This keynote will explore how purposeful leadership, empowered teams, and thoughtful technology adoption are reshaping how councils deliver for their communities. Drawing on the speaker's experience spanning both People and Technology portfolios, the session will highlight practical approaches to building a modern, engaged, and digitally confident organisation.

Key points of focus:

• Creating a culture that embraces change, continuous improvement, and digital confidence
• Enabling the workforce through modern tools, clear priorities, and strong leadership alignment
• Strengthening organisational capability to meet rising expectations in an increasingly tech-driven environment

Practical use cases for improving efficiency, streamlining processes, and enhancing customer experiences

A practical discussion on how councils are using AI, data and digital platforms to improve performance, manage risk and deliver services sustainably under growing financial and workforce pressure.

Key discussion points:

• Using AI and digital tools to improve efficiency, manage cost pressures and maintain service levels.
• Managing risk, compliance and cybersecurity while adopting new technologies at pace.
• Building workforce capability and confidence to support sustainable, long-term transformation.
• How AI can challenge traditional service delivery models and unlock productivity and commercial value.

Deborah Acott

Head of Business Improvement and Enterprise Change, Auckland Council Group

David Ward

General Manager 3 Waters, Property and Urban Development, Dunedin City Council

Sarah Cawsey

General Manager of Data Services, Auckland Council Group

Building scalable, secure systems to support long-term growth and resilience.

• Implementing AI tools and modern digital platforms, alongside cloud migration and cybersecurity upgrades.
• Upskilling staff, embedding agile practices, and fostering a digital-first culture to support innovation.
• Driving transformation initiatives that are reshaping council operations for more efficient, responsive, and forward-thinking service delivery.

A discussion with executive leaders on the realities of leading through financial pressure, rising expectations and reform, and how councils can collaborate to maintain performance, trust and community impact.

• Managing budget constraints, cost shifting, and resource pressures
• Balancing rising community expectations with operational realities
• Shared services models that work – practical structures for shared billing, asset management, digital platforms and compliance reporting across councils.

Matt Prosser

Chief Executive Officer, Wellington City Council

Hayley Worthington

General Manager Strategic Improvement, Kaipara District Council

Clive Manley

Chief Executive Officer, Ruapehu District Council