PODCAST · technology
Tech Waka Podcast
by Tech Waka Podcast
Tech Waka Podcast: Journeys of New Zealand Tech and Product Leaders.Here we dive into the stories of New Zealand's top tech and product leaders. Your host, Jakub Jurkiewicz, brings you conversations with CTOs, CIOs, CPOs, CPTOs and tech innovators from across Aotearoa. Join us as we uncover the experiences, challenges, and successes that shape our tech community. This is where New Zealand's technology and product journeys unfold.
Episodes
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The best leaders don't have a style. They have a whole wardrobe. Situational leadership: the map I wish I'd had ten years ago
For a long time I was proud of how I lead: give people the vision, give them trust, get out of the way. Then I handed a big new area to someone brilliant, did exactly that, and watched them slowly fall apart. This episode is about situational leadership: the four stages every person moves through...
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Rework Is the Modelling You Didn't Do — Andrea Magnorsky on systems, decisions and feeling
Andrea Magnorsky started out writing Delphi and C#, went off to build video games, fell for functional programming and F#, and somewhere along the way accidentally invented a practice for helping teams understand their own systems. In this episode, we pick up the decision-making thread from our...
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Teaming as a Verb with Ammar Sagban
We call almost any group of people "a team." But is it? Ammar Sagban has spent his master's research chasing that exact question, and his answer starts with a small shift that changes everything: teaming isn't a noun; it's a verb. Something you do, on purpose. In this episode, Ammar is just weeks...
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The Search Is the Job: What Nobody Tells You About Exec Roles in NZ
Looking for an executive role in New Zealand is nothing like looking for a senior one. The market is smaller, the rules are unwritten, and most of what decides outcomes happens in rooms you're not in. In this solo episode, Jakub shares three big ideas that reframed how he thought about the exec...
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What If the Agent Gets Promoted? Joekub Joins Tech Waka
After three years, Joekub is back, and this time they brought a startup, an AI agent that writes project updates in five minutes, and some very uncomfortable questions about your career trajectory. Jakub and Joe (collectively: Joekub) reunite on Tech Waka for a wide-ranging conversation about...
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"Quit If Your CEO Isn't Using AI" with John-D Trask
JD Trask has been building global tech companies from Wellington since 2007, first Mindscape, then Raygun, now Autohive. When ChatGPT arrived, he didn't wait to see what happened. He shut down his company for a week, made every employee pass an engineering hiring test using AI, and started...
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27% More Productive or Just Working Weekends? The Real Impact of AI on Dev Teams with Lauren Peate
Lauren Peate and her team at Multitudes spent 15 months researching how AI is actually impacting engineering teams, following 500+ developers, surveying hundreds of leaders, and conducting in-depth interviews. What they found challenges the hype: engineers merged 27% more PRs after AI rollouts…
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What CTOs Need Help With - with Daniel Walters
Daniel Walters is a consultant, CTO coach, and former CTO of Seek Asia - one of Southeast Asia's largest job platforms. He is the founder of Great CTO, where he works with technology executives across New Zealand and beyond. He is also the co-creator of an AI-assisted engineering course, now...
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Stop Scaling Functions, Start Scaling the Journey with Sarah Clearwater
Why are your teams busy, but the business isn't growing the way it should? Sarah Clearwater, founder of Reframer and customer experience strategist, explains how siloed KPIs create invisible dysfunction — marketing optimises for volume, sales for conversion, product for features, and engineering...
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Are NZ leaders underrated? with Paul Meyrick and Stuart Collins
Sometimes it feels like senior leadership in New Zealand tech isn’t recognised at the level it should be , especially when big roles come up, and decision-makers look offshore for “proven experience”. In this episode, Jakub is joined by Paul Meyrick and Stuart Collins from Wires Uncrossed to…
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From Episodes to Ecosystem: Tech Waka Year Two
This episode is a little different. Instead of a guest, I’m taking a moment to reflect on Tech Waka’s second year — and how it grew from a podcast into a community for New Zealand tech leaders. This episode is sponsored by Wires Uncrossed.
