WatchGuard names top ANZ partners for 2024 awards recognition
Annual awards
The awards, in their 11th year, aim to recognise the strength of WatchGuard's partner ecosystem in the SMB, mid-market, and Pacific Island sectors. Over 150 certified partners were considered before four winners were selected by WatchGuard's Asia Pacific and Japan leadership, based on criteria such as revenue contribution, technical proficiency, marketing involvement, and competitive success.
The Partner of the Year award was granted to Sydney-based Systemnet. Systemnet achieved the distinction after delivering nearly 50% of its annual revenue during the second half of the year, reflecting increased adoption of WatchGuard's full security stack and broad integration across its cyber portfolio.
Other award recipients include Manux Solutions, which received the Next Level Excellence Award for its early implementation of both managed detection and response (MDR) and network detection and response (NDR) and alignment with WatchGuard's technology roadmap. Clearly IT was recognised with the Competitive Win of the Year award for deploying a comprehensive WatchGuard solution for a major client, replacing older security systems. VITG received the Marketing Program of the Year award for a successful campaign centred on the AISA Cyber Security Conference, which resulted in lead generation and year-on-year growth.
Channel-focused approach
WatchGuard operates a 100% channel-driven model throughout Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. This approach is supported by local enablement programmes such as roadshows and bootcamps, the roll-out of new security offerings like ThreatSync, MDR and NDR, and flexible licensing provided through the FlexPay scheme, all delivered via the WatchGuardONE programme. This programme aligns with established frameworks, including the Essential Eight, and over the last 12 months has contributed to a 20% increase in partner certifications and engagement in the ANZ region.
WatchGuard's channel partner model has also contributed to its third consecutive year as a Champion in the Canalys Cybersecurity Leadership Matrix for 2025, based on partner evaluations of the company's ease of business, profitability and support.
Industry feedback "Our partners are central to how we deliver security outcomes across Australia and New Zealand. These awards recognise the commitment, capability and impact our top performers delivered - from competitive wins to marketing execution. We're proud to support such a strong ecosystem, and we'll keep backing our partners with the tools, insights and flexibility they need to grow."
Systemnet's Operations Manager, Bruno Ianni, provided insight into the company's approach, saying: "Being named ANZ Partner of the Year by WatchGuard is a real nod to the way we do things - long-term thinking, deep technical knowledge, and a no-nonsense focus on what works for our clients. The flexibility of the platform lets us deliver full-stack solutions without the usual complexity, and the strength of that approach really showed in the second half of last year, where we saw nearly half of our annual growth. We're excited to keep building on this momentum."
Darren Grant, Director, Clearly IT, reflected on his company's recognition: "This was about backing our instincts and delivering the right solution from the outset. We saw a clear opportunity to replace complexity with something smarter and more unified - and it resonated. We're proud to be recognised for our first major deployment with WatchGuard, and the partnership helped us deliver a rollout that hit every requirement without unnecessary overhead."
