NEWSROOM
CIE Director Darsel Keane appointed to Auckland Tech Council
The Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, has long been a catalyst for fostering innovative thinking and entrepreneurial talent. Now, its leadership is continuing to extend its impact beyond campus, with CIE Director Darsel Keane appointed to the Auckland Business Chamber’s Tech Council. Darsel will represent the University among an influential group of leaders working to establish Auckland as a globally recognised tech hub.
The Auckland Tech Council was established to accelerate Auckland’s transformation into a world-leading centre for technology and innovation. Its goal is clear: to harness the potential of Tāmaki Makaurau’s diverse talent pool, digital infrastructure, and thriving business ecosystem to position the city as a global technology powerhouse. The Council has identified three high-growth sectors where Auckland has a competitive edge: CreativeTech, FinTech, and HealthTech.
Darsel’s appointment reflects the University’s deep commitment to advancing innovation that creates economic, social, and environmental prosperity for Aotearoa New Zealand and the world.
“Innovation ecosystems around the world are often anchored by their universities,” says Darsel Keane. “The University of Auckland plays a vital role in developing the talent and ideas that fuel the future of New Zealand’s innovation economy. I’m looking forward to collaborating with others on the Council to help shape Auckland’s trajectory as a globally connected tech hub.”
For over two decades, CIE has supported staff and students to develop innovative mindsets and capabilities. The centre offers transformative experiences such as the Velocity entrepreneurship programme, start-up competitions, technology training sessions in its makerspaces and a venture incubator. In 2024 alone, CIE empowered over 7,000 participants. Collectively, CIE alumni have launched hundreds of start-ups, raised over $4 billion in capital, and created thousands of jobs.
This collaborative spirit extends beyond CIE. The University’s broader innovation ecosystem includes UniServices, the Newmarket Innovation Precinct, the New Zealand Product Accelerator, MedTech-iQ Tāmaki Makaurau, and Cloud 9. Recent changes to teaching and learning, for example the appointment of an Associate Dean Technology at the Business School, with technology training implemented as a core part of all Bachelor of Commerce teaching, is further evidence of the University’s commitment to increasing tech talent and innovation. Together, these initiatives demonstrate the University’s commitment to nurturing high-impact education, research, commercialisation and entrepreneurship.
The Auckland Tech Council’s vision aligns closely with the University’s own Taumata Teitei strategic plan, which positions the University as a global powerhouse of innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship. The University’s Digital Strategy 2025, Te Rautaki Matihiko, also reinforces this ambition by embracing the digital transformation of learning, research, and partnerships to deliver mana-enhancing experiences for students, staff, and communities.
Through the Tech Council, Auckland aims to lead in sectors where it already excels. CreativeTech leverages Auckland’s established creative industries, focusing on digital content, gaming, and AI-driven design. FinTech builds on the city’s role as a regional financial hub, embracing new opportunities in digital banking and payment technologies. HealthTech capitalises on Auckland’s world-class healthcare research and health technology companies, including collaborations fostered by the University’s medical school and the Auckland Bioengineering Institute.
Simon Bridges, CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber, says “In our first report, we detailed a series of calls to Government to support Auckland to become a global technology hub and innovation powerhouse, enabled by world-class digital infrastructure and a tech talent pipeline. Since then, we have engaged with business leaders, city and government leaders and the University of Auckland to identify several transformational initiatives that could dramatically shift not just Auckland’s but New Zealand’s productivity and economic growth trajectory.”
Darsel’s appointment to the Tech Council marks another milestone in the University’s leadership in building innovative careers and start-up pathways. It’s also a chance to collaborate more closely with industry partners, government, and community organisations to shape a future-ready Auckland.
As Darsel puts it, “Our purpose at CIE is to create a world of opportunity for our participants. By taking part in the Auckland Tech Council, we’re also helping to create opportunities for our city and for Aotearoa to lead on the global stage.”
