, HP, Spark and Gorilla Technology

Host Paul Spain reconnects with Stefan Powell, co-founder and CEO of Dawn Aerospace, to discuss the rapid evolution of New Zealand’s space sector. Stefan shares the highs and lows of steering an aerospace startup through rapid growth, the realities of innovating in both aircraft and space tech, and what it’s taken to build customer trust in a high-stakes industry. Explore Dawn Aerospace’s advances in reusable space planes and green in-space propulsion, the company’s international growth, and how their technology is powering global space missions and research. A big thank you to our show partners One NZ, Spark, HP, 2degrees and Gorilla Technology.

Hear from host Paul Spain and Mike Jones, General Manager at Earthcare Environmental. Mike shares his first-hand experiences with Tesla’s new Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised technology, diving into what sets FSD apart from other automation systems, how it’s performing on local streets, and what the future looks like for autonomous driving. Plus, tech news from the week including, Facial recognition in retail, Age restrictions on social media, young inventors LCD glasses for epilepsy and light sensitivity. Advancements in on-device AI, plus comparing inflight satellite Wi-Fi and more. Discover what’s driving New Zealand’s technology landscape forward. Special thanks to our show partners 2degrees, One New Zealand, Spark New Zealand, HP, Workday and Gorilla Technology.

In this special episode, host Paul Spain sits down with Steve Sasson, the American electrical engineer who quite literally changed how the world captures moments—he invented the first self-contained (portable) digital camera at Kodak back in the mid-1970s. Recorded at Steve’s home in Rochester, New York, Steve shares not only the technical hurdles and creative thinking that made digital imaging possible, but also gives us a look into Kodak’s company culture—how innovation collided with tradition, and why big organisations sometimes struggle to reinvent themselves in times of massive technological change. Sasson’s stories offer timeless insights for innovators navigating disruptive technology and shifting business models in today’s fast-paced world. Thanks to our Partners One NZ, Workday, 2degrees, HP, Spark and Gorilla Technology

Host Paul Spain is joined by Igor Portugal (Tech Entrepreneur), as they explore the latest tech news in New Zealand and beyond. They discuss the Electric Avenue ticketing debacle, Starboard Maritime's expansion plans, NZ’s Realtime phone outage service, China's surveillance network, the future of Starlink, and Apple's latest product revelations, including the progressive phasing out of SIM cards. Plus, get insights into BlackLock Security's innovative use of AI for threat detection and their Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS). A big thank you to our show partners One NZ, Spark, HP, 2degrees and Gorilla Technology.

Hear from host Paul Spain and Julian Wendt (nWebbed) as they unpack the latest NZ Tech report, revealing the impressive growth of the tech export sector, the launch of Pātea, a new app to address gambling harm, and skepticism over massive tech investment figures from global tech giants. Other news included Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellite internet progress, Philips Hue expanding into motion detection and doorbells, Google’s softer-than-expected antitrust ruling, Turmp’s ‘Tech dinner” and a widespread breach impacting major SaaS tools like Salesloft and Drift. Julian delves into nWebbed’s darknet monitoring platform, discussing the challenges and ethics of gathering intelligence from the darkest corners of the internet. The episode wraps up with insights on best practices for digital security and a call for all New Zealanders to stay vigilant.

Join host Paul Spain and Joshua Alcock (Fortinet) as they explore the cybersecurity threats facing Operational Technology (OT) environments and the latest insights from Fortinet’s 2025 Industrial Cybersecurity Report. They also delve into some of the latest tech news, including the launch of AWS data centers in New Zealand, Fieldays’ NZ-Brazil AgriTech opportunities, Microsoft's Internal AI developments, Masterdon's Age verification challenges. Plus, Workdays research into AI Agent adoption in the workplace. Thanks to our Partners One NZ, Workday, 2degrees, HP, Spark and Gorilla Technology

Host Paul Spain chats with Saveun Man, founder of Carpoolin, as they discuss the latest tech news, from emergency service capabilities that allow authorities to pinpoint your location, to the growing debate over privacy, data security, and the use of AI in public policy and elections. Paul and Saveun explore device tracking for road user charges, AI in local elections, the government’s fresh warnings about cybersecurity risks, anti-drone tech, and the ethical dilemmas of facial recognition and digital identity. Plus, Saveun shares about gaming and design at Grinding Gear Games and launching Carpoolin—an app aiming to reduce NZ’s traffic and build stronger communities through shared rides. Join us for another thought-provoking ride on the NZ Tech Podcast! A big thank you to our show partners One NZ, Spark, HP, 2degrees and Gorilla Technology.

