Paul Littlefair appointed Chair to lead TUANZ strategic future
Paul Littlefair has been appointed as Chair of the Technology Users Association of New Zealand (TUANZ) Board.
Littlefair succeeds Tristan Ilich, who has served as Chair for the past six years and will remain on the Board following his tenure as Chair. The appointment has been made as TUANZ seeks to drive its refreshed strategy, which prioritises access and inclusion, trust and safety, education, generative AI, and data privacy.
Experienced leadership
Paul Littlefair brings technology leadership experience to the role. He is currently the Chief Digital and Technology Officer at Kiwibank and has previously held several senior technology roles in the financial services sector. Littlefair's expertise includes cloud computing, agile software delivery, DevOps, data management, infrastructure, and enterprise architecture. He was recognised as New Zealand's Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Year in 2019 and has served on the TUANZ Board since 2021.
Craig Young, CEO of TUANZ, commented on the appointment. He said,
"Paul brings deep technology leadership, proven governance experience and a strong commitment to developing the next generation of digital leaders. His track record across complex transformation, modern delivery and data-driven innovation will help guide TUANZ's work to ensure all New Zealanders can thrive in a digitally connected Aotearoa."
Focus on impact
Littlefair emphasised the importance of TUANZ's work in advocacy and leadership development. He stated,
"TUANZ plays a critical role advocating for users, lifting digital capability, and building trust and safety online. I'm especially passionate about growing future leaders. Programmemes like TUANZ's FLINT and NextGen Leaders create powerful pathways to develop the skills and confidence New Zealand needs to compete globally."
He outlined his priorities as Chair, highlighting the need for sensible collaboration between industry and government. He said,
"As Chair, my focus will be on practical impact: partnering across industry and government to improve access and inclusion, foster responsible and innovative use of generative AI, strengthen data privacy, and continue building the digital skills that communities and businesses need. For our members, that means TUANZ continues to be a powerful voice, driving real outcomes that matter, creating opportunities for connection, learning, and influence. If you're passionate about shaping the future of technology in Aotearoa, this is the place to be."
Board transition
Littlefair acknowledged the contributions of outgoing Chair Tristan Ilich, saying,
"I'd like to sincerely thank Tristan Ilich for his outstanding service. Tristan has been a member of the TUANZ Board since 2016 and an exceptional Chair for the past six years. Under his leadership, TUANZ has evolved from a telecommunications-focused user association into one with a broader technology remit, reflecting the changing needs of our sector. While Tristan is stepping down as Chair, I'm pleased that he will remain on the Board, and TUANZ will continue to benefit from his experience and leadership."
Strategic direction
The TUANZ Board, under Littlefair's chairmanship, will focus on five core themes in its new strategy: access and inclusion, trust and safety, education, generative AI, and data privacy. These areas have been identified by TUANZ as critical for ensuring meaningful engagement and participation by technology users across New Zealand.
Littlefair, who migrated from the United Kingdom in 1998 and is now based in Wellington, brings an international perspective to the role. His appointment is expected to support the organisation's efforts to promote responsible technology use and the development of digital skills throughout the country.
