ERNIE NEWMAN’S BACKGROUND:

CURRENT:

• Digital Econony Consultant based in Orewa, 30km north of Auckland, New Zealand. Specialises in telecommunications policy, E-health, E-government, privacy,  and E-learning.

PREVIOUS:

• Chief Executive, Telecommunications Users Association of New Zealand Inc (TUANZ) 1999-2010
• Marketing Manager, Packaging House Ltd/Carter Holt Harvey Distributors 1994-1999
• General Manager, “Buy New Zealand Made” Campaign Ltd 1989-2004
• Manager, Trade Groups, New Zealand Manufacturers Federation Inc (now Business NZ) 1987-1989
• Director, Otago Southland Manufacturers Association 1985-1987
• Director, Wellington Regional Manufacturers Association 1987-1989 (concurrent with other roles)
• Executive Director, NZ Grocery Manufacturers Association 1981-1985
• Chief Executive, Otago Chamber of Commerce 1986-1987 (concurrent with other roles)
• Executive Officer, NZ Vegetable Growers Federation 1977-1981
• Senior Training Officer, Ministry of Works and Development
• Senior Travel Officer, NZ Government Tourist and Publicity Department

SKILLS AND FOCUS AREAS:

I am a digital consultancy consultant specialising in telecommunications policy, E-health, E-learning and E-government. I have a passion for finding and implementing ways for a small economy like New Zealand to improve our society with the use of modern communications channels.

As a consultant since 2010, my clients include an eclectic mix of government agencies, not-for-profits and private sector interests.

A special passion is for the use of health informatics to improve health outcomes and drive efficiency into the delivery of health services. To that end I am working with a mix of government, District Health Board and industry organisation interests to accelerate uptake of advanced communication technologies across the health sector.

I regard my core strengths as simplifying complex issues, driving change, and bringing disparate groups together to agree on common outcomes.

CURRENT AND PREVIOUS EXTERNAL ROLES – EXAMPLES:

• Executive member, HINZ (Health Informatics New Zealand) – 2012-current
• Leadership Group Member, NZ Telehealth Forum – 2011-current
• Expert Advisory Group Member, Health Quality and Safety Commission Indicators Project, 2011-current
• Chair and Manager of Consumer Panel for NZ National Health IT Board, 2010-12
• Author, E-health and E-learning chapters,Commerce Commission Broadband Demand-Side Study 2011/12
• Chairman for 3 years, Board member for 11 years of International Telecommunications Users Group
• Head of INTUG Delegation for 10 years of APEC Telecommunications and IT Working Group
• Board member for 5 years, Telecommunications Carriers Forum, NZ
• Board member, Telecommunications Disputes Resolution Service, 2007-2011
• NZ Digital Development Council (Council member)
• New Zealand Chambers of Commerce (Board Member)