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High-Stakes Transformations with Allan Sampson
Transformations don’t fail because of slide decks – they fail in the messy middle, where people are stressed, alignment drifts, and hard problems finally make their way to the top. In this episode, Jakub sits down with Allan Sampson, Executive General Manager – New Zealand at Gentrack, who has...
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From IC to Leader (and Back Again): Owning Your Career Path with Craig Bensemann
What makes a retro actually useful—and why do so many senior devs stall out? Craig Bensemann brings sharp insights and real-world fixes. Too many teams are “doing agile” without improving. And too many senior devs are stuck, unsure what’s next. Craig Bensemann—senior developer, mentor, and author...
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1 in 4 Users Left Out? Why Accessibility Is a Tech Leadership Issue with Maia Miller
1 in 4 New Zealanders live with a disability. Maia Miller says it’s time our tech reflected that, and she shows how leaders can start today. In this episode of the Tech Waka Podcast, we sit down with Maia Miller, founder of Aleph Accessibility, to unpack the why, how, and impact of building...
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From Outsider to Security Founder with Ankita Dhakar
From no tech background to leading a cybersecurity startup — Ankita Dhakar is reshaping how NZ does pentesting. What happens when you have no tech background, no network, and still decide to start a cybersecurity company? Ankita Dhakar did exactly that — and today she’s the founder and CEO of...
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BEACON - The off-site NZ tech leaders need with Andrea Magnorsky
Andrea Magnorsky joins Jakub to pull back the curtain on BEACON — a tech leadership off-site in Auckland on Mon 13 October 2025. Morning: six 20-minute talks + panels across people, product, and architecture. Afternoon: an unconference to tackle your real problems with peers. Theme: Sustainable...
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Half-Year Check-In: What We Built Together at Tech Waka
A mid-year pit stop for Tech Waka. In this short solo episode, Jakub wraps the first ten episodes and what the community built together—mentoring, meetups, and a new conference on the horizon. A big thank-you to our first sponsor, Wires Uncrossed, who are uplifting engineering maturity across New...
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It’s OK Not to Be OK: Mental Health and Leadership in Tech with Diego Nievas
In this deeply honest episode of the Tech Waka Podcast, Diego Nievas, CTO at Atturra, opens up about mental health in the tech industry — from personal struggles with depression to the pressures of leadership in a world of constant change. We explore: Why mental wellbeing is still a taboo topic…
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Mentorship Power: Real Stories from the Tech Waka Community
episodeWhat happens when you give experienced mentors and ambitious tech professionals a space to connect, reflect, and grow together? In this episode, we hear from Barbara and James, two participants in the first Tech Waka Mentorship cohort. From overcoming self-doubt and navigating job...
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How Summer of Tech is Changing Tech Careers in New Zealand with Ruth McDavitt
In this episode of Tech Waka, host Jakub Jurkiewicz sits down with Ruth McDavitt, CEO of Summer of Tech — the platform that’s been helping thousands of students transition into paid tech internships across New Zealand since 2006. Ruth shares the story behind Summer of Tech’s founding, the…
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Shadow AI: The Invisible Risk Already Shaping Your Business, with Ben Mosier
Shadow AI is already in your organization — but can you see it? In this special Tech Waka episode, we share a live recording from a recent Tech Waka Leadership Collective meetup featuring Ben Mosier, a strategy teaming consultant who helps leaders align around complex challenges. Ben takes us…
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The Hidden Value of Delay with Joshua Arnold
In this episode of Tech Waka, we sit down with Joshua Arnold, a seasoned product and technology leader who’s worked across the UK, Europe, and New Zealand. Joshua dives deep into the concept of Cost of Delay and how it can transform the way we prioritize work — not just for efficiency, but for...
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The Hierarchy of Engineering Needs with Myles Henaghan
What do high-performing engineering teams really need to thrive? In this episode, I talk with Myles Henaghan, Managing Director at Wires Uncrossed and former GM of Engineering at Xero. Myles shares the backstory and structure of the Hierarchy of Engineering Needs — an open-source framework…
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All of Us Are Scientists: Clarissa Côrtes Pires on the art and science of Decision Making
In this episode of the Tech Waka Podcast, host Jakub sits down with Clarissa Côrtes Pires, Decision Science Capability Lead at Mercury NZ, to explore the intersection of science, creativity, and strategy. With a PhD in innovation management and a career spanning academia, startups, and large...
