Latest news with #JohnHanna
Techday NZ
18-06-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Tuatahi & Ventia sign NZD $110 million fibre network deal
Tuatahi First Fibre has signed a new agreement with Ventia, appointing the company as its primary partner for service delivery across its fibre broadband network. The agreement, which has an initial five-year term and is valued at more than NZD $110 million, builds upon a partnership between the two companies that dates back to 2011. Ventia will deliver network build, customer connections, and maintenance activities, supporting Tuatahi's growing network across several key regions in New Zealand. Extending a longstanding partnership Ventia brings significant experience to its role, providing services that include design, build, and maintenance, as well as reactive support, field service supervision, and project management. The expanded arrangement covers fibre network operations in areas served by Tuatahi, which operates the second-largest fibre network in New Zealand, reaching over 254,000 households and businesses. According to John Hanna, Chief Executive Officer of Tuatahi First Fibre, the new agreement is a significant step in continuing to meet increasing demand for fibre broadband and delivering service expectations to both retailers and consumers. "We've built a strong and trusted relationship with Ventia over the past 14 years, and this new agreement is a critical step in our ongoing commitment to delivering excellent service to fibre broadband retailers and consumers," Mr Hanna said. He also commented on the partnership's ability to scale to the demands of New Zealand's digital economy and sustain a high standard of network performance. "As demand for reliable, high-speed broadband continues to grow, we're confident this partnership will help us scale effectively, respond quickly, and maintain high performance across our network – connecting more New Zealanders to world-class fibre broadband." Ventia's role in supporting connectivity Dean Banks, Ventia Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, stated that the company remains committed to supporting New Zealand's digital infrastructure as it takes on the role of Tuatahi's primary service delivery partner. "We are proud of our long-term partnership with Tuatahi and are excited to further extend our relationship with a model that enables growth and operational efficiencies," Mr Banks said. He added, "Ventia maintains a strong presence in New Zealand and is committed to supporting the country's digital future as a leading provider of telecommunications and digital infrastructure services." Supporting local communities and digital priorities The arrangement forms part of Tuatahi's strategy to ensure ongoing quality in fibre broadband delivery while supporting local communities and future connectivity needs. The company's fibre network footprint covers regions including Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, Manawatū-Whanganui, and Wellington. By partnering with internet service providers, Tuatahi's approach enables a range of broadband services tailored to meet the needs of households and businesses. Ventia, operating across over 400 sites in Australia and New Zealand, provides a broad range of services across various industry segments, including defence, social infrastructure, water, electricity and gas, resources, telecommunications, and transport. The company has a workforce of more than 35,000 people across the two countries. With the renewed agreement, Tuatahi and Ventia aim to address the growing demand for high-speed, reliable fibre broadband and ensure the ongoing performance of Tuatahi's network infrastructure.
Scoop
13-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Tuatahi First Fibre Extends Service Partner Agreement With Ventia
Press Release – Tuatahi First Fibre Tuatahi First Fibre has signed a new service partner agreement with Ventia, strengthening a partnership that continues to support the delivery of fast and reliable fibre broadband. Ventia has been a strategic partner to Tuatahi since 2011 and has extensive experience delivering services including design, build and maintenance, reactive support, field service supervision and project management. The new agreement, valued at more than NZD$110 million over an initial five-year term, positions Ventia as Tuatahi's primary service delivery partner for network build, customer connections, and maintenance activities across their fibre network. The agreement takes effect from 1 July 2025. Tuatahi CEO John Hanna said Ventia has a proven track record in fibre services and shares their commitment to customer excellence. 'We've built a strong and trusted relationship with Ventia over the past 14 years, and this new agreement is a critical step in our ongoing commitment to delivering excellent service to fibre broadband retailers and consumers,' Mr Hanna said. 'As demand for reliable, high-speed broadband continues to grow, we're confident this partnership will help us scale effectively, respond quickly, and maintain high performance across our network – connecting more New Zealanders to world-class fibre broadband.' Ventia Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Dean Banks said the company is proud to continue supporting New Zealand's connectivity needs. 'We are proud of our long-term partnership with Tuatahi and are excited to further extend our relationship with a model that enables growth and operational efficiencies,' Mr Banks said. 'Ventia maintains a strong presence in New Zealand and is committed to supporting the country's digital future as a leading provider of telecommunications and digital infrastructure services.' The renewed partnership is part of Tuatahi's strategy to ensure ongoing quality and innovation in fibre broadband delivery, while continuing to support local communities and the evolving needs of New Zealand's digital economy. About Tuatahi First Fibre Tuatahi First Fibre is a fibre telecommunications wholesale business established in 2010 to deliver the ultrafast broadband (UFB) initiative with the government. Majority owned by Igneo Infrastructure Partners, we operate New Zealand's second-largest fibre network, with approximately 15% of the nationwide UFB footprint, and employ approximately 240 staff. We partner with internet service providers (ISPs), who in turn offer a diverse range of plans and services to customers using our robust network. This collaboration has enabled us to reach over 254,000 households and businesses across regions including Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay,Taranaki,Manawatū-Whanganui,and Wellington. About Ventia Ventia is a leading essential infrastructure services provider in Australia and New Zealand, proudly providing the services that keep infrastructure working for our communities. Ventia has access to a combined workforce of more than 35,000 people, operating in over 400 sites across Australia and New Zealand. With a strategy to redefine service excellence by being customer-focused, innovative and sustainable, Ventia operates across a broad range of industry segments, including defence, social infrastructure, water, electricity and gas, resources, telecommunications and transport.