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NZ Herald
an hour ago
- NZ Herald
Student loan debt hits $16 billion, most overseas borrowers aren't paying it back on time
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Wednesday: Consumer debt dips but 470,000 Kiwis behind on payments Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter covering business, breaking news and local stories from Tāmaki Makaurau. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022. Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
an hour ago
- NZ Herald
Society Insider: East Imperial founder Tony Burt's new business with chef Peter Gordon; Sir Colin Giltrap's family motorsport legacy; Kylie Bax's model agent Kim Larking's new venture
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On the panel are Wynn Hamlyn founder Wynn Crawshaw; Harris Tapper co-founder Lauren Tapper; Rebe founder Rebe Burgess; and Georgia Alice and Flowers founder Georgia Currie. The other must-see panel is From Idea to Empire: Turning Creativity into Global Success, which features visiting Australian Ksubi Creative Director Pip Edwards with Karen Walker, who is showing at the week for the first time in 15 years, and Stolen Girlfriends' Marc Moore, who will feature onsite at Shed 10 on Wednesday. Designer Karen Walker is showing at Fashion Week for the first time in 15 years. Ksubi's Pip Edwards will be part of New Zealand Fashion Week 2025. NZ Fashion Week owner Feroz Ali tells Society Insider that after being away for two years, he and his team are looking forward to giving the fashion industry the jumpstart it needs. 'We've been overwhelmed with the way the industry has embraced the new direction for the event, and I look forward to seeing people experience it in real life,' says Feroz. NZ model and agency founder Kim Larking goes from fashion to philanthropy Former model and founder of Clyne Model Management, Kim Larking. For more than 25 years, Kim Larking was a giant in the fashion and modelling industry. His next chapter has focused on giving back to create a better world. Larking, 61, walked the top runways around the world in the mid-1980s and the early 1990s, going on to create one of New Zealand's top modelling agencies, Clyne Model Management, where Kylie Bax was one of his signings. He now runs a charitable organisation, Vision for Humanity, and has become an author. 'I've gradually redirected my life from the heights of the fashion world, while wishing to stay authentic to who I am,' Larking tells Society Insider. 'I try to use my fashion experience to create relatable, inspirational role model messages to make healthy, constructive habits fashionable.' Larking says that through social media, everyone now has a platform to magnify their beliefs, values, and interests, subtly influencing the direction of society. 'That should be used for constructive purposes,' he says. Kim Larking, 61, walked the top runways around the world in the mid-1980s and the early 1990s. Larking modelled around the world for six years in Milan, Paris, London, Tokyo, Canada, and Spain, and worked for designers Armani, Missoni, and Valentino in Milan. As an 18-year-old, Larking says, his education was travelling the developing world on a shoestring budget of 50 cents a day, which he says was an extreme contrast to being backstage at the haute couture runway shows of Jean Paul Gaultier with all the supermodels of the era. It was these extreme life perspectives that he says helped shape his unique view of the world. With a book filled with solid global industry contacts, Larking started Clyne Management in 1991. He credits the success of Kylie Bax as a key milestone in turning his agency into a powerhouse. 'Having discovered and managed Kylie, placing her globally, every door in the fashion world opened wider,' he says. Kylie Bax's success was key to turning Kim Larking's agency into a powerhouse. One of Larking's most significant moments for Bax was signing her with Woman Agency in New York, where she worked with photographer Steven Meisel – famous for his work in Vogue as well as for photographing Madonna for her controversial book Sex. 'Her stardom flowed from there,' Larking says. Other famous names on Clyne's books included Michelle Blanchard, who went on to feature on Real Housewives of Auckland, and Nicola Robinson, later known as Nicky Watson while married to Eric Watson, as well as Nick Bryant, Andrew Healy, Andrew Von Lochner, Jannette Williams, Racheal Millar, Peter Nolet, Chloe Hardy, Tia Woods, Jessica Clarke, and Emily Baker. The last thing Larking did at Clyne was to place Georgia Fowler with IMG New York, sparking her international career. Georgia Fowler's move to IMG New York, aided by Kim Larking, sparked her international career. He finished with the modelling industry in 2011, but retained the agency's offices in Auckland's Martin's Lane, turning them into his base to focus on his new business, Vision Products. Kim Larking at his St Martin's Lane home office. Photo / David Rowland The skin and body care range is made from natural, organic, wild-harvested ingredients, and presented in advanced eco-packaging. Vision Products also has a range of bamboo eco-apparel. Larking says he reinvests in "Biospherically Correct" systems. 