In this landmark 750th episode of the NZ Tech Podcast, Paul Spain sits down with Xero founder Rod Drury for an inspiring conversation on New Zealand’s tech landscape. Rod dives into his post-Xero projects, the future of digital identity, challenges of globalisation, the nation’s payment infrastructure, and Queenstown’s innovation as a live lab. Expect fresh insights on AI strategies, public-private collaborations, fintech disruption, and how Kiwi ingenuity can shape the world. Don’t miss this thought-provoking, future-focused episode! Special thanks to our show partners 2degrees, One New Zealand, Spark New Zealand, HP, Workday and Gorilla Technology.

Listen in with host Paul Spain and tech journalist Bill Bennett for a thought-provoking discussion on the government’s proposed road user charges and what data tracking in vehicles really means for privacy and everyday Kiwis. Motorola’s One NZ partnership and new Phone lineup, Privacy Commissioner’s new rules on biometric data, the challenges of cloud and data centre infrastructure, Spark’s recent business shifts, and why satellite broadband is shaking up the telco market. If you care about privacy, tech innovation, or how global giants and local players are shaping the future, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Thanks to our Partners One NZ, Workday, 2degrees, HP, Spark and Gorilla Technology

Join host Paul Spain as he chats with Luke Campbell, co-founder and CEO of VXT. Luke shares his journey of founding VXT while still a student at the University of Canterbury. Recently named Young Achiever of the Year at the 2025 NZ Hi-Tech Awards, Luke opens up about the challenges of launching and pivoting a startup, finding the right co-founder, and how VXT found its niche helping lawyers reclaim valuable time with AI-powered call management. Luke offers honest insights on finding the right problem, fundraising, building company culture, and recruitment tips for aspiring founders. A big thank you to our show partners One NZ, Spark, HP, 2degrees and Gorilla Technology.

Join host Paul Spain and tech veteran Brett Roberts for a wide-ranging conversation on technology in New Zealand and beyond. From So Sweet using lasers to zap weeds on South Island farms to AI-powered safety systems in manufacturing, Paul and Brett discuss some of the latest innovations improving lives and industries. They also dive into updates around New Zealand’s upcoming government digital identity app, privacy and data aggregation concerns, and the balance needed between new technology and personal freedoms. They explore the pros and cons of Starlink’s dominance in satellite connectivity, the ongoing global AI arms race, and how algorithmic decision-making is shaping everything from Uber pricing to insurance. Plus, a look at the upcoming Revved 2025 event with insights from leaders in business and tech including Google NZ, Microsoft, Digital Identity NZ, and more. Special thanks to our show partners 2degrees, One New Zealand, Spark New Zealand, HP, Workday and Gorilla Technology.

Join host Paul Spain and Eoghan Neligan, co-founder of Gravity. Eoghan discusses Gravity’s role as an applied innovation company, working with big business, impact ventures, and startups. Paul and Eoghan go on to explore the latest tech news including the arrival of Tesla’s Full Self Driving technology in New Zealand, Government invests in new Institute for Advanced Technology, Hawke’s Bay plans for new solar farm, WindSurf’s acquisition dramas, Mexico’s biometric ID mandate, global surveillance trends, and digital privacy concerns. On the cybersecurity front, Microsoft’s defense work and a SharePoint vulnerability are discussed, along with the importance of cyber insurance and audits. They also review Motorola’s moto Razr 50 Ultra, moto g05 and moto g15 phones now available in NZ and Paul gives his honest take on the new HP Elitebook Ultra G1 laptop. Tune in for thoughtful insights on the latest tech developments, and helpful hands-on product reviews. Thanks to our Partners One NZ, Workday, 2degrees, HP, Spark and Gorilla Technology

Hear from host Paul Spain and tech journalist Ben Moore as they delve into New Zealand's evolving tech landscape, including the government's ban on crypto ATMs to fight money laundering, the national strategy for AI adoption, and NZ police internet governance. On the global front they explore the latest Robotic surgery success, EU's AI transparency regulations, Nvidia's market USD $4 trillion milestone, Cloudflare’s AI blocker and more. A big thank you to our show partners One NZ, Spark, HP, 2degrees and Gorilla Technology.