Meet our speaker

John was appointed to the Airways Board in January 2019. He is an experienced company director and entrepreneur with governance and executive experience across a wide range of company stages and industries.
He is Chair of Airways People and Culture sub committee and a member of Airways Safety committee.
His purpose statement is to “actively engage the world, learn, grow and share with others.”
John founded Technology and Innovations New Zealand (TAINZ) at age 17 to pursue his passion for evolving innovative ideas that solve meaningful problems into successful, scalable companies.
He is the co-founder of New Zealand technology start-ups Sonar6 (sold to United States company Cornerstone in 2012) and Homes.co.nz, (sold to New Zealand corporate Trade Me in 2021).
He is currently a director of Orbica Ltd, Technology and Innovations Ltd (TAINZ) and Executive Director of Tāwhaki – National Aerospace Centre.
Since 2020, John has focused on applying his experience, connections, curiosity and applied skills specifically to the areas of strategy, sales, and cultural and digital transformation, to enhance the readiness of organisations for the future.
John has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Military History and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration. He has had a lifelong interest in aviation and is a flying member of the Wellington and Canterbury Aero Clubs.