Sonny Taite

Sonny Taite, Ngāi Te Rangi

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With over two decades of cybersecurity and technology leadership, I have consistently driven transformative initiatives across some of New Zealand’s most complex organisations. As the National Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand, I lead efforts to safeguard critical healthcare infrastructure, ensuring cyber resilience and robust risk management in an ever-evolving threat landscape.

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As a CISO, my leadership approach is deeply rooted in a commitment to equity and diversity. I’m particularly proud of co-designing a Cyber Academy that integrates digital apprentices from Māori and Pacific backgrounds into our cybersecurity teams. This initiative not only addresses the industry’s talent gap but also drives inclusivity and sparks innovation across the sector.

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Before joining Health NZ, I led regional teams across New Zealand at Datacom, where I was responsible for driving digital transformation, enhancing cybersecurity operations, and ensuring strategic alignment across various business units. This experience in navigating organisational change has honed my ability to lead through complex transformations with precision and insight.