Author: vivsterNZ (she/her)

Tēnā koe, my name is Vivian and I’m a consultant with a difference. Do you have a technology strategy that aligns with your business strategy? From a macro to a micro level, I’ll work with your technology infrastructure to reduce risk and maximise your bottom line. Especially passionate about tech for the good of humanity, I’m keen to apply my technical and strategic capabilities to organisations dedicated to making Aotearoa, and the world, a better place.

#ChandraCruise

Posted on January 5, 2017May 23, 2021 by vivsterNZ (she/her) in Whanau & Personal

Goodbye Fanta

Posted on November 23, 2016May 23, 2021 by vivsterNZ (she/her) in Whanau & Personal

This is one of the hardest posts i've ever had to write... especially hard because I had to write a similarly hard one in June. 2016 will forever be the year that my family lost the two bestest friends we've ever had. In June, we lost our wee girl Mirinda, and just last week … Continue reading Goodbye Fanta →

The Shape of Things to Come?

Posted on November 3, 2016May 23, 2021 by vivsterNZ (she/her) in New Zealand Issues, STEM

About a week ago, Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary in Britain announced that Britain would accept the children that were eligible to resettle in Britain from the refugee camp in Calais, France. These are unaccompanied minors (under 18 year olds) that currently have family in Britain. When the children started arriving, what should've been a … Continue reading The Shape of Things to Come? →

The Tampon Tax and other things

Posted on October 22, 2016May 23, 2021 by vivsterNZ (she/her) in Feminism

So a wee while ago I saw a post about a guy from Norwich, UK who insisted that the 'tampon tax' proposed bill in the UK was ridiculous, because women should 'hold their bladders'. He drew the analogy that if he didn't insist on tax free diapers, because he could wait to go to the toilet. Understandably, this … Continue reading The Tampon Tax and other things →

The internet of people

Posted on August 16, 2016May 23, 2021 by vivsterNZ (she/her) in New Zealand Issues, STEM

This is a bit of a musing. Been at NZ Data Forum today. It's been great, as someone who works in a NFP, listening to corporates always gives me insights that I can't get in my tiny bubble. One speaker in particular caused this musing, but it is something that has been in my mind … Continue reading The internet of people →

Pokémon Go and Reality

Posted on July 20, 2016May 23, 2021 by vivsterNZ (she/her) in Human Rights, STEM, Whanau & Personal

I am currently in the land of the Free. We've flown 14 hours to have a holiday in Washington DC and New York City with the family. It is amazing... I've never been in this part of the US before and it is everything popular media promised us it would be. Washington DC has amazing … Continue reading Pokémon Go and Reality →

#sadpanda kinda week

Posted on June 13, 2016May 23, 2021 by vivsterNZ (she/her) in Whanau & Personal

I know it is just Monday but it has already been one of those weeks. Yesterday, after 11 years of cuddles and love, we had to say goodbye to our baby girl Mirinda. She was a loving beautiful creature, and would always be there when you needed her most. I remember one day being distressed … Continue reading #sadpanda kinda week →

#AtenaFarghadani Released!

Posted on May 5, 2016May 23, 2021 by vivsterNZ (she/her) in Feminism, Human Rights

You know when you do research on something and you suddenly take a personal interest in it. That happened to me with Atena's case. I've worked at Amnesty for 8 years now, and been involved as an activist for a few more than that... so I've seen a lot of cases come and go. In … Continue reading #AtenaFarghadani Released! →

Microsoft #hololens – a non-review

Posted on April 28, 2016May 23, 2021 by vivsterNZ (she/her) in STEM

So this happened (image above obviously) I went to what seemed like a fairly exciting, if fairly normal She# event yesterday... and then three lightning talks later Rocky Heckman the business development manager from the Hololens team came up. The excitement was actually palpable! This was the super secret hush hush first ever demo of the … Continue reading Microsoft #hololens – a non-review →

Enough already!

Posted on April 26, 2016May 23, 2021 by vivsterNZ (she/her) in Feminism, Human Rights, STEM

Coasting down the wave of good kudos from my post on IITP Techblog, where I was applauded for being positive about all this 'gender stuff', comes this gem via the Guardian. Go on, go check it out and come on back when you're done. So, let me enlighten you, dear reader, as to why it's … Continue reading Enough already! →