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The Mentorship Advantage: Building Better Tech Leaders with Saif Ali
In this episode of Tech Waka, we talk with Saif Ali, Engineering Manager at Gentrack, about his fascinating transition from developer to people leader across cultures and continents. Saif shares honest reflections on the challenges of early leadership, the power of mentorship, and why listening…
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America’s Cup: Teamwork, Tech, and Tough Decisions with Brad Terpstra
In this episode, Brad Terpstra shares his fascinating journey from managing IT for American Magic during the America's Cup in Auckland to leading tech initiatives at Halter, an ag-tech startup transforming agriculture. Brad discusses the reality behind the cutting-edge technology of America's Cup...
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The Tech Waka Mentorship Program
Leadership in tech is tough, but you don’t have to do it alone. In this episode, we introduce the Tech Waka Mentoring Program—a 5-month journey connecting aspiring tech leaders with world-class mentors. Learn why mentorship is a game-changer, what you’ll gain from the program, and how to apply.…
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Celebrating 20 Episodes: Reflections, Milestones, and What’s Next for Tech Waka
Join Jakub as he celebrates 20 episodes of the Tech Waka podcast, reflecting on milestones, guest insights, and plans for 2025.
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Systems Thinking, AI, and Innovation with Annie Vella
In this episode of the Tech Waka Podcast, I sit down with Annie Vella, Distinguished Engineer at Westpac, to explore the intersection of systems thinking, technical leadership, and the transformative impact of AI on software engineering. Annie shares how systems shape outcomes, the evolving role…
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From Individual Contributor to CTO: Chris Bertram's Leadership Journey
In episode #18, Chris Bertram shares his inspiring journey from a long tenure at Gentrack to stepping into a new industry and role as CTO at Fuse IT. He discusses the challenges, surprises, and valuable lessons of transitioning from a technical leader to a people leader while driving innovation…
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Legacy Tech, M&A, and SaaS Transformation: Lessons from Jan Behrens
In this episode of the Tech Waka podcast, we sit down with Jan Behrens, CTO at Devoli, to explore the intersection of technology and business leadership. Jan shares his insights on navigating complex challenges in tech leadership, drawing from his vast experience in legacy technology…
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Mastering Strategic Choices: A Deep Dive into Strategy with Gareth Ward
n this episode of the Tech Waka podcast, I sit down with strategy specialist Gareth Ward to explore the intricacies of strategic thinking and execution. Key themes include: Defining Strategy: Understanding what truly differentiates good strategy from bad strategy. The Power of Choice: How making...
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Navigating Cybersecurity and Enterprise Tech: Insights from Fred Laury
In this episode of the Tech Waka podcast, we chat with Fred Laury, the newly appointed Executive GM at Xero. Fred shares his journey from France to New Zealand and his extensive career in cybersecurity and enterprise technology. He discusses his pivotal experiences, including his time as Chief...
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Leading with Purpose with Edwin Monk-Fromont
In this episode of the Tech Waka Podcast, Edwin Monk-Fromont, an experienced technical leader, shares his insights on leading a purpose-driven organization focused on software development in the health sector. Edwin discusses the unique challenges and rewards of his role, the importance of...
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Scaling Success with Alex Henderson
In this episode of the Tech Waka podcast, we interview Alex Henderson, an experienced technical leader, to uncover insights from his extensive career in New Zealand's tech industry. We cover: Business Understanding: Alex emphasizes the necessity for engineers to understand how their business…
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Coaching Habit - Transforming Your Tech Leadership
In this episode of TechWaka, we explore the transformative power of coaching in technology leadership. We review Michael Bungay Stanier's "The Coaching Habit," and discuss seven key questions that every tech leader could use to enhance their coaching approach. This episode is a must-listen for...
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Mastering the CTO Role: Insights from Martin Wildash
In this TechWaka podcast episode, we interview Martin Wildash, who delves into the complexities and responsibilities of a Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Martin shares his journey and insights into the CTO role, discussing various aspects from strategic decision-making to key relationships within…
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Leadership Principles with David Corbett
In this episode of the Tech Waka podcast, we talk with David Corbett, COO of Timecloud. We discuss David's journey and insights into improving leadership and teamwork. We cover: The importance of learning from mistakes and staying curious. Transitioning from a technical role to a leadership...