'A Biospherically Correct system takes into account all eco-social aspects of how products and services can be ethically produced – as per the principles of how our biosphere works,' says Larking. Larking's goals are lofty. Vision Products generates funds and awareness to support its sister charity Vision for Humanity, which he says aims to 'elevate global consciousness and empower people to co-create a successful planet, with more peace, prosperity and joy in the world'. Larking says VFH is developing a wide range of resources to help people 'holistically advance their lives', and there are large-scale templates the charity is working on as initiatives to positively shape the world. When VFH officially launches, Larking says he will bring all of the services into a planned 'urban sanctuary' he hopes to open next year. Larking is also a self-published author, with his first book, Health Psychology: A Paradigm Shift to Greater Health Span, released last year. It includes techniques to assist people with life balance, authentic happiness, self-empowerment, and functional ageing. Kim Larking released his first book last year. 'The greatest satisfaction has come from the regular stream of people who have informed me how the book has helped them,' Larking says. He lives what he teaches, looking years younger than his 61 years, but he believes age is irrelevant anyway – it's your functional or biological age that counts. He says he has refined all his lifestyle habits for optimal well-being and health span, but likes to blend in at a party. 'I drink kombucha from a champagne glass and cranberry juice from a red wine glass to keep everyone feeling comfortable,' he says. Party people of the week Forever Auckland FC Sky TV teamed up with Auckland FC at Event Cinemas Newmarket on Friday night to celebrate the launch of its upcoming docuseries, Forever Auckland FC. AFC founders Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams were joined by a host of Black Knights players, including captain Hiroki Sakai, defenders Francis De Vries and Dan Hall, AFC's CEO Nick Becker and head coach Steve Corica (recently named Isuzu UTE A-League Coach of the Year). Dan Carter and Anna Mowbray at the premiere of Forever Auckland FC at Event Cinemas Newmarket. Photos / Michelle Hyslop and Kellie Blizzard Other guests included former All Black legend Dan Carter, former Olympian Steve Ferguson and his wife, TV personality Shelley Ferguson, Sky's chief corporate affairs officer Chris Major, Sky NZ Original's Nick Ward (senior commissioner and executive producer of the series), and head of sport content, Gary Burchett. Guests were treated to a preview of the first two episodes of the eight-part series, executive produced by a Kiwi television icon, NHNZ Worldwide's Dame Julie Christie. Newstalk ZB's Jason Pine MC-ed the event, leading a pre-screening Q&A with Christie, Mowbray, Becker, Corica, and De Vries. The AFC panel shared their experiences of inviting cameras into the club – an idea of Christie's, greenlit by AFC to honour their rapidly amassed and loyal fanbase. The series premieres on Sky Open and Neon on August 27. Nick Ward and Dame Julie Christie. Photos / Michelle Hyslop and Kellie Blizzard Ali Williams and Anna Mowbray with members of their families at the premiere of Forever Auckland FC. Photos / Michelle Hyslop and Kellie Blizzard Marlee François. Photos / Michelle Hyslop and Kellie Blizzard Anna Mowbray, Dame Julie Christie and Jason Pine. Photos / Michelle Hyslop and Kellie Blizzard Shelley and Steve Ferguson. Photos / Michelle Hyslop and Kellie Blizzard Logan Rogerson, Jordie Gibbens, Dan Hall and Lachlan Brook. Photos / Michelle Hyslop and Kellie Blizzard Megg Alexander. Photos / Michelle Hyslop and Kellie Blizzard Francis De Vries and Steve Corica. Photos / Michelle Hyslop and Kellie Blizzard Real Housewives of London preview The exclusive New Zealand preview of The Real Housewives of London took place in Auckland last Thursday. The show is reality streaming platform Hayu's first commission of an original series, expanding the global franchise that includes versions filmed in Beverly Hills, New York, Dubai and many other cities around the world. Guests watched the first episode, which introduced its six stars – Juliet Angus, Karen Loderick-Peace, Juliet Mayhew, Panthea Parker, Amanda Cronin and Nessie Welschinger – while enjoying prosecco and a British-inspired high tea at the Library boutique cinema at Westfield Newmarket. Guests included RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under Season 1 winner, Kita Mean, former reality stars Colin Mathura-Jeffree and entrepreneur lyia Liu, ZM host Georgia Burt and influencer Win Wolf. The Real Housewives of London is available to stream on Hayu, with episodes dropping weekly for a 10-episode run. The series will culminate with a reunion special hosted by London-based Canadian comedian Katherine Ryan. Tony Collins, Colin Mathura-Jeffree and Lucy Sharp at the Real Housewives of London premiere in the Library boutique cinema at Westfield Newmarket. Photo / 818 Carmen Tsoi and Bethany Pettengell. Photo / 818 Arii Jade. Photo / 818 Kita Mean. Photo / 818 Win Wolf. Photo / 818 Yasmina Coe. Photo / 818 Dominic Corry and Anna-Lisa Tombolato. Photo / 818 Flynn Adamson. Photo / 818 Ricardo Simich has been with the Herald since 2008 where he contributed to The Business Insider. In 2012 he took over Spy at the Herald on Sunday, which has since evolved into Society Insider. The weekly column gives a glimpse into the worlds of the rich and famous.
