At the forefront of technology, one of the Bay’s councils has developed an enviable reputation due, in no small part, to a dedicated chief digital officer.
Evaleigh Rautjoki-Williams, chief digital officer at Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council, is leading the charge to make the regional council a tech trailblazer.
With more than 23 years at the council, she has witnessed firsthand the evolution of the organisation and the way it embraces technology to better serve the community. Ms Rautjoki-Williams joined Toi Moana in 2001, as a service desk technician, at a time when the council was smaller and technology was simpler.
“My job, basically, involved crawling under desks with a screwdriver to fix computers,” she recalls.
Today, Ms Rautjoki-Williams leads a team of 36, supporting staff across the region to deliver important services to the community, each with diverse technology requirements.
“From mobile apps and interactive maps, to websites tracking buses and securing information and systems, our work is so dynamic – it’s one of the things I love about working here,” she says. “Were supported to try new things and embrace new thinking, to always look at how we can work smarter for our communities.”
When Ms Rautjoki-Williams started her career, women were a rarity in the tech industry. At conferences, she recalls being one of just a handful of women among thousands of men. Today, the landscape is remarkably different.
Toi Moana has a, roughly, 60 to 40 female-to-male ratio and our executive team is predominantly female. There is huge diversity now, not just in terms of gender but culturally too. I am really lucky to have people from all over the world in my team.”
Ms Rautjoki-Williams’s commitment to growth is evident in her education journey, from earning a graduate diploma in information systems to completing an executive MBA. At Toi Moana, shes proud to champion ongoing learning for her team.
“With technology, you have to stay up to date, so we ensure everyone has opportunities to grow and develop new skills.”
One of the many projects Ms Rautjoki-Williams is leading at Toi Moana is the exploration of artificial intelligence (Al), focusing on how it can save staff time and enhance efficiency.
“Why wouldn’t we embrace tools designed to improve efficiency, especially in a council environment where were accountable to the community?” she says.
Under Ms Rautjoki-Williams’s leadership, the council has provided staff with guidance on safe Al use, empowering them to harness its potential while managing risks.
Contrary to the outdated perception of councils as slow-moving, she describes a fast-paced, tech-driven workplace.
“Technology enables us to connect and learn from others worldwide, sharing solutions to common challenges – the possibilities are endless!”
