Interview with Andrew Weaver, Digital Identity NZ

What is it about your job that gets you out of bed in the morning?

I wear a number of hats – from Digital Identity Aotearoa/New Zealand, to independent consulting, helping equip organisations with payments technology through to supporting mahi aroha (literally ‘love work’) with charities and social enterprises. I love supporting people to reach their full potential, especially if it involves challenging the status quo.

 

How did you get to where you are today?

A common thread of applying knowledge of technology and systems (including human systems) to improve and add value. I’m most definitely not a fan of shiny tech for shiny tech’s sake!

 

What is the most important lesson you have learned along the way?

Knowledge and wisdom is everywhere around us – in nature, in history, in different perspectives and worldviews. My most effective and rewarding role is in exploring and drawing that wisdom out, rather than assuming my own narrow perspective is shared by everyone.

 

What’s your message to CEOs in the identity space? What do you suggest they start, stop or continue doing – and why?

Identity is Taonga, a Māori word meaning something that is treasured and cherished. When we change our view of identity information and recognise it as something very personal and very precious we will start to treat it with a lot more dignity, care and respect. That means stopping treating identity as a means to a monetised marketing end and stopping the wholesale harvesting and sale of personal information.

 

In one sentence, why does diversity matter to you?

I have to quote your own motto (which I do all the time, by the way) – Identity systems built for everyone are built by everyone. #ForAllByAll

 

What book/film/piece of art would you recommend to your fellow members?

Technically Wrong is a great book on inclusive design.

 

What advice would you give to the teenage ‘you’?

Explore More

 

Where can we find you on social media / the Web?

On LinkedIn and at digitalidentity.nz.

 


 August 30, 2020