Otago Daily Times
2 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Sweeney moving from Crew to new startup
"It's been one hell of a ride." Tom Sweeney is referring to the decade spent at technology recruitment agency Crew Technology Recruitment, the business he co-founded in Dunedin with Cory Richards in 2015. Mr Sweeney is leaving the business, which merged with Potentiate Group early last year to become New Zealand's largest locally owned IT recruitment business, this month to establish a new startup in a different industry. "The business is in a great spot, and I couldn't be prouder of what we've built, the people, the culture, the growth, the memories. "It's the perfect time for me to hand things over to the current leadership team, who are already taking it to the next level," he said. Mr Sweeney, who grew up in England, met Mr Richards, who grew up in Central Otago, when both were working in Sydney. They both moved to Dunedin for lifestyle reasons and established the IT digital recruitment company with two desks and a telephone each, their bank balance dropping to $246 within their first eight months of business. The business kept growing, the pair started employing staff and it featured three times on the Deloitte Fast 50 index. They had stuck to their guns and did things their way, he said. After becoming the largest technology recruitment agency in the South Island, Crew set its sights on the North Island and the merger with North Island-based Potentia created the largest locally owned IT recruitment business. Mr Sweeney, who had previously moved to work from Crew's Christchurch office, and Mr Richards joined the board of the new Potentiate Group. Mr Sweeney's role moved from more strategic to customer-facing again, building new relationships, and it made him realise where his strengths were, he said. While he was staying on the company's board and would remain a shareholder, he would no longer be involved operationally. Mr Richards continued to work from the company's Dunedin office. Over the past few years, Mr Sweeney discovered a passion for productivity; New Zealand's labour productivity has lagged behind other developed countries in the OECD. He and several business partners from Australia were setting up Ilaria, a business to help medium to large-size organisations improve productivity through automation and intelligent AI solutions. He described it as a very exciting venture and he would remain in Christchurch, focusing on Otago and Canterbury where he had networks. Mr Sweeney believed the business decisions and experience over the past decade would help establish Ilaria more quickly. His two business partners had also set up companies before and, when it came to growth, he hoped there might be 20 to 30 people on board within two to three years. He was "unbelievably" proud of what he and Mr Richards had achieved, saying they were "two blokes just wanting a better life". He reflected on the number of people they had connected with, the positive impact they had, and the companies they had helped. Dunedin was a great place for businesses starting up. The community was very supportive and there were so many networking events for people to get involved in and understand who else was doing business. The startup scene was "massive". Mr Richards remained his "best mate" and Mr Sweeney believed the pair's differences were behind why the business was so successful. "If we both agreed on everything, we'd be going down one path," he said. "He's amazing, one of the best leaders I know and I'm not just saying that as a friend. He's been an inspirational person to be around. As a mate, it's great to see him grow."
