Datacom’s growing presence in Hawke’s Bay is helping local businesses to thrive, driving economic growth, and creating new career opportunities for up and coming talent. Through technology and collaboration, Datacom is supporting innovation across the region.
Leading Datacom’s efforts locally, General Manager Hayden McKee embodies the company’s commitment to the Bay. Born and raised in Hastings, Hayden’s career initially took him to larger cities in New Zealand and overseas, but he returned six years ago to enjoy the region’s lifestyle and reconnect with family.
“I grew up in Hastings, and even though I spent time away in places like Wellington and London, this has always been home,” he shares.
“Being able to return and continue building my career here has been incredibly rewarding, and that’s what Datacom aims to offer to others.” Datacom’s new office in Hastings’ H Central development symbolises its commitment to the region. The modern workspace provides a base for the current team of 25 and is a hub for Datacom staff visiting from across New Zealand, supporting Datacom’s projected growth in the region.
This location will allow the team to foster connections with clients, partners, and the local community, creating strong, collaborative relationships that bring long-term value to the Bay. Datacom’s dedicated locally-based team is another cornerstone of its commitment to Hawke’s Bay with roles covering engineers, developers, consultants providing deep expertise and is a one-stop-shop across all areas of IT, from cybersecurity and cloud solutions to software development.
Together, they provide local businesses with comprehensive support, tailored solutions, and the experience to drive meaningful business outcomes, making Datacom a trusted partner across the region. Other team members provide broader regional and national service support roles in legal, people and culture from the Hastings office.
“The best way that I can explain the point of difference that sets Datacom apart within the regional market is that we are like a ‘full trades’ offering. It’s a bit like building a house —you Datacom’s General Manager – Mid Market ITO Hayden McKee need electricians, plumbers, carpenters and so on, to get the job done right.
“Well we have got all your IT needs under one roof. Our customers don’t have to cobble together a patchwork of different providers; we can deliver comprehensive solutions tailored to their specific needs.” Datacom is also keen to invest in the future of the region’s talent by creating pathways for young professionals to start and build their careers in Hawke’s Bay.
Hayden and his team are passionate about offering local career opportunities that make the Bay an attractive option for emerging tech talent. Through extensive training, mentorship, and professional development, Datacom enables young professionals to gain essential skills and advance within the company without leaving the area.
“We have an amazing lifestyle here—the beaches, wineries, outdoor activities. Why shouldn’t young people be able to build meaningful careers right here in the Bay?” says Hayden.
By fostering these opportunities locally, Datacom is committed to keeping talent in Hawke’s Bay and shaping a vibrant future for the region’s technology landscape. He adds Datacom also provides wider opportunities within the company that enables young talent to work elsewhere, within the business.
“We want to show these students that they don’t have to go to Auckland or Wellington to find exciting, challenging work in the tech sector,” says Hayden.
“They can build their careers right here, and help us shape the future of technology in Hawke’s Bay.” By offering a broad suite of IT services—from hardware and software to cloud migration and cybersecurity—Datacom is simplifying IT management for businesses across Hawke’s Bay, enabling them to focus on growth.
Datacom also plays a hands-on role in training and upskilling IT staff within small and medium-sized enterprises, helping them move beyond daily “firefighting” to create real value for their businesses. Datacom’s local successes are making a mark. For instance, its work with Napier-based concrete manufacturer Markham Global has allowed the business to concentrate on its core operations without IT worries.
“We implemented our Unified managed service solution for them, which gives them a comprehensive, cloud-based IT support system,” says Hayden. “It’s allowed them to focus on their core business, without having to worry about the day-to-day IT management.”
Other local projects in the last couple of years have included supporting Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora) to upgrade its server operating systems along with delivering a new payroll application for Napier Port, which has been very well received.
Datacom’s commitment to bringing new technologies like artificial intelligence to Hawke’s Bay demonstrates their forward-thinking approach. Recently, they hosted an event on AI applications, focusing on industries such as payroll compliance, where AI can interpret legislation and streamline complex processes.
Datacom also plays a hands-on role in training and upskilling IT staff within small and medium-sized enterprises, helping them move beyond daily “firefighting” to create real value for their businesses. Datacom’s local successes are making a mark. For instance, its work with Napier-based concrete manufacturer Markham Global has allowed the business to concentrate on its core operations without IT worries.
“We implemented our Unified managed service solution for them, which gives them a comprehensive, cloud-based IT support system,” says Hayden. “It’s allowed them to focus on their core business, without having to worry about the day-to-day IT management.”
Other local projects in the last couple of years have included supporting Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora) to upgrade its server operating systems along with delivering a new payroll application for Napier Port, which has been very well received.
Datacom’s commitment to bringing new technologies like artificial intelligence to Hawke’s Bay demonstrates their forward-thinking approach. Recently, they hosted an event on AI applications, focusing on industries such as payroll compliance, where AI can interpret legislation and streamline complex processes.