Scoop
13-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Tuatahi First Fibre Extends Service Partner Agreement With Ventia
Tuatahi First Fibre has signed a new service partner agreement with Ventia, strengthening a partnership that continues to support the delivery of fast and reliable fibre broadband. Ventia has been a strategic partner to Tuatahi since 2011 and has extensive experience delivering services including design, build and maintenance, reactive support, field service supervision and project management. The new agreement, valued at more than NZD$110 million over an initial five-year term, positions Ventia as Tuatahi's primary service delivery partner for network build, customer connections, and maintenance activities across their fibre network. The agreement takes effect from 1 July 2025. Tuatahi CEO John Hanna said Ventia has a proven track record in fibre services and shares their commitment to customer excellence. 'We've built a strong and trusted relationship with Ventia over the past 14 years, and this new agreement is a critical step in our ongoing commitment to delivering excellent service to fibre broadband retailers and consumers,' Mr Hanna said. 'As demand for reliable, high-speed broadband continues to grow, we're confident this partnership will help us scale effectively, respond quickly, and maintain high performance across our network – connecting more New Zealanders to world-class fibre broadband.' Ventia Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Dean Banks said the company is proud to continue supporting New Zealand's connectivity needs. 'We are proud of our long-term partnership with Tuatahi and are excited to further extend our relationship with a model that enables growth and operational efficiencies,' Mr Banks said. 'Ventia maintains a strong presence in New Zealand and is committed to supporting the country's digital future as a leading provider of telecommunications and digital infrastructure services.' The renewed partnership is part of Tuatahi's strategy to ensure ongoing quality and innovation in fibre broadband delivery, while continuing to support local communities and the evolving needs of New Zealand's digital economy. About Tuatahi First Fibre Tuatahi First Fibre is a fibre telecommunications wholesale business established in 2010 to deliver the ultrafast broadband (UFB) initiative with the government. Majority owned by Igneo Infrastructure Partners, we operate New Zealand's second-largest fibre network, with approximately 15% of the nationwide UFB footprint, and employ approximately 240 staff. We partner with internet service providers (ISPs), who in turn offer a diverse range of plans and services to customers using our robust network. This collaboration has enabled us to reach over 254,000 households and businesses across regions including Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay,Taranaki,Manawatū-Whanganui,and Wellington. About Ventia Ventia is a leading essential infrastructure services provider in Australia and New Zealand, proudly providing the services that keep infrastructure working for our communities. Ventia has access to a combined workforce of more than 35,000 people, operating in over 400 sites across Australia and New Zealand. With a strategy to redefine service excellence by being customer-focused, innovative and sustainable, Ventia operates across a broad range of industry segments, including defence, social infrastructure, water, electricity and gas, resources, telecommunications and transport.
