Imagine Series 2025: Building resilient futures through hybrid cloud innovation

Westcon-Comstor New Zealand’s flagship event brings together over 180 tech leaders to explore the power of hybrid cloud.

Westcon-Comstor New Zealand recently hosted its 18th annual Imagine Series: Resilient Futures event in Auckland, bringing together more than 180 technology leaders, partners, and innovators for a day dedicated to tackling today’s most pressing business and digital challenges.

According to Frost & Sullivan, New Zealand’s cloud services market is expected to grow significantly from $2.54 billion in 2024 to $5.95 billion by 2029. The Imagine Series provided a timely platform for businesses to explore how to navigate this opportunity with clarity and confidence.

A platform for bold ideas and real-world innovation

This year’s event took place in a new hybrid format, welcoming guests both in-person in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, and online for those tuning in from anywhere across the country. This flexible approach opened doors for even more IT professionals, executives, and partners to share in the experience, no matter where they were.

Held against the backdrop of a rapidly shifting economic and digital landscape, this year’s Imagine Series focused on the transformative role of hybrid cloud models in helping organisations across Aotearoa build resilience, maintain agility, and stay competitive.

Leading global technology vendors including AWS, Cisco, VMware, Symantec, Palo Alto Networks, Splunk, F5, Cohesity, Ericsson, and Pure Storage showcased their latest innovations. Attendees had the chance to interact directly with cutting-edge hybrid cloud technologies and see how these solutions are being applied to solve real business problems.

Real conversations, resilient outcomes

A highlight of the event was the executive panel discussion featuring leaders from Equifax, Restaurant Brands, and Fidelity Life, who offered first-hand insights into their organisations’ journeys to the cloud. The discussion underscored a common reality: for many organisations, hybrid cloud isn’t just a stepping stone, but a strategic destination.

The panel explored how data sovereignty, privacy, and cost-efficiency are shaping cloud adoption, particularly in New Zealand’s regulatory environment. The conversation also highlighted the importance of robust cybersecurity in enabling safe transitions to hybrid models; key in the face of increasing threats and compliance mandates, including those related to Māori Data Sovereignty.

Empowering the channel, together 

Hybrid cloud isn’t just a stepping stone. It gives organisations the flexibility to meet compliance needs, safeguard data, and grow even when the road ahead is uncertain. Dave Rosenberg, Managing Director of Westcon-Comstor New Zealand, put it simply: “Cloud technologies are transforming industries across Aotearoa, enabling organisations to adapt quickly in a constantly evolving environment. Hybrid cloud models strike the right balance between agility, control, and cost.”

Looking forward, Westcon-Comstor remains committed to helping partners and businesses across New Zealand get ready for whatever comes next.