Nz Tech Podcast

Callum McMenamin (OpenAccess) joins host Paul Spain to unpack Manage My Health data breach, exploring critical shortcomings in cybersecurity and the lack of mandatory multi-factor authentication. They also cover Kereru.ai’s sovereign AI project with SCX.ai, plus CES 2026 highlights including gadgets, LG’s CLOiD chore robot, LEGO’s sensor‑packed Smart Bricks, Boston Dynamics’ production Atlas, Intel’s Core Ultra Series 3 comeback bid, Nvidia’s Alpamayo autonomous driving platform and CES 2026 “Worst in Show”. Plus Kindle Colorsoft review and more.Thanks to our Partners One NZ, Workday, 2degrees, HP, Spark and Gorilla Technology

Host Paul Spain talks with Robomate founder Lachlan Murray about how robotics are transforming life in New Zealand. They cover Robomate’s origins, advances in robotic lawnmowers and vacuums and the challenges of importing and supporting these technologies locally. Murray emphasizes fit-for-purpose products and strong customer support. The episode explores China’s rapid robotics innovation, future AI trends, and how smart devices are reshaping homes and businesses across Aotearoa. Perfect for tech enthusiasts and curious homeowners alike!Special thanks to our show partners 2degrees, One New Zealand, Spark New Zealand, Workday and Gorilla Technology.

Listen in as host Paul Spain sits down with Chris Smith, Co-founder and CEO of Count, an AI-powered accounting platform aiming to disrupt the likes of Xero and traditional accounting software. Chris shares his journey from early startups like Dash Tickets at university, and STQRY to working with Meta, and the inspiration and challenges behind launching Count. He discusses its rapid growth, global team, and competitive edge against industry giants. They also explore lessons learned from Silicon Valley, AI-driven development, and the future of New Zealand’s tech ecosystem.A big thank you to our show partners One NZ, Spark, Workday, 2degrees and Gorilla Technology.

Hear from Paul Spain and Ben O'Brien as they unpack the latest tech news including NZ Police’s redaction glitch, a new Government Digital Delivery Agency, smart TV privacy concerns, James Powell's transition from Dawn Aerospace and Waymo’s outage pause and the future of autonomous vehicles. Plus, Ben O'Brien shares insights from his upcoming book for founders. A must-listen for tech enthusiasts and entrepreneurs!We'd love to get your feedback, please fill in our short survey and go into the draw for some great tech giveaways. Audience Survey - December 2025 - NZ Tech PodcastThanks to our Partners One NZ, Workday, 2degrees, HP, Spark and Gorilla Technology

Join Paul Spain and Greg Shanahan, Managing Director at Veriphi and TIN, as they delve into the 2025 TIN Report revealing key takeaways, growth sectors, the evolving world of tech exports, and how NZ companies are navigating the challenges and opportunities in capital, talent, and global competition. They also discuss some of the latest tech news including the new Govt.nz app, 3G shutdown timelines, and Australia’s under‑16 social media ban. Plus, NZ Tech Podcast survey giveaways and a quick guide to top Christmas tech gifts including the reMarkable Paper Pro Move, WiZ Floor Light and Philip's Hue Play wall washer. Special thanks to our show partners 2degrees, One New Zealand, Spark New Zealand, Workday and Gorilla Technology.

Host Paul Spain is joined by tech journalist Bill Bennett to unpack the latest tech news, including Two Kiwi made apps scoop Apple’s 2025 App Store Awards, Open banking is officially mandated in New Zealand. We discuss banks’ device and behavioural surveillance, RAM price hikes and India’s compulsory cyber safety app. Plus Motorola's latest phones and our Christmas Tech Gifts guide featuring Dyson’s PencilVac, AirPods Pro 3 and more.A big thank you to our show partners One NZ, Spark, Workday, HP, 2degrees and Gorilla Technology.

Hear from host Paul Spain and Professional race car driver, James Corban, as they dive into the world of motorsport. James Corban his unique journey from racing novice to championship winner, and explains how data, simulators, and the right mindset have played a vital role in his rapid rise. The conversation explores everything from professional-grade sim racing setups to the challenges—and costs—of entering international motorsport, with insider insights on how elite drivers use data and simulators to enhance their performance, the importance of fitness in racing, and the evolving safety technology—like the F1 halo. Paul and James also review the Logitech Trueforce RS50 racing wheel and pedals, discuss advancements in sim racing equipment, and weigh in on the current F1 season. This episode has valuable insights, expert advice, and some great giveaways.We'd love to get your feedback, please fill in our short survey and go into the draw for some great tech giveaways. Audience Survey - December 2025 - NZ Tech

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, H

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 NetworksSpecial 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.Special thanks to our show partners 2degrees, One New Zealand, Spark New Zealand, HP, Workday and Gorilla Technology.

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