Watercare has appointed experienced water sector digital leader, Martine Watson, as its new chief digital officer.
Ms Watson (pictured) is currently chief digital and information officer at Urban Utilities, one of Australia’s largest water utilities, and will join Watercare on 1 February 2027.
Watercare chief executive, Jamie Sinclair says Watson’s combination of water sector, operational and digital experience makes her a strong fit for where Watercare is heading.
“Martine understands both the complexity of delivering essential water services and the opportunities that technology, data and innovation can create,” said Mr Sinclair.
“We have a significant programme ahead of us. We’re changing the way we plan, prioritise and deliver, and digital capability will be an important part of helping us make better decisions and deliver better outcomes for Auckland.
“With more than 30 years’ experience across infrastructure, including senior leadership roles with Sydney Water and Unitywater, Martine brings a valuable combination of experience, and we’re looking forward to having that expertise around the executive table.”
Watercare plans to invest $15.2 billion in Auckland’s water and wastewater infrastructure over the next decade, including more than 1,000 projects across nine major programmes to renew ageing assets, strengthen resilience and water security, and improve services and environmental outcomes.
Ms Watson says joining Watercare and continuing her water sector career in New Zealand is an exciting next step both professionally and personally.
“Water is life. It sustains our communities today and shapes what they can become. Watercare’s significant programme is helping shape Auckland’s future, and I’m excited by the opportunity to be a part of it,” she said.
“Digital plays a critical role in delivering that future because it underpins almost everything we do. Done well, digital transformation expands what we can achieve together and enhances what we deliver for our communities. That means empowering our people to make better decisions, optimising our technology and making work easier, so we deliver better outcomes for our customers.
“Water utilities across Australia and New Zealand are grappling with many of the same questions about how we plan for future growth, make the most of our infrastructure and harness new and emerging platforms and technology. I’m looking forward to learning from and contributing to those conversations, as we work towards better outcomes for customers and communities.”