Auckland Tech Council tour Newmarket Innovation Precinct
Auckland Tech Council tour Newmarket Innovation Precinct
The Business School’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, has long been a catalyst for fostering innovative thinking and entrepreneurial talent. Now, its leadership is continuing to extend its impact beyond campus, with CIE Director Darsel Keane appointed to the Auckland Business Chamber’s Tech Council. Darsel will represent the University among an influential group of leaders working to establish Auckland as a globally recognised tech hub.
The Auckland Tech Council was established to accelerate Auckland’s transformation into a world-leading centre for technology and innovation. Its goal is clear: to harness the potential of Tāmaki Makaurau’s diverse talent pool, digital infrastructure, and thriving business ecosystem to position the city as a global technology powerhouse. The Council has identified three high-growth sectors where Auckland has a competitive edge: CreativeTech, FinTech, and HealthTech.
Darsel’s appointment reflects the University’s deep commitment to advancing innovation that creates economic, social, and environmental prosperity for Aotearoa New Zealand and the world.
“Innovation ecosystems around the world are often anchored by their universities,” says Darsel Keane. “The University of Auckland plays a vital role in developing the talent and ideas that fuel the future of New Zealand’s innovation economy. I’m looking forward to collaborating with others on the Council to help shape Auckland’s trajectory as a globally connected tech hub.”
For over two decades, CIE has supported staff and students to develop innovative mindsets and capabilities. The centre offers transformative experiences such as the Velocity entrepreneurship programme, start-up competitions, technology training sessions in its makerspaces and a venture incubator. In 2024 alone, CIE empowered over 7,000 participants. Collectively, CIE alumni have launched hundreds of start-ups, raised over $4 billion in capital, and created thousands of jobs.
This collaborative spirit extends beyond CIE. The University’s broader innovation ecosystem includes UniServices, the Newmarket Innovation Precinct, the New Zealand Product Accelerator, MedTech-iQ Tāmaki Makaurau, and Cloud 9. Recent changes to teaching and learning, for example the appointment of an Associate Dean Technology at the Business School, with technology training implemented as a core part of all Bachelor of Commerce teaching, is further evidence of the University’s commitment to increasing tech talent and innovation. Together, these initiatives demonstrate the University’s commitment to nurturing high-impact education, research, commercialisation and entrepreneurship.
The Auckland Tech Council’s vision aligns closely with the University’s own Taumata Teitei strategic plan, which positions the University as a global powerhouse of innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship. The University’s Digital Strategy 2025, Te Rautaki Matihiko, also reinforces this ambition by embracing the digital transformation of learning, research, and partnerships to deliver mana-enhancing experiences for students, staff, and communities.
Through the Tech Council, Auckland aims to lead in sectors where it already excels. CreativeTech leverages Auckland’s established creative industries, focusing on digital content, gaming, and AI-driven design. FinTech builds on the city’s role as a regional financial hub, embracing new opportunities in digital banking and payment technologies. HealthTech capitalises on Auckland’s world-class healthcare research and health technology companies, including collaborations fostered by the University’s medical school and the Auckland Bioengineering Institute.
Simon Bridges, CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber, says “In our first report, we detailed a series of calls to Government to support Auckland to become a global technology hub and innovation powerhouse, enabled by world-class digital infrastructure and a tech talent pipeline. Since then, we have engaged with business leaders, city and government leaders and the University of Auckland to identify several transformational initiatives that could dramatically shift not just Auckland’s but New Zealand’s productivity and economic growth trajectory.”
Darsel’s appointment to the Tech Council marks another milestone in the University’s leadership in building innovative careers and start-up pathways. It’s also a chance to collaborate more closely with industry partners, government, and community organisations to shape a future-ready Auckland.
As Darsel puts it, “Our purpose at CIE is to create a world of opportunity for our participants. By taking part in the Auckland Tech Council, we’re also helping to create opportunities for our city and for Aotearoa to lead on the global stage.”
EMAIL
CIE@AUCKLAND.AC.NZ
POSTAL ADDRESS
THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND BUSINESS SCHOOL
PRIVATE BAG 92019, AUCKLAND
