NZ Tech Podcast

Hosted by Paul Spain

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Episodes

200

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

Each episode, Paul Spain and guests discuss what's happening in the world of technology, gadgets and telecommunications around the world and in New Zealand.

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60 recent

June 16, 202653 min

Building Cyber Resilience with Fortinet’s Glenn Maiden

Host Paul Spain is joined by Glenn Maiden, Chief Security Officer and Director of Threat Intelligence at Fortinet Aus & NZ. Glenn Maiden brings invaluable insights into today’s rapidly evolving digital threat landscape with practical advice for organisations of all sizes on how to bolster cyber defences against current and future threats.Paul and Glenn also dive into the latest tech news including:TUANZ call for cross-party tech strategy for New Zealand’s digitalAnthropic Suspends latest AI Models Following US Security DirectiveSpaceX launches largest IPO in historyThe emergence of autonomous AI drones in warfareThanks to our partners: Fortinet, One NZ, Workday, 2degrees, Spark, PwC New Zealand, and Gorilla Technology.

June 9, 202644 min

The cost of AI, Scam Prevention, and Digitising Smell with Scentian Bio

Host Paul Spain sits down with Jonathan Good, Co-Founder and CEO of Scentian Bio, to dive into the "digitisation of smell and taste “and what it means for industries in New Zealand and beyond. Jonathan shares about the realities of fundraising both locally and abroad, and the challenges and opportunities of bringing cutting-edge chemical sensing technology to market.Plus, Paul and Jonathan explore the latest tech news, including:Health New Zealand’s Hybrid Cloud MigrationSpark’s Verified Call Feature Against ScamsWorkday’s Go Platform expands to NZ & AU2degrees’ Shaping Business Study 2026Is AI More Expensive Than Humans?UN Report warns of the Environmental Impact of AIA big thank you to our show partners One NZ, Spark, Workday, 2degrees, Fortinet and Gorilla Technology.

June 2, 202659 min

Why Every Boat Needs This: AquaGPS, Boat Theft, and Visibility at Sea

Host Paul Spain is joined by Sam Allen and Nick Walton, co-founders of NZ Boat Register, to explore how Kiwi innovation is improving marine visibility and asset tracking using AquaGPS, a Starlink-enabled GPS solution. The conversation also covers the latest in tech news, including:Game changing Nvidia chip coming to Windows laptops and PCsMSD Welfare decisions moving to AI Automated Decision-MakingNew Zealand’s First Deepfake Porn ProsecutionOne New Zealand AI Trust Report (2026)New Zealand Government budget’s impact on the tech sectorExperimental chip demo shows 1000x performance gainsSpecial thanks to our show partners: Fortinet, Workday, Spark New Zealand, One New Zealand, 2degrees, and Gorilla Technology.

May 26, 202638 min

2026 NZ Hi-Tech Award Winners and Highlights

The 2026 NZ Hi-Tech Awards highlight a sector reaching new heights in innovation, global growth, and impact, celebrating the organisations and individuals driving New Zealand’s tech success story. In this special episode, host Paul Spain speaks with several of this year’s standout winners. Hear from Dr Yoram Benit, CEO of Tait Communications, named NZ Hi-Tech Company of the Year, and Matty Blomfield, co-founder and CEO of Hectre, winner of both the NZTE Most Innovative Hi-Tech Agritech Solution and the Greenmount and Poutama Trust Māori Hi-Tech Company of the Year. We also recognise Vaughan Fergusson’s contribution to the industry as this year’s Flying Kiwi, alongside insights from Jock Richardson and Peter Tait of TCS, winners of the Kiwibank Most Innovative Hi-Tech Solution for a More Sustainable Future. Plus, Arash Tayebi and Noreen Wilson of Kara Technologies share their journey after taking out the 2040 Ventures Hi-Tech Startup Company of the Year. With tech now contributing $24 billion to New Zealand’s economy, this episode explores the momentum behind the sector’s growth and what’s next.Thanks to our partners: One NZ, Workday, 2degrees, Spark, Fortinet, and Gorilla Technology.

