Invercargill Marketing Manager Finalist in National Tech Awards

A marketing manager from Invercargill has been recognised at a national level, earning a spot as a finalist in the Innovation category at the Reseller News Women in ICT Awards.

Tina Guina of Focus Technology Group was selected from a record 217 nominations across 77 organisations in New Zealand's technology sector. The awards, now in their tenth year, celebrate outstanding women working in technology across the country.

Guina has been recognised for her storytelling approach to communicating complex technology to businesses. Instead of focusing purely on technical features, her work helps organisations understand how technology can be applied in practical, real-world situations.

"At Focus, we've always believed that to make the complex simple like technology, it should be understood, not just implemented. Innovation isn't just about what is built, it's about how people engage with it and the value it creates for their business," Guina said.

Over the past three years, Guina has developed several initiatives to make technology more accessible to local businesses. These include The Better Business Series, a video platform featuring real client stories, The Digital Roast Podcast, and a regional roadshow focused on practical use of artificial intelligence tools like Microsoft Copilot.

Focus Technology Group Chief Executive Brendon McDermott said the recognition reflects a different approach to innovation within the business.

"Tina's work has helped reshape how we connect with our clients and the wider business community," McDermott said. "She's taken an innovative approach to marketing technology in helping businesses make confident decisions."

The awards ceremony will take place at the Cordis in Auckland on 17 June 2026, where winners across all categories will be announced.

The recognition puts Invercargill on the map in New Zealand's technology sector, highlighting local expertise in making complex technology understandable for businesses. Guina's nomination comes at a time when businesses across Southland are increasingly looking to technology to improve their operations and competitiveness.