US Business Summit 2024: Summit close
Summit Close
MC: Tim McCready
—
US Business Summit 2024
22 November 2024 at Cordis, Auckland. Brought to you by NZ INC. and Auckland Business Chamber.
Summit Close
MC: Tim McCready
—
US Business Summit 2024
22 November 2024 at Cordis, Auckland. Brought to you by NZ INC. and Auckland Business Chamber.
Summit event director Katy Riddell, Air New Zealand’s Reuben Levermore and MC Tim McCready conduct the prize draw.
—
US Business Summit 2024
22 November 2024 at Cordis, Auckland. Brought to you by NZ INC. and Auckland Business Chamber.
Co-founder of Shasta Ventures and a 24-year veteran of venture capital, Rob Coneybeer discussed how New Zealand can position itself to attract foreign direct investment. Rob shone a light on New Zealand’s appeal as an investment destination, sharing insights into how the country could attract much needed foreign direct investment and thrive in the global market.
He was joined by Hon Barbara Edmonds, a former tax lawyer and Labour’s Finance Spokesperson, who spoke about how New Zealand can take advantage of US investment, bringing a fresh perspective on Labour’s approach to fostering stronger economic ties and capitalising on opportunities.
Moderator: Tim McCready Summit MC
—
US Business Summit 2024
22 November 2024 at Cordis, Auckland. Brought to you by NZ INC. and Auckland Business Chamber.
Two visionary New Zealand leaders shared how advanced technologies in green metal extraction and aerospace innovation were addressing global challenges, from climate change to resource scarcity, while also creating vast opportunities in international markets.
Will Barker, CEO of Mint, highlighted how urban waste can be transformed into valuable green metals, reducing reliance on traditional mining and enabling a low-carbon, circular economy.
Professor Delwyn Moller presented cutting-edge innovations in aerospace technology, showcasing how Earth observation systems and advanced remote sensing are being used to address global challenges.
Moderator: Tim McCready – Summit MC
—
US Business Summit 2024
22 November 2024 at Cordis, Auckland. Brought to you by NZ INC. and Auckland Business Chamber.
CALL TO ORDER
MC: Tim McCready
—
US Business Summit 2024
22 November 2024 at Cordis, Auckland. Brought to you by NZ INC. and Auckland Business Chamber.
Tim McCready moderates a panel discussion themed “Accelerating Auckland” with CEO of the EMA Brett O’Riley, Deputy Mayor of Auckland Desley Simpson, and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Auckland Dawn Freshwater. The panel discussion was held at the launch of the NZ Herald’s 2024 Project Auckland report following a speech from the Minister for Auckland Hon Simeon Brown.
Greg Fleming, our newly elected MP for the Maungakiekie electorate, discusses his transition into Parliament along with the challenges and surprises he has encountered.
Tim dug a little deeper into Greg’s parliamentary maiden speech which incorporated significant use of Te Reo Māori and a good dose of humour.
Finally, Greg provides a glimpse into his busy schedule, balancing time in Wellington and his new electorate office at 222 Onehunga Mall, just opposite Curry Leaf.
Cybersecurity concerns aired in a Taumata Rau Conversation add to the discussion New Zealand needs on national security issues.
Two years ago, the Royal Commission of Inquiry into a terrorist attack in Christchurch challenged the government to build a conversation with New Zealanders about national security challenges.
An expert discussion on cybersecurity at the University on 24 October was a contribution to that goal. “We need the sorts of conversations that we’re having now,” Tony Lynch, a top national security official, told the audience.
Fellow panellists in the Taumata Rau Conversation, hosted by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater, were:
The background included cyber-attacks which have targeted nationally significant organisations including Parliament and universities. A ransomware assault crippled the Waikato District Health Board in 2021 and last month electronic ticketing for Auckland public transport was similarly taken out of action.
Lynch, the head of the National Security Group in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, walked the audience through the nation’s first national security strategy Secure Together – Tō Tātou Korowai Manaaki, issued in August by the Ministry of Defence.
Malicious state and non-state actors are a persistent cyber threat to all New Zealanders,
How far do we lock down New Zealand and stop that free flow of information? You can go too far and then you end up with the Great New Zealand Firewall.
Amber McEwenHead of Research Education Advanced Network New Zealand
Individuals and private organisations are key in fending off the assaults since the bulk of cybersecurity capability and effort lies outside of the government.
Asked about his biggest concerns, Lynch highlighted the increasing interconnectedness of critical infrastructure, as powerfully demonstrated in Hawke’s Bay during Cyclone Gabrielle when electricity and communications failed after the flooding of a power station, impeding emergency responders and cutting services such as EFTPOS and ATMs.
Critical infrastructure needs more of a “system” approach, sharing information across sectors, he said. Likewise, Fong was focused on vulnerabilities from the intertwining of physical and digital infrastructure and reliance on the global digital supply chain.
In Russello’s view, New Zealand is “not where we should be” on cybersecurity for reasons including a lack of investment, a shortage of cybersecurity specialists, including in academia, and businesses treating digital security as a late-stage add-on.
Burnout of cybersecurity workers was a topic and moderator Tim McCready prompted a discussion about the potential for minimum standards and mandatory reporting.
Issues with critical infrastructure seemed to support a regulatory move in that direction, away from New Zealand’s traditional principles-based approach, according to Lynch. However, Fong cautioned there were no “silver bullets.”
The audience learned from McEwen of issues facing a digital network linking our scientists to the world.
The Research Education Advanced Network New Zealand, which she heads, is a Crown-owned company operating a network which lets researchers collaborate on data-intensive projects and is used by entities including universities and Crown Research Institutes.
In instances such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine or the Taliban’s grab for power in Afghanistan, should the global community of research and education networks cut off those nations’ scientists and researchers?
“That’s been the big debate for us,” said McEwen. “We’ve come to the point where we keep collaboration going but we pull off research programmes where necessary.”
Risks from interconnected infrastructure were demonstrated in Hawke’s Bay during Cyclone Gabrielle when electricity and communications failed along with services such as EFTPOS and ATMs.
In Europe, Russian scientists were cut off from the Large Hadron Collider, the world’s most powerful particle accelerator, because research could be weaponised, she said.
Another conversation in McEwen’s world is the balance between security and information flow.
“How far do we lock down New Zealand and stop that free flow of information?” asked McEwen. “You can go too far and then you end up with the Great New Zealand Firewall.”
Taumata Rau Conversations will continue into 2024. The series aims to spark meaningful discussions from multiple perspectives on the major issues confronting Aotearoa New Zealand.
The cybersecurity event was the second in the series, following a discussion of the future of the health workforce.