31 MARCH 2027
GRAND MILLENNIUM, AUCKLAND

Strategic Data, Analytics & AI Conference

TURNING AI AMBITION INTO INTELLIGENT ENTERPRISE

AI is no longer just about personal productivity tools or isolated experiments – it is actively reshaping how modern organisations operate, make decisions, and drive long-term value. However, scaling from fragmented pilots to an integrated, AI-enabled enterprise presents complex challenges. Success requires far more than acquiring new software; it demands clear strategic alignment, trusted data foundations, resilient cybersecurity, robust governance, and empowered teams.

The Strategy of Data, Analytics & AI Conference brings together senior executives, data and analytics specialists, and transformation leaders to explore how to bridge the gap between AI ambition and enterprise execution. Join us to gain actionable frameworks for navigating emerging risks, building core data capabilities, and leading your organisation into an AI-driven future.

WHAT WE'LL EXPLORE

Key themes

AI Transformation: Transitioning from standalone AI tools to fully autonomous, agentic workflows and scalable enterprise capability.
Intelligent Organisation: Aligning advanced analytics, AI, and business strategy to drive smarter decision-making and operational value.
Data Foundations & Trust: Navigating data sovereignty, cloud architectures, and regulatory frameworks to ensure your data remains a secure strategic asset.
Risk, Cybersecurity & Resilience: Safeguarding sensitive assets against AI-driven threats while building proportionate controls that enable innovation.
People, Leadership & Culture: Preparing workforce models, establishing executive accountability, and driving sustainable organisational change.

Agenda

31 MARCH 2027

8:30	Registration and Coffee
9:00	Welcome from the Chair
9:10	Opening Keynote: Leading the future of work in a data-driven world Understanding how organisations need to evolve as data, AI and technology reshape the way we work Looking beyond today’s challenges to define future-ready strategy and competitive advantage Exploring how the workforce and leadership roles must evolve as AI becomes embedded in decision-making Balancing technology advancement with human capability, trust and collaboration Moving from AI tools and experimentation towards AI-enabled organisations that deliver real business outcomes Tighe Wall, Chief Technology Officer, Contact Energy
9:40	C-Suite Panel: Putting strategy first: How leaders are navigating the AI transformation How AI is influencing business strategy and decision-making Moving beyond experimentation towards enterprise adoption Defining what success looks like before investing in technology Aligning AI, data and analytics initiatives with business priorities The role of executives in driving transformation Balancing innovation, investment and organisational risk Marco A. Ciobo, Principal & Founder \| Digital Insights and Transformation, Advisor, Bain & Company, Cyient Sharyn Reichstein, Chief Risk Officer, Tower
10.20	Moving from experimentation to intelligent organisations Identifying the right opportunities for AI adoption Moving beyond Copilot and basic productivity use cases Understanding the rise of AI agents and autonomous workflows Exploring where AI agents can transform business processes Building capability across teams
10:50	Morning break
11:20	From data to intelligence: Turning insights into better business decisions Moving beyond dashboards and reporting towards real-time decision intelligence Combining data, analytics and AI to anticipate outcomes and recommend action Exploring how AI agents and autonomous workflows are changing decision-making Identifying where AI is delivering measurable business value Building organisations where data, AI and human judgement work together Turning intelligence into faster, smarter and more confident decisions
11:40	The hallmarks of good AI governance: From legislation to practical control Understanding where NZ's current legislation, regulatory guidance, and international developments actually create obligations Translating high-level responsible AI principles into policies their organisation can actually operate Applying a governance model for agentic AI Mapping governance responsibilities across board, executive, technology, data, and business-owner roles Designing proportionate controls that scale with risk rather than blocking adoption outright
12.00	Quickfire presentation: Moving beyond AI pilots Are we data ready? Partnering and contracts
1:00	Lunch
2:00	Panel discussion: When transformation gets hard: Lessons from AI, Data and Digital change Why technology initiatives fail Common mistakes when implementing AI and analytics Managing expectations and avoiding over-reliance on technology Learning from setbacks and adapting quickly Building resilience into transformation journeys Caroline Webb, Principal Advisor - Digital Innovation, ACC New Zealand Pouria Asghari, Head of GTM Ecosystems & AI, Halter Wayne Bloem, Director of Technology, Ritchies Transport Holdings Limited Anupama Wijesundara, Data and Performance Lead / Board Member, TWOW/Kites
2:40	Data Sovereignty: Taking control of your most valuable asset Understanding why data sovereignty has become a strategic priority Managing where organisational data is stored, accessed and processed Navigating increasing regulatory, privacy and security expectations Understanding the implications of using global AI platforms and cloud providers Ensuring data decisions align with business risk appetite and long-term strategy Tuscany Joelle-Hui, Portfolio Product Manager \| Data & AI, TVNZ
3.20	Afternoon break
3:50	Bringing your board and organisation on the AI journey How leaders should communicate AI strategy with their boards Educating directors on opportunities, limitations and risks Establishing clear accountability and governance frameworks Building responsible AI principles Ensuring AI investments align with organisational strategy
4:25	Closing keynote: Cyber security, protecting the intelligent organisation How AI is changing cyber threats and vulnerabilities Understanding the risks of increased automation and AI agents Protecting sensitive organisational data Building a cyber security culture across your organisation Educating employees to become part of your defence strategy New battleground of AI vs AI: Balancing innovation with responsible risk management Paul Jepson, Chief Digital and Data Officer, FMG
5:00	Chair's summary remarks and end of conference followed by networking reception