Forbes
29-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Corporate Mentions Of ‘DEI' Dropped 72% In 2025, Analysis Finds
References to diversity, equity and inclusion in Fortune 100 company reports dropped 72% between 2024 and 2025, according to an analysis by Gravity Research, as pressure from the Trump administration has led corporations to gut their diversity initiatives. Corporations have faced anti-DEI pressure from the government and conservative activists. (AP ... More Photo/John Hanna, File) Usage of the acronym 'DEI' in Fortune 100 company reports had the steepest decline between 2024 and 2025, decreasing by 98%, while each individual term also declined significantly: Mentions of 'diversity' dropped 62%, 'equity' decreased 48% and 'inclusion' declined 43%. Gravity Research, a firm that studies how companies manage their reputations and respond to social pressures, analyzed more than 1,300 financial filings, proxy statements, earnings calls and other documents filed between 2023 and 2025. References to DEI also decreased between 2023 and 2024, though to a lesser degree: 'DEI' declined 26% between those years, while mentions of 'diversity' dropped 30%. Words explicitly referring to diversity, including 'DEI' and 'racial diversity,' declined 72% overall between 2024 and 2025, while words Gravity Research considered to be more neutral, like 'inclusion' and 'belonging,' declined 34% overall. Gravity Research found companies adopted more 'neutral' language in 2024 as a potentially less controversial alternative to DEI, but had largely abandoned these terms by 2025 amid pressure from the federal government. Use of the word 'belonging' increased 87% between 2023 and 2024 as a 'safer' alternative to DEI, but mentions of 'belonging' decreased 47% between 2024 and 2025. Mentions of employee resource groups, which are often centered around racial or gender groups and were a frequent casualty of the corporate push away from DEI, dropped between 2024 and 2025, and many of these references mention these groups are open to all. Earnings calls were the only place where mentions of 'DEI' increased, rising 390% between 2024 and 2025, as heightened scrutiny over DEI programs led to an increase in media and shareholder inquiries about these initiatives. Joanna Piacenza, vice president of thought leadership at Gravity Research, said the report 'speaks volumes to the current political environment. It's become so charged, it's become so risky for corporations to speak publicly about their DEI commitments, stating companies are 'trying to keep up not only with how polarized things have become, but what they think consumers and other stakeholders want from them.' Many companies have dropped their diversity programs or reframed them to focus more on general 'inclusion' or employee well-being amid pressure from conservative activists and the federal government. Among the first executive orders of President Donald Trump's second term were multiple directives targeting DEI programs across the federal government, which included threats to 'combat illegal private-sector DEI preferences.' Companies like Meta, Amazon and Walmart began dismantling diversity programs before Trump took office, and many more backed off after his inauguration. Many of these companies have abandoned diversity hiring goals, which Trump has framed as illegal discrimination, and some of these companies have cut DEI officer roles or transformed them to focus on general employee development. Anti-DEI activist Robby Starbuck, who has more than 800,000 followers on X, has claimed credit for several of the companies that have watered down their diversity initiatives, including Pepsi, Walmart and McDonald's, by threatening to expose their 'woke' policies on his social media. A Gravity Research survey published last month found two in five companies plan to decrease LGBTQ Pride Month engagement this year, while another two-fifths said their engagement would stay the same and the rest said they had not decided. The survey elicited responses from 49 corporate executives from Fortune 1000 companies, some of whom cited pressure from the Trump administration and conservative activists. Of the companies who said they would pull back support for Pride, 43% of those said they would reduce external-facing engagement, including social media posts and presences at Pride marches. Gravity Research president Luke Hartig told Forbes the survey 'reveals just how dramatically the cultural and political tides have turned,' stating two-fifths of companies scaling back Pride Month engagement 'would've been unthinkable just five years ago.' Several of the nation's largest Pride organizations told Forbes earlier this year some longtime corporate sponsors pulled back funding this year, leaving the organizations in a bind to replace the lost money. San Francisco Pride told Forbes it lost $200,000 in funds after previous sponsors including Comcast and Diageo pulled out, while NYC Pride said a quarter of its sponsors either withheld or reduced funding this year, representing $750,000 in lost funds. 2 In 5 Corporations Scaling Back LGBTQ Pride Engagement Amid Trump Administration Pressure, Survey Finds (Forbes) IBM Reportedly Walks Back Diversity Policies, Citing 'Inherent Tensions': Here Are All The Companies Rolling Back DEI Programs (Forbes) St. Louis Pride Says Anheuser-Busch Ended Sponsorship—As Corporate Support For LGBTQ Pride Celebrations Dwindles (Forbes)
CTV News
18-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Cape Breton Eagles seek fifth new head coach in six years
Left to right - Irwin Simon (majority owner, Cape Breton Eagles), Sylvain Couturier (general manager) and John Hanna (assistant general manager) are pictured at a table during a news conference at Sydney's Centre 200.
