Conferenz and IDC have announced this year's finalists in the CIO Awards which recognise individuals and teams who have shown leadership, innovation and foresight in their contribution to ICT and business.

Winners in the Awards, which are supported by ClearPoint, SAP, TechnologyOne, The University of Auckland Business School and EMC will be celebrated at the CIO Summit’s gala dinner on 9th June.

The 2015 finalists, in four categories, are:

‘CIO of the Year’, for demonstrating innovation and success in the past 12 months that reinforces the transformational role of the CIO in supporting their company's overall business strategy.

• Roger Jones, Auckland Transport
• Aaron Mikoz, Maritime New Zealand
• Peter Muggleston, Foodstuffs North Island Limited
• Glen Willoughby, Capital and Coast District Health Board
• Tracy Voice, Ministry for Primary Industries

‘Emerging ICT Leader’ recognises and encourages exceptional ICT talent by professionals under 35 years of age.

• Christopher Duncan, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
• Robert Muller, DB Breweries

‘Executive Team of the Year’ honours exceptional teamwork in deploying business technology that has produced a range of strategic benefits.

• Downer
• Foodstuffs South Island
• Frucor
• Vend

‘Engaging Youth in ICT’ showcases outstanding initiatives by private enterprise, public sector or academic institutions that encourage young people to learn about and pursue careers in information technology.

• Accelerating Aotearoa
• Gather Workshops
• Intergen
• OMGTech/ The Pam Fergusson Charitable Trust

The recipient of ‘Outstanding Contribution to ICT in New Zealand’, will also be named at the Awards dinner.

Professor Michael D. Myers, Department of Information Systems and Operations Management, University of Auckland Business School, is a judge. He says, “CIOs play an increasingly influential role in guiding public and private sector organisations through the challenges and opportunities presented by technology. Judges believe that the increased number and calibre of this year’s finalists and support for the Awards from their employers shows the vitality of New Zealand’s professional ICT community.”