Transformations don’t fail because of slide decks – they fail in the messy middle, where people are stressed, alignment drifts, and hard problems finally make their way to the top.In this episode, Jakub sits down with Allan Sampson, Executive General Manager – New Zealand at Gentrack, who has spent more than two decades leading large-scale software and business transformations in the energy and utilities sector.Allan shares what really makes transformation programmes hard: complex vendor–client dynamics, misaligned expectations, fragile governance, “watermelon” reporting, and the human reactions to sustained pressure. He talks through how he thinks about leaders, steady “followers”, and detractors on a programme, and what it takes to build trust and psychological safety without turning work into a comfort zone.You’ll hear practical ways to:Read what’s really going on beneath the project reportsBuild authentic leadership that people trust under pressureNavigate escalations, conflict, and clashing personalitiesUse the forming–storming–norming–performing model in real teams (including the often-ignored “adjourning” stage)Recognise and manage stress in yourself and your teams, and help people find what’s actually in their controlClose out a big programme in a way that captures learning and honours the relationships you’ve builtThis episode is sponsored by Wires Uncrossed.
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37:29
From IC to Leader (and Back Again): Owning Your Career Path with Craig Bensemann
What makes a retro actually useful—and why do so many senior devs stall out? Craig Bensemann brings sharp insights and real-world fixes.Too many teams are “doing agile” without improving. And too many senior devs are stuck, unsure what’s next. Craig Bensemann—senior developer, mentor, and author of Retros Don’t Suck—joins Jakob to unpack both.With two decades in tech, Craig has led teams, mentored developers, and experienced firsthand what happens when retros become venting sessions and careers lose momentum. In this conversation, he explains why rigid scrum can be today’s waterfall, how to shorten feedback loops in real ways, and how to bring intentionality to career growth.They dig into practical ways to fix retrospectives (hint: fewer action items, more ownership), signs a senior dev might be coasting, and how to lead without a formal title. Craig shares why he stepped back into an IC role—and why that was exactly the right move for him.Whether you’re a team lead trying to reboot agile or a senior engineer feeling stuck, this episode offers both insight and next steps.Key topics: agile theatre, retrospective anti-patterns, career plateaus, developer mentoring, modern leadership without the title.This episode is sponsored by Wires Uncrossed.
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30:51
1 in 4 Users Left Out? Why Accessibility Is a Tech Leadership Issue with Maia Miller
1 in 4 New Zealanders live with a disability. Maia Miller says it’s time our tech reflected that, and she shows how leaders can start today.In this episode of the Tech Waka Podcast, we sit down with Maia Miller, founder of Aleph Accessibility, to unpack the why, how, and impact of building accessible tech. Maia shares her own journey from frontend dev to Aleph Accessibility founder, and breaks down:What accessibility really means in digital productsThe NZ-specific landscape: what’s working, what’s brokenHow accessibility benefits all users, not just disabled usersPractical steps tech leaders can take next weekHow good accessibility makes your AI, codebase, and customer experience betterWhether you’re an engineering manager, product leader, or platform owner, this episode will expand your perspective and give you tangible ways to lead better.This episode is sponsored by Wires Uncrossed.
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35:32
From Outsider to Security Founder with Ankita Dhakar
From no tech background to leading a cybersecurity startup — Ankita Dhakar is reshaping how NZ does pentesting.What happens when you have no tech background, no network, and still decide to start a cybersecurity company? Ankita Dhakar did exactly that — and today she’s the founder and CEO of Capture The Bug, helping listed companies rethink penetration testing.In this episode of Tech Waka, Ankita shares her journey from moving to NZ as a student to building a platform-first pentesting company. We talk about what it’s like being an immigrant woman in a male-dominated industry, how she built credibility without a technical background, and what traditional vendors get wrong about security.We also unpack:How she managed mental health in the lonely early daysWhat makes Capture The Bug’s approach different (and more useful)Why community, kindness, and consistency are her biggest assetsWhether you’re a founder, leader, or security professional — this conversation offers insights and inspiration in equal measure.This episode is sponsored by Wired Uncrossed.
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BEACON - The off-site NZ tech leaders need with Andrea Magnorsky
Andrea Magnorsky joins Jakub to pull back the curtain on BEACON — a tech leadership off-site in Auckland on Mon 13 October 2025. Morning: six 20-minute talks + panels across people, product, and architecture. Afternoon: an unconference to tackle your real problems with peers. Theme: Sustainable Evolution — practical change without the theatre. Small room (~30 leaders), no sponsors, curated connections.Beacon website: https://beaconconf.comThis episode is sponsored by Wires Uncrossed.
Tech Waka Podcast: Journeys of New Zealand Tech Leaders.
Here we dive into the stories of New Zealand's top tech leaders. Your host, Jakub Jurkiewicz, brings you conversations with CTOs, CIOs, and tech innovators from across Aotearoa. Join us as we uncover the experiences, challenges, and successes that shape our tech community.
This is where New Zealand's technology journey unfolds.
New Zealand