Here's a quick update from ITP this week, from CEO Paul Matthews.
Feel like you've had a bad week? Probably not as bad as former Minister Clare Curran, who announced she was stepping down from all Ministerial portfolios today.
Clare Curran bows out
After a fairly tumultuous time over the last few weeks, the news that Hon Clare Curran has now stepped down from the rest of her ministerial portfolios has been confirmed this morning.
While she may be back at some point in the future, and all politics aside, it's a sad end for someone who really did make a significant effort to engage with the sector over many years in opposition. She attended most ITP conferences and others in the sector (such as NetHui), and genuinely engaged with attendees rather than just paying lip service like some do. She generally came for days rather than just her presentation, especially in the earlier years.
But the demands of Government are significant. Whatever you might think of politicians, most work extremely long hours and under significant ongoing pressure. Ministers cop the worst of it and it takes a special person - or in fact a special team - to get their head above water in the environment they work in, let alone actually make a difference. Irrespective of how it all turned out, Clare really did put everything into it.
Those who have at times worked massive hours on little sleep will understand how the bumbled Question Time answers in parliament this week will have come about and will have some sympathy for what she is going through.
I suspect there's more to come on the overall story. SSC have been reviewing the CTO appointment process and as outlined here, it really was pretty poorly managed. In fact the first round was even worse (for everyone concerned). The CTO role is probably a dead duck now.
One question now is what happens with the "ICT Minister" role, per se. In actuality we haven't had an "ICT Minister" since Hon Steven Joyce tucked ICT into the economic development portfolio (leaving lots of uncertainty between the Comms Minister and Economic Development Minister over who did what) and the amalgamation of Comms, Govt Digital Services and Digital Media meant that in Curran we effectively had a single ICT Minister again.
However it's now been announced that Hon Dr Megan Woods has taken on Digital Services, alongside her existing Research, Science and Innovation portfolio and Hon Kris Faafoi has taken on Communications and Digital Media (along with Broadcasting). There is not yet clarity over who will look after what in practice, and whether there will be good coordination across the broader portfolio areas, but at least our sector has two competent ministers in Woods and Faafoi.
Interesting times in Wellington! But for now we say farewell to Hon Clare Curran from the portfolio. On behalf of ITP, we will be passing on our thanks for the huge effort she put in over many years in both opposition and government and wishing her well for the future.
Thought about CITPNZ or CTech?
Have you thought about getting your Chartered IT Professionals NZ or Certified Technologist certification? Now really is the right time - we're in the planning stages for a major promotion of professional certifications over the next couple of months and those certified will definitely benefit.
CITPNZ is for senior IT Professionals and CTech is for those working their way up in their career; and both are for those serious about both professional practice and professional development. They also show that you can get results - they're based on "doing", not just knowing concepts.
Find out more at itp.nz/certification
Some interesting stats from #itx2018
The People have spoken, and by people, we mean those who attended ITx 2018! Our conference attendee statistics are in - with an astounding 97% satisfaction rate.
It's fantastic to see these statistics come out of the conference as it means (a) we are doing our jobs right, and (b) our industry is filled with people still eager to learn, teach, network and celebrate the many successes of our peers. But most importantly, it means our community is strong.
And it was great to witness the high energy and engagement levels throughout the conference (that may have to do with the 2,249 Coffees that were consumed) which really makes a conference like this work - and we know many of the discussions have continued after.
One of the best statistics to come out of the conference was the gender balance. 39% of attendees were women, up from around 29% at ITx 2016. This is a welcome statistic in our sector. It was also great to have topics about mental wellbeing and gender equity in the workplace being presented by both male and female leaders in the industry throughout our many keynotes.
Effective CIO course full
Our How to be an Effectice CIO course is now full, however it's likely we'll be running it again in early 2019. Don't hesitate to contact us if you're interested in this and would like to be notified when we next run it.
by Paul Brislen, Editor
Privacy is usually treated as a fundamental human right, but in New Zealand at least it's not part of the Bill of Rights.
There isn't a single mention of the word "privacy" in the bill.
Yet most people will tell you they have a right not to have neighbours take photos of them in their home, that they should be free from surveillance and should be allowed to get on with their lives without having to worry about being spied upon.
But can you rely on that anymore?
Continue Reading »
Five Eyes comes knocking...
