Canoe Racing New Zealand is looking beyond the paddling community to fill its newest committee, casting a wide net for technology specialists who can help drag the sport into the digital age.
The national body is forming a Technology & Innovation Committee and is on the hunt for up to five members with backgrounds spanning software, digital platforms, data, broadcast and sport innovation. Paddling experience is welcome but not required.
The idea isn't technology for its own sake. The committee's job will be to work out where technology can genuinely help paddlers, clubs, events, officials and volunteers, then prioritise those opportunities into a longer-term roadmap for the sport.
The scope is wide. Event entry and race timing systems sit alongside membership platforms, livestreaming and broadcast presentation, data and participation insight, artificial intelligence and emerging technology, and performance technology for athletes and coaches. There's also room for ideas drawn from other sports, industries and organisations.
CRNZ is explicit that it wants a complementary mix of people. Expertise being sought includes software and product development, digital platforms and user experience, membership and customer-management systems, event, timing and results technology, broadcast and livestreaming, data and analytics, artificial intelligence, systems integration, cyber security and privacy, digital transformation, sport and performance technology, commercial technology partnerships, and club, event, officiating or paddling experience.
Commercial backgrounds won't rule anyone out. CRNZ acknowledges that many people with useful expertise will own businesses, work for technology providers or have other commercial interests. That's fine, so long as actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest are disclosed and appropriately managed. The committee won't be a platform to promote or sell products or services, and membership won't provide preference or advantage in any CRNZ procurement or supplier-selection process.
It's a voluntary, advisory and action-oriented role, not a full-time commitment. Members will ordinarily be appointed for an initial two-year term, with an expected commitment of around four meetings a year, generally held online and lasting 60 to 90 minutes. There may also be opportunities to contribute to short-term projects or working groups for those with particular expertise or interest.
Expressions of interest can be submitted through CRNZ's online form. Anyone with questions, or wanting a copy of the draft Terms of Reference, can contact graham@crnz.org.
Expressions of interest close Friday, 27 November 2026.