May 19, 202656 min

AI Backlash, Mevo’s Collapse, Rural Connectivity, and Device Upgrades

Join Host Paul Spain and Bill Bennett, tech and telecommunications journalist, for a wide-ranging discussion on the latest tech news from New Zealand and beyond, including:Car-sharing startup Mevo goes into liquidationRural connectivity funding reportMobile Network Outages and ResiliencyHydrogen-fuelled vehicles in New ZealandChrome’s Silent AI DownloadAI backlash at US university graduationsApple’s privacy moves to auto-delete Siri/AI conversationsIntel Core Ultra Series 3A big thank you to our show partners One NZ, Spark, Workday, 2degrees, Fortinet and Gorilla Technology.

May 12, 202654 min

Mike Casey: Electric Tech Enabled World First Farm

Paul Spain visits Mike Casey at Electric Cherries in Central Otago for an inspiring dive into tech-driven sustainable farming. Discover how Mike went from tech startup success in Sydney to building New Zealand’s first fully electric cherry orchard, where self-generated solar power slashes costs and future-proofs the business. Explore practical insights on electrification, energy economics, and why making smarter tech choices at every level can transform New Zealand’s prosperity and sustainability.Special thanks to our show partners: 2degrees, Fortinet, One New Zealand, Spark New Zealand, Workday, and Gorilla Technology.

May 5, 202647 min

Exploring Paysquad, AWS data centre build abandoned, China EV risks

Host Paul Spain is joined by Cam Richardson, founder of Paysquad, to dive into the latest in tech news and innovation. They discuss Amazon scrapping its West Auckland data centre plans, the expansion of AI-powered infrastructure in Invercargill, EV charging with ChargeNet, movie deal for a Kiwi-led Roblox game, Apple’s Vision Pro headset future and data security concerns around Chinese EVs. Plus, they break down new rules at the Oscars regarding AI-generated content and Taylor Swift’s play for control in the AI era. Cam also shares the origin, mission, and future vision of Paysquad, a Kiwi fintech making group payments possible at checkout.Thanks to our Partners One NZ, Workday, 2degrees, Spark, Fortinet and Gorilla Technology

April 28, 20261 hr 7 min

Leveraging Agentic AI: Key Strategies with Workday’s Shan Moorthy

Listen in as Paul Spain sits down with Shan Moorthy, Chief Technology Officer for APAC at Workday, for an in-depth conversation on the rapid evolution of AI in the workplace. They explore the latest trends around generative and agentic AI, discuss real-world successes and setbacks from AI adoption, and dig into strategies for organisations looking to leverage AI safely, efficiently, and at scale. This episode offers valuable insights on navigating the complexities of AI integration, covering everything from proof-of-concept pitfalls, governance and compliance to the future of hybrid human-agent workforces. A big thank you to our show partners One NZ, Spark, Workday, 2degrees, Fortinet and Gorilla Technology.

April 21, 20261 hr 12 min

Allbirds AI Pivot, Rocket Lab Innovation + BlinkPay’s Banking Future

Host Paul Spain and Adrian Smith, founder and CEO of BlinkPay, explore open banking, the impacts of the Consumer Product Data Act, and how BlinkPay is helping reshape payments and data sharing in Aotearoa. Adrian delves into the practical challenges of legacy banking tech and the latest innovations in consumer payments. Together they look at the latest tech news including:The dramatic pivot of Allbirds into AI infrastructureRocket Lab’s new electric thruster technologyHidden Bluetooth tracker compromises Dutch warshipGoPro’s fresh camera directionAST Space Mobile satellite mishaps and connectivity possibilitiesSpecial thanks to our show partners: 2degrees, Fortinet, One New Zealand, Spark New Zealand, Workday, and Gorilla Technology.

April 14, 202647 min

Satellites, Space, and Spark: Reshaping Global Connectivity

Join host Paul Spain and Nilay Rathod (Spark) as they explore this week’s tech stories including Scentian Bio’s $7m Boost, Lanaco's wool-based space filtration on Artemis II, Air NZ to expand digital ID trials, Anthropic’s Project Glasswing, China’s supercomputer breach and Amazon Leo launch updates. Plus, Nilay discusses how Spark’s collaboration with Starlink is revolutionising connectivity, the impacts of shutting down 3G, the role of AI in business transformation and cybersecurity and what’s next for Spark.Thanks to our Partners Spark New Zealand, One NZ, Workday, 2degrees, Fortinet and Gorilla Technology

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