About us

Inside Supahuman — New Zealand’s applied-AI studio.

We're a local team of AI specialists, born and raised in Aotearoa. We build and run AI applications and operating systems for organisations across New Zealand and Australia — with one goal: to free smart minds from tedious work.

Supahuman Limited is a New Zealand AI company founded in 2023, headquartered at GridAKL in Auckland with an office in Sydney — around 30 in-house engineers and AI specialists, many Master's and PhD-level. Supahuman also builds VETos, the AI operating system for vocational education.

The manifesto

Free smart minds from tedious work.

A lot of what AI is brilliant at is exactly what most people hate doing. When the weight of admin disappears, what's left is human freedom — and that's the work worth doing.

Our story

There had to be a better way to work.

We were founded on a simple idea: in an increasingly complex world, there must be a better way to work. The old ways — relentless repetition, tedious admin, getting bogged down in the mundane — just don't cut it anymore.

"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got."

— Henry Ford

With the rise of AI, there's now something faster and smarter than the old way of working. So in 2023 we started bringing together the smartest minds in AI, machine learning and data science — and got to work helping organisations across Aotearoa, Australia and beyond see the opportunity and thrive.

As a team born and raised in ANZ, we understand the challenges businesses face here. From the start we knew the region needed a specialist, local team that didn't just understand this new reality, but could lead it with a homegrown perspective.

And we've been at this far longer than most — working in AI long before it became vogue. We carry PhD-level expertise across AI, data and machine learning, paired with deep AI software-development experience. That rare combination is what lets us move past the hype and bring your future of work to life.

Why we're here

Our mission is clear: to free smart minds from tedious work.

Value 01

Be brave

We take on the hard, regulated, high-stakes problems others avoid — and we back ourselves to prove the outcome in your context, not a sandbox.

Value 02

Be hungry

We move fast and stay curious. The field changes weekly, so we keep learning, keep shipping, and keep raising the bar on what AI can do for you.

Value 03

Be human

Technology serves people, not the other way around. We keep humans in the loop where it matters and design every system to give time back to your team.

The team

Meet the team.

Behind the studio is a team of 20+ Master's and PhD-level AI and machine-learning specialists, data scientists, engineers and analysts who live and breathe AI.

Dave Howden

Dave Howden

CEO & C0 Founder

20+ years in tech, including roles at BT, Orange UK and Umbrellar — a seasoned exec with the DNA of an engineer. Dave is all in on leading the shift to next-level productivity in ANZ.

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Gau Kurman

Gau Kurman

CMO

Gau Kurman is our Chief Marketing Officer, driving strategic marketing initiatives that strengthen brand positioning and connect with our target audience. She leads our marketing team and oversees the full spectrum of marketing execution, from campaign strategy to lead generation and budget optimisation. With a focus on delivering measurable business impact, Gