Information Technology Services’ senior leadership team

Steven Turnbull

Chief Digital Officer

As our inaugural Chief Digital Officer, Steven is responsible for the effective and efficient provision of information technology services to the University, and for providing professional, strategic and administrative leadership in the areas of strategy, policy and innovation in the use of ICT to support teaching, research and administration.

Steven brings over 23 years of experience in education technology across various roles including Network Engineer, Infrastructure Engineer, Infrastructure Manager, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), and Chief Digital Officer. Steven has previously successfully managed his own business as a Chief Information Officer (CIO) and CISO, providing specialised consultancy services to local and national organisations.

Tel +64 3 556 6499
Email cdo@otago.ac.nz

Natalie Reeve

Executive Assistant to the Chief Digital Officer

Natalie provides high-level executive administration and support to the Chief Digital Officer, and is the first point of contact for the ITS Divisional Office. In this role, Natalie provides diary and inbox management, organises travel, workshops, and events, and provides a secretariat for meetings of the ITS Senior Leadership Team and Advanced Technologies Reference Group. She is also a Well-Being Champion and Mental Health First Aider for the ITS Division.

Natalie has previously enjoyed roles in project management and research administration, both at the University of Otago and in the UK.

Tel +64 3 479 3799
Email cdo.ea@otago.ac.nz

Nicola Walmsley

Manager, IT Advisory

With over 40 years’ experience within the University of Otago IT environment, Nicola has a wealth of knowledge about the University and is passionate about facilitating positive customer engagement and close working partnerships between clients and IT Services. Previous roles have included ITS Customer Services Manager, HelpDesk Manager and other technical support and customer service positions within IT Services. Nicola is a recipient of the University’s award for Exceptional Performance by General Staff (2009) and an Honorary Fellow of IT Professionals NZ.

In her role as Manager, IT Advisory, Nicola acts as a strategic interface and business relationship link between clients and ITS.

Tel +64 3 479 8568
Email nicola.walmsley@otago.ac.nz

Aram Raof-Karim

Head of Cyber Security & IT Assurance

Aram leads the IT Assurance and Cyber Security (ITACS) group at the University of Otago. He is passionate about good leadership, efficient operations and protecting organisations from cyber threats. Aram has cyber security and leadership experience across tertiary education, large enterprises, and Defence sectors.

ITACS  is responsible for the protection of the University and its people from cyber threats. They achieve this operationally through specialist capabilities that detect and respond to attacks. They also work to prevent these by designing and implementing security controls (protective measures) across the University’s physical, digital and people infrastructure.

Gareth Wood

Enterprise Architect

Gareth designs fit-for-purpose IT solutions and provides IT architecture guidance. He develops sustainable IT strategies and roadmaps aligned with the University's goals, ensuring they support teaching, research, and modern IT demands. Gareth holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Otago University.

The Enterprise and Solution Architecture work area focuses on designing and implementing comprehensive IT architectures that align with strategic goals. It ensures fit-for-purpose solutions across University systems, driving innovation, efficiency and modernization. The area supports sustainable growth through robust frameworks, facilitating effective decision-making and future-proofing digital infrastructure.

Tel +64 3 479 3142
Email g.wood@otago.ac.nz

Wallace Chase

Head of IT Infrastructure

Wallace brings over 20 years of experience across five universities and non-profit institutions in various technology roles. He has worked at Clemson University, Washington State University, the George Washington University, Lake Superior State University, and Black Hawk College. A dedicated advocate for technology in education and research, Wallace has contributed to the operation of several HPC/supercomputer centres, notably Palmetto at Clemson and Kamik at WSU, and currently serves as Otago Site Manager for NeSI. Wallace has also held positions with several technology-focused research entities such as the National Science Foundation (US), Internet2 (US), and the Research and Education Advanced Network New Zealand, and has served as CEO of the Carolina Research and Education Network (CLight).

The Infrastructure team oversees systems such as the University's computing, storage, telecommunications, network, data centres and physical plant (fibre, cabling, WiFi). At present, ITS Infrastructure manages over 6,500 wireless access points, over 1,000 switches/routers, advanced HPC facilities, over 40PB of storage, and many other large enterprise/research systems in support of University of Otago.

Tel +64 3 470 4727
Email wallace.chase@otago.ac.nz

Craig Stephens

Senior Manager IT Projects Unit

Craig joined the University in 2019 and specialises in leading strategic IT initiatives, managing cross-functional teams, and driving consistent outcomes through structured processes. Certified in Prince2, PMBOK, Scrum, and MSP, he has enhanced project delivery and maturity. Previously, Craig led multi-national IT projects for Barclays in Africa.

The IT Projects Unit leads the delivery of medium to large IT projects from planning to completion. It ensures that each project meets objectives in terms of time, cost, quality, scope, risk, and benefits, delivering successful outcomes that align with client expectations and business goals.

Tel +64 3 479 4911
Email craig.stephens@otago.ac.nz

Terry Wilson

Head of IT Information Systems

Terry joined the University in 2011, attracted by the scale and complexity of the IT systems needed to keep the University running.   Since joining, Terry has found this scale combined with the “something special” that is part of working in higher education supporting the successes of staff and students has made his time fly past.

Terry leads Information Systems which is responsible for the delivery and support of central Information Systems such as our Learning Management System, Student Management System, Procurement and Payroll. Our capabilities include Data Management, Business Analysis, Integration, Development, Testing, Systems Specialists and Application Support.

Tel +64 3 479 8526
Email terry.wilson@otago.ac.nz

Emerson Pratt

Head of IT Support Services

Emerson brings more than 25 years of experience developing and providing ICT-based teaching and learning support and services in the tertiary sector. Emerson’s areas of interest include the design of 21st Century teaching spaces, collaborative technologies and eLearning technologies. Being dyslexic he is also an advocate for services that are inclusive and supportive of neurodivergent people.  Emerson is a firm believer that it is important that technology does not dominate the teacher/student experience but rather enhances and supports it and that the most important two questions that can be asked are ‘why?’ and ‘why not’?​

IT Support Services is responsible for the provision of desktop support, centrally managed Lecture Theatres, eConferencing Services, Media Production, and the development of meeting and learning spaces.

Tel +64 3 479 7077
Email emerson.pratt@otago.ac.nz

Research and Teaching IT Support

Darren Hart

Head of Research and Teaching IT Support

Darren has worked in the tertiary education sector for over 20 years, initially as a researcher at the John Innes Centre in the UK before moving to New Zealand in 2003 to work in the Biochemistry department. A sideways move to IT in 2007 was followed by a change to the RTIS manager role in 2020. Darren Holds a BSc (Hons) in Virology from the University of Warwick.

Research and Teaching IT Support provides researchers with services and infrastructure designed to meet specialised needs. Compute, storage and other systems are available for performance workflows, scientific programming/development and dedicated support for research instruments and equipment. RTIS staff are embedded in departments, working closely with academic staff and students on their projects.

Tel +64 3 479 4965
Email darren.hart@otago.ac.nz

Information Management

Catherine Barriga

Head of Information Management

Catherine has worked in the University in various roles and departments for over 10 years. In this current role she leads a small team to support the University in its role of managing information as a public office. Catherine was born in Peru and has lived in England where she gained experience in government departments. She is a passionate about an inclusive work environment.

Information Management supports staff to manage University information in keeping with University and government legislative requirements (Public Records Act 2005, Privacy Act 2020, Official Information Act 1982). The team provide training, advice and specific guidance regarding the best way to manage information for the University. The team also manage inactive records for the University.

Tel +64 3 479 5794
Email catherine.barriga@otago.ac.nz