Speakers

Check back soon for updates

Anupama Wijesundara

Data and Performance Lead / Board Member

TWOW/Kites

Read bio

Anupama is a data, strategy and governance leader with over 10 years of experience across the health, social services and community sectors. His expertise spans organisational strategy, data and analytics, operational leadership, transformation, governance and service improvement, with a strong focus on translating complexity into clear strategic direction and action. He has led multidisciplinary teams and major organisational initiatives, working across both strategy and execution to strengthen organisational performance, data governance, service delivery and decision-making. Anupama’s background in social work, combined with extensive experience in data, project management, technology and operational leadership, provides him with a distinctive systems-thinking and human-centred perspective on organisational transformation. He is particularly focused on connecting people, data, technology and strategy to break down organisational silos, strengthen organisational capability and build more responsive systems that deliver sustainable outcomes for communities.

Tuscany Joelle-Hui

Portfolio Product Manager | Data & AI

TVNZ

Read bio

Caroline Webb

Principal Advisor - Digital Innovation

ACC New Zealand

Read bio

Paul Jepson

Chief Digital and Data Officer

FMG

Read bio

Paul joined the Mutual in February 2024 as Chief Information Officer (Chief Digital and Data Officer as of February 2026), bringing over 30 years’ experience within the digital and information technology transformation space. He’s worked for several organisations within the UK and New Zealand, including a range of executive roles, including Chief Information Officer at The Electoral Commission, IT Director at Newcastle Building Society, Deputy Chief Executive at the Earthquake Commission (EQC) and Chief Information Officer at the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC). His authentic leadership style has seen him lead large and diverse teams within the private and public sectors, covering strategy definition through to operational execution. Paul also enjoys coaching and mentoring and has been a mentor for Women in Technology Leadership since 2020.

Pouria Asghari

Head of GTM Ecosystems & AI

Halter

Read bio

Pouria Asghari is a product and technology leader with deep experience building and scaling digital products, go-to-market systems, and AI-driven customer experiences. He is currently Head of GTM Ecosystems & AI at Halter, where he leads the technology ecosystem across sales, customer support and operations, with a focus on AI-first automation and scalable commercial systems. Previously, Pouria held product and technology leadership roles at MediaWorks New Zealand, leading product, AI, CRM and digital delivery across some of the country’s largest media platforms. His career spans more than a decade across New Zealand, the UAE and Spain, with experience across product, AI, CRM, data and digital transformation.

Sharyn Reichstein

Chief Risk Officer

Tower NZ

Read bio

Sharyn joined Tower in July 2023 as Chief Risk Officer, bringing deep expertise in enterprise risk, financial regulation, and corporate governance. Previously General Manager, General Insurance at APRA, she led supervision of Australia’s general insurance industry and chaired APRA’s General Insurance Industry Group. With experience across banking, insurance, and superannuation, Sharyn is highly skilled in stress testing, policy development, supervision frameworks, and strategic risk management.

Tighe Wall

Chief Transformation Officer

Contact Energy

Read bio

STANDALONE WORKSHOP (1 APRIL 2027) - Attend on its own or bundle with the 31 March conference

From AI Approval to Audit Readiness

This practical, hands-on workshop takes participants through a real-world AI adoption decision, showing how ISO/IEC 42001 can be applied to move from “Can we approve this?” to “Can we prove we governed it?”

Using a fictional organisation and a Microsoft 365 Copilot adoption scenario, participants will work through the key risks, responsibilities, controls and evidence needed to make AI adoption defensible and audit-ready.

Scoping an AI Management System for a real-world organisational scenario
Assessing an AI adoption decision and identify the risks, responsibilities and obligations that need to be addressed
Translating the decision into practical controls, policies and governance processes
Identifying what good evidence looks like for demonstrating responsible and compliant AI use
Exploring how ISO/IEC 42001 works alongside ISO/IEC 27001 and existing governance frameworks
Building an ongoing management approach for monitoring and governing AI after approval
Developing a practical 90-day roadmap to strengthen AI governance and audit readiness

Facilitated by Owais Nawchoo, Consultant

Attend for $799+gst standalone, or bundle with conference for $400+gst

This event is ideal for:

Executives and leaders: Those responsible for driving strategic change and organisational transformation.
Change management professionals: Individuals who specialise in managing and leading change initiatives.
HR professionals: HR leaders and practitioners interested in fostering a culture of change and employee engagement.
Consultants and advisors: Professionals who support organisations in their change and transformation journeys.
Anyone seeking to develop their leadership skills and ability to navigate change.

Tickets

$1299

$ 499 + gst

Conference Only - For valid ticket/s, payment by 30 October 2026. Offer only available to enterprise and public sector end-users.

$2098

$ 899 + gst

Conference + ISO/IEC 42001 Workshop (1 April 2027) - For valid ticket/s, payment by 30 October 2026. Offer only available to enterprise and public sector end-users.

$ 799 + gst

ISO/IEC 42001 Workshop (1 April 2027) - For valid ticket/s, payment by 31 March 2027. Offer only available to enterprise and public sector end-users.

$1299

$ 599 + gst, per person

Conference Only - For valid ticket/s, payment by 31 March 2027. Offer only available to enterprise and public sector end-users. Attendees must be from the same organisation.

$2098

$ 999 + gst, per person

Conference + ISO/IEC 42001 Workshop (1 April 2027) - For valid ticket/s, payment by 31 March 2027. Offer only available to enterprise and public sector end-users. Attendees must be from same organisation.

$2199

$ 1899 + gst

For valid ticket, payment by 21 September, 2026.

$ 2199 + gst

For valid ticket, payment by 19 October, 2026.

$2199

$ 1499 + gst

For valid ticket, payment by 24 July, 2026.

Registration Conditions

Ticket Terms
All prices are in New Zealand dollars ($NZD)
A surcharge of 2.5% + GST applies to credit card payments on top of the total amount.
Super Early Bird Tickets are valid only for the specific event for which they were purchased and cannot be transferred to other events. To remain valid, tickets must be paid by date quoted.
Group ticket options are valid for registrations from the same organisation, booked at the same time.
By selecting any special pricing offer for classes of organisation, sector, or individuals or using any promotion code, you are asserting to the organiser your right to claim any such pricing offer, and acknowledge the organiser’s right to audit such claim and, if in the opinion of the organiser using its sole discretion the conditions for special pricing are not met, reject any registration.

For full terms & conditions, please visit https://www.brightstar.co.nz/terms-and-conditions

Explore event insights

Thanks to our Media Partners

Align Your Brand with Data, Analytics
& AI Decision-Makers

Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities

Connect with the executive decision-makers defining New Zealand’s AI and data future.

The Strategy of Data, Analytics & AI Conference gathers C-suite leaders, tech executives, and transformation leads across NZ enterprise. This is your platform to showcase your solutions directly to key buyers as they navigate AI adoption, agentic workflows, data sovereignty, and governance.

A limited number of sponsorship and exhibition packages are available—delivering targeted brand exposure before, during, and after the event, alongside direct access to budget-holding decision-makers.

Partner with New Zealand’s premier enterprise AI event. Contact us today to discuss a tailored sponsorship package.

Venue

The location and how you can get there

Address

Grand Millennium
71 Mayoral Drive,
Auckland

Check out our other upcoming events

Conference

The Strategy of Data, Analytics & AI Conference

Mar 31, 2027 - Mar 31, 2027

Auckland

Training

AI in the Classroom

Nov 19, 2026 - Nov 20, 2026

Christchurch

Conference

Fleet, Tech & e-Mobility Conference & Expo

Apr 29, 2027 - Apr 29, 2027

Auckland

Conference

Digitising Government New Zealand

Mar 22, 2027 - Mar 23, 2027

Wellington

Conference

National Cyber Security Summit

Mar 22, 2027 - Mar 23, 2027

Wellington

Conference

The Finance & Accounting Technology Conference

Sep 4, 2025 - Sep 4, 2025

Auckland

Make an enquiry or register your interest

Got questions or want to stay in the loop? Write to us.

31 MARCH 2027 GRAND MILLENNIUM, AUCKLAND

Strategic Data, Analytics & AI Conference

TURNING AI AMBITION INTO INTELLIGENT ENTERPRISE

WHAT WE'LL EXPLORE

Key themes

Agenda

Speakers

Check back soon for updates

Anupama Wijesundara

Tuscany Joelle-Hui

Caroline Webb

Paul Jepson

Pouria Asghari

Sharyn Reichstein

Tighe Wall

STANDALONE WORKSHOP (1 APRIL 2027) - Attend on its own or bundle with the 31 March conference

From AI Approval to Audit Readiness

This event is ideal for:

Tickets

CONFERENCE

CONFERENCE + WORKSHOP

WORKSHOP ONLY

CONFERENCE | GROUP 3+

CONFERENCE + WORKSHOP | GROUP 3+

SINGLE TICKET

SINGLE TICKET

SUPER EARLY BIRD

Registration Conditions

Explore event insights

Thanks to our Media Partners

Align Your Brand with Data, Analytics & AI Decision-Makers

Venue

The location and how you can get there

Check out our other upcoming events

Make an enquiry or register your interest

General Contact

31 MARCH 2027
GRAND MILLENNIUM, AUCKLAND

Align Your Brand with Data, Analytics
& AI Decision-Makers