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From Curiosity to Leadership: Blueprint for Women in Tech with Chardi Taylor
In this Tech Waka podcast episode featuring Chardi Taylor, a product leader, we explore several key themes: Chardi's Path: From childhood curiosity to tech leadership, highlighting her shift from law to technology. Moving to New Zealand: Adjusting to a new country, building a tech network, and...
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How Autonomy and Accountability Fuel Success with Cara Fonseca-Ensor
In this episode with Cara Fonseca-Ensor, we explore key themes around fostering a successful team environment: The Balance Between Autonomy and Accountability: Cara discusses how autonomy encourages innovation while accountability ensures that innovations are effectively implemented. The…
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From Fashion Design to Tech Leadership: Wendy Stevenson-Vrame's Inspiring Journey
In this episode of the TechWaka podcast, we welcome Wendy Stevenson-Vrame, Engineering Manager at TradeMe. Our conversation was about: Career Journey: Wendy discusses her unconventional path from fashion design to tech leadership, including experiences in investment banking, HR, and recruitment,...
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From Music to Tech Leadership with Rachel Collingridge
In this episode of the TechWaka podcast, Jakub sits down with Rachel Collingridge, Head of Engineering at Totara, to discuss the symphony of leadership, teamwork, and the continuous pursuit of learning in the tech world. From the foggy heights of Wellington's Karori suburb, Rachel shares her...
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Celebrating Women Leaders in New Zealand Tech
In this special episode of Tech Waka, we honour International Women's Day by spotlighting the incredible achievements of female leaders in New Zealand's technology scene. This episode introduces our March theme, where we will present engaging interviews and insightful discussions, we will explore...
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Navigating Trade-offs and leading with imperfection with Colin Bowern
In this episode of the TechWaka podcast, we welcome Colin Bowern, Senior Vice President of Product at Octopus Deploy, to share his vast experiences and insights from the tech industry. Colin delves into the complexities and challenges of leadership in technology, emphasizing the importance of...
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Diversity, inclusion and triathlon with Anna Cupples
This episode of the TechWaka podcast features the journey of Anna Cupples, Head of Engineering at Trade Me and an accomplished triathlete. The conversation covers the importance of flexibility and resilience in engineering delivery, the value of diverse teams in technology development, and...
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Models with Gareth Cronin
In episode #2 of the TechWaka podcast, we welcome Gareth Cronin, a legend in New Zealand's technology scene. Gareth, known for his role in growing and innovating tech companies such as Xero, Ambit, and more, shares his journey and insights into the future of technology in New Zealand and beyond....
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Launching Our Waka: Hopes and fears of the unknowns
This is us launching the Tech Waka Podcast, where we explore the journeys of New Zealand Tech Leaders. In this episode, we dive into the why behind the podcast, the hopes and fears, and what you can expect. Join our waka! ⛵️
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Tech Waka Podcast: Journeys of New Zealand Tech and Product Leaders.Here we dive into the stories of New Zealand's top tech and product leaders. Your host, Jakub Jurkiewicz, brings you conversations with CTOs, CIOs, CPOs, CPTOs and tech innovators from across Aotearoa. Join us as we uncover the experiences, challenges, and successes that shape our tech community. This is where New Zealand's technology and product journeys unfold.
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Tech Waka Podcast
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Tech Waka Podcast have?
Tech Waka Podcast currently has 47 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Tech Waka Podcast about?
Tech Waka Podcast: Journeys of New Zealand Tech and Product Leaders.Here we dive into the stories of New Zealand's top tech and product leaders. Your host, Jakub Jurkiewicz, brings you conversations with CTOs, CIOs, CPOs, CPTOs and tech innovators from across Aotearoa. Join us as we uncover the...
How often does Tech Waka Podcast release new episodes?
Tech Waka Podcast has 47 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Tech Waka Podcast?
You can listen to Tech Waka Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Tech Waka Podcast?
Tech Waka Podcast is created and hosted by Tech Waka Podcast.
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