Spark stories
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2024/07/11/preview_techday_aa09463ff61b4a0732b3.webp)
Spark expands partnership with Netskope for managed SSE services
This month
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saas
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data protection
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paas
Spark and Netskope have expanded their partnership to offer managed Security Service Edge services in New Zealand, bolstering cybersecurity for remote workers and cloud services.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2024/07/08/preview_techday_453b9723006ed83b1185.webp)
Revealed: Presbyterian Support Central partners with Spark
This month
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productivity
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support
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nz
Presbyterian Support Central has partnered with Spark to revamp its tech, aiming to improve productivity for over 1,000 employees amid budget constraints.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2024/07/05/preview_IMG_4147_2.webp)
Anchora launches in New Zealand, appoints Romit Sinha as director
This month
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fintechs
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martech
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financial systems
Anchora has launched in New Zealand, appointing former Proximity CTO Romit Sinha as Regional Director. Sinha aims to boost business growth through advanced martech solutions.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2024/07/03/preview_techday_1568d8b533676a8709b2.webp)
Spark announces major gaming festival in Auckland's Spark Arena
This month
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gaming
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digital entertainment
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spark
Spark announces Spark Game Arena Live, a gaming festival in Tāmaki Makaurau's Spark Arena on 7 September 2024. The festival will feature top esports, interactive experiences, and global gaming personalities.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2024/06/27/preview_high-res-overview.webp)
Spark to build data centre & surf park on Auckland's North Shore
Last month
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power / energy
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ai
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cleantech
Spark secures resource consent for a new 40MW data centre in Auckland’s North Shore, using innovative heat exchange and solar power to enhance sustainability.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2024/06/20/preview_Hugo_Parcell__L__and_Tom_Harding__R_.webp)
Gallagher Security appoints new digital & brand leaders
Last month
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digital entertainment
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nz
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customers
Gallagher Security appoints Tom Harding as Head of Digital and Hugo Parcell as Head of Brand and Creative, aiming to drive innovation and growth in marketing.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2024/06/12/preview_techday_fdc9d454a7af28fa80fc.webp)
Rural Connectivity Group completes 500th cell site in NZ
Last month
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connectivity
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digital divide
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nz
The Rural Connectivity Group celebrates a milestone with its 500th rural cell site, boosting wireless access for 33,000 homes in remote Aotearoa.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2024/06/05/preview_Amanda_Springintveld.webp)
Enhancing customer experience with conversational AI
Last month
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cx
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martech
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hcm
Spark integrates advanced conversational AI to enhance customer experiences, focusing on empathetic interactions and leveraging existing technologies for efficiency.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2024/05/24/preview_img-rbFsLjykEHQDGJk8ui3VAFw2.webp)
One New Zealand secures Best in Test mobile network title again
Fri, 24th May 2024
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spacetech
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5g & beyond
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wireless networks
One New Zealand has clinched the Best in Test mobile network award for 2024, marking its third consecutive win, highlighting top performance in voice, data, and reliability categories.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2024/05/22/preview_Emma-Kate_Greer.webp)
2degrees appoints Emma-Kate Greer as new Chief Customer Officer
Wed, 22nd May 2024
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cx
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martech
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leadership
2degrees appoints Emma-Kate Greer as new Chief Customer Officer, aiming to enhance customer experience across its vast network of services and stores.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2024/05/01/preview_img-UhXGIb0wvQDn3U8tLE6qtYK1.webp)
Spark reveals actual 4G & 5G speeds using Cisco ThousandEyes
Wed, 1st May 2024
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5g & beyond
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wireless networks
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telco
Telecoms firm Spark discloses true 4G and 5G speeds by leveraging Cisco ThousandEyes tech for precise measurements.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2024/04/09/preview_img-JWJQEK43esymABJXnL6gOqYm.webp)
Spark invests $15m in Waikato's digital infrastructure in NZ
Tue, 9th Apr 2024
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nz
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wellington
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cloud services
Spark plans to invest over $15m into improving digital infrastructure in New Zealand's Waikato region, in conjunction with the University of Waikato.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2024/03/27/preview_img-yAHFaPq8bEE5KlZdcDwXKjzb.webp)
CCL unveils Copilot readiness workshop for Microsoft 365
Wed, 27th Mar 2024
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risk & compliance
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data privacy
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ai
CCL has launched a readiness workshop for Copilot, a Microsoft 365 service. Expected to empower private enterprises and public organisations with AI capabilities, it aims to boost productivity, creativity, and connectivity securely.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2024/03/26/preview_img-PHXLaS80zwvVMTmJeyVxXP9Q.webp)
Qrious celebrates decade of innovation & AI advancement in New Zealand
Tue, 26th Mar 2024
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ai
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zespri
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qrious
Qrious, Spark Business Group's tech sub-division, celebrates a decade of leveraging AI and data to transform major industries across New Zealand with innovative solutions.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2024/03/21/preview_img-DRqi88hr9FpA4tUCtJ83BURn.webp)
Spark unveils online protections against cyber hazards & scams
Fri, 22nd Mar 2024
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malware
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phishing
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email security
Spark is set to boost customer online safety with new features, including an automated text scam firewall and filters to block malware, phishing, and child sexual abuse materials.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2024/03/11/preview_img-AGS2RZrTo5YxzwVdYZLXz0gU.webp)
Spark NZ warns of firms' unreadiness for AI-based future
Mon, 11th Mar 2024
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migration
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hybrid cloud
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data analytics
New Zealand's largest telco, Spark, warns companies to prepare for an AI-driven future amid an observed lack of supportive cloud infrastructure and waning AI maturity.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2024/03/05/preview_img-KcSPRA8mnNswaLUOdrLX8407.webp)
Spark launches Aotearoa's first AI for Business Mini MBA
Wed, 6th Mar 2024
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ai
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nzier
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productivity
New Zealand firms offered chance to join first national AI for Business Mini MBA programme, promising to enhance competitiveness via AI applications.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2024/02/23/preview_img-5jTEyjiDyArf3B57vxHupESB.webp)
Spark & NZIER to boost NZ's productivity with technology
Fri, 23rd Feb 2024
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nz
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productivity
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cloud services
Spark, in partnership with the NZIER, aims to steer Aotearoa New Zealand a technology generation ahead, addressing the country's productivity challenges.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2024/02/19/preview_img-CFmyWaqbZ0FHgflpidiM5GIQ.webp)
The departure of Sparks cybersecurity leader Josh Bahlman
Mon, 19th Feb 2024
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advanced persistent threat protection
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cybersecurity
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customer service
Josh Bahlman, esteemed leader of Spark New Zealand's Cyber Defence and Technology Architecture teams, has resigned after a significant ten-year tenure.
![Story image](../../../../../uploads/story/2024/02/14/preview_img-FG0XKFQOV71aWy7VoLdBkC9c.webp)
Hourua partners with TCCA improving NZ emergency communications
Wed, 14th Feb 2024
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nz
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police
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spark
NZ's Hourua, a joint venture by Spark and One NZ, partners with global group TCCA to enhance emergency services' communications through robust multi-network cellular solutions.