What opportunities do you see in 2026?
We want to make it even easier for you to stay connected, whether that’s on your mobile, at home or for your business. Our goal is simple, to give you a stronger network and a smoother experience, to make it better with Spark.
How are you using AI to change your business?
We’re using AI and automation across Spark to make things faster and easier for both customers and our people – from tools that help our teams find answers quickly, to AI that helps us proactively detect and resolve network issues.
We now have AI assistants supporting everything from customer care to sales and content creation, laying the groundwork for a more efficient, responsive and AI-enabled Spark.
What will the key election issue be in 2026 and why?
I expect cost of living will be a central issue in the 2026 election, as many households and businesses continue to look for practical solutions to ease financial pressures and support ongoing recovery.
There will likely be strong interest in policies that help create stability and sustainable growth after a challenging period.
How do you think the New Zealand economy will perform in 2026?
I expect a gradual economic recovery in 2026, supported by increasing consumer confidence, greater investment in infrastructure and ongoing digital transformation to drive productivity gains.
However, I recognise that this recovery is likely to be uneven across sectors, which highlights the continued importance of resilience and adaptability for businesses.
What’s the worst mistake you have made in business and what did you learn from it?
Not moving fast enough when things shifted in the economy.
If I had my time again, I’d act sooner – especially given how unprecedented those times were.
It taught me the value of adapting quickly and staying open to new ideas and ways of working.
What would you rate as your greatest success?
I’m proud to have helped guide Spark through a significant period of change, implementing a new strategy that followed important partnership deals and some tough but necessary decisions for our team.
Supporting the business and our people through these transitions, while keeping future growth in mind, has been challenging but also important work.
Where and how are you holidaying this summer?
Enjoying the sun and surf in Whangamatā with family and great friends.
What would you recommend as a good book to read over summer?
If you want to understand the case for how using AI inclusively and adaptively has the potential to improve our lives and create positive change, then you can’t go past this book – Superagency: What Could Possibly Go Right with Our AI Future by Reid Hoffman and Greg Beato.
Or if a crime thriller is more your bag, I’ll be reading Silent Bones by Val McDermid over the break.
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