AI
Now more than ever (and 20 years on) Markdown might be one of the most useful skills you can quickly learn. But not for the reason most people think. It’s not about formatting text. It’s because Markdown turns out to be a near-perfect interface between humans and
Essays
Why APIs aren’t the interface agents need We’ve learned this lesson once already. There was a time when APIs were shaped too closely to the systems behind them — thin layers over databases, service boundaries leaking straight through. It worked, but it made those APIs harder to use and
Field Notes
I’ve seen this pattern repeat across different layers of the industry. Not identical each time. But recognisable enough to call. When something new appears, something that changes how systems or users interact, we don’t standardise first. We start. This tends to unfold in three phases. First, something becomes
AI
What Boards Should Be Asking in 2026 Websites are not disappearing this year. But for the first time in the history of digital commerce, decision-making is beginning to move outside them. That shift, however gradual has strategic implications now. The conversation about AI in enterprises has largely focused on
Essays
There are moments in technology where the interface changes and with it, the power structure behind it. The web browser did this. Mobile apps did this. Marketplaces did this. 2026 will be remembered as the year commerce shifts from the enterprise-owned channel to the AI Assistant. Not as a
Leadership
There’s a word I use regularly, and sometimes needs explaining: patina. If you own a proper carbon steel knife or pan, you’ll know what it is. Out of the box it’s bright and uniform. Over time it darkens. Irregular blues and greys appear. It’s not rust.
Field Notes
Lately, a few conversations and examples, particularly around MCP and the momentum building behind agentic AI and integration patterns, has pushed me to revisit some older mental models. There’s a lot to like in what’s emerging. The composability is real. The primitives (Identity, Permission, Scope, Context...) feel cleaner
Essays
If there is one thing that I’m constantly encouraging my team to do, it’s to get into alignment with each other. You know the pattern: close the door, everyone has their say, debate the issue properly, and when we leave the room we’ve all signed up to
In Conversation
The This Is Your Captain Speaking podcast elevates you to 30,000 feet for candid insights from NZ's best known technology executives and their journeys to the top. Any person that has flown often has a story about an unlikely or surprising conversation that they have had on
Field Notes
On Ramps — the ability to join; an entranceway. I’ve worked at a number of companies with a policy that goes something like this: “Our recruitment targets engineers with 2–3 years’ experience.” Huh? Who gives them the 2–3 years then? This isn’t just a passing thought. It’
Field Notes
Over the last few years, I don’t think I’ve enjoyed anything more than mentoring. It’s been deeply rewarding. I wish I’d invested in it earlier—but I’m here now, and hopefully accelerating. A few things I’ve learned are non-negotiables. * The mentee chooses you
Leadership
When it comes to enabling leaders in my team, I think we often overcomplicate what “empowerment” actually means. For me, it comes down to a simple, repeatable frame: two statements and one question. An intentional de-complexifying of things. The goal is to manage the outcome, not the method, and