One year ago, in our first '2 minutes with...' conversation on LinkedIn, Katie Macdiarmid CIO (NZME) told us the best advice she'd ever been given, which was "Don't be a hero in the first half, don't be scared in the second half." Fitting, it turns out, because today we're excited to announce that Katie has been appointed Chair of the IAB New Zealand Board of Directors. Katie has served on our Board for the past year and succeeds Rob Hutchinson (TVNZ), who steps down after two years of dedicated leadership.
In June 2025, we sat down with Katie Macdiarmid, Chief Information Officer at NZME, for her first "2 Minutes With" feature as a new IAB New Zealand Board member. A year on, a lot has changed: Katie has just been appointed Chair of the IAB New Zealand Board of Directors, succeeding Rob Hutchinson, Chief Digital Officer at TVNZ, who steps down after a two-year term. Her appointment takes effect immediately.
Katie brings more than 25 years of technology and leadership experience across media and telecommunications in the United Kingdom and New Zealand. At NZME, she leads the company's digital growth through audience engagement and reader monetisation, oversees its end-to-end technology ecosystem, and drives the adoption of AI across the business and its platforms.
One year on, we hear Katie's current perspective in a new, updated '2 minutes with...'
What is your ambition for the New Zealand digital advertising industry?
To play a pivotal role in the economic growth of New Zealand, and to collaborate with Publishers and content creators on the next wave of innovative ways to connect with audiences. Let's punch above our weight.
What moment, or project in your career are you most proud of?
This always feels like a collection of interconnected moments, working with such talented people along the way. The recent launch of the new New Zealand Herald App was pivotal, as it created an exceptional customer experience but it reflected so much more from 'behind the build' and we know the platform now provides for new opportunities. But, if I go back a few years (ahem) then I'd say I'm most proud of jumping into the ISP and technology industry, to just see where it might take me.
What's your go-to source of insight in the digital advertising world?
The IAB NZ newsletters of course, and talking with the commercial and adtech teams in our business. Aside from this, I generally listen to tech/AI podcasts and my favourite for some time has been the 'AI Daily Brief'.
If you could invite three people, dead or alive, to a private dinner party, who would they be?
David Attenborough, Marie Curie and Suzy Izzard. I'm not sure I could keep up though!
What's the one thing people are generally surprised to find out about you?
I've run several ultra marathons, the longest is 100km. It's been a while between drinks on this one, but it's still a goodie and the parallels with work and life are endless.
What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
Be the best version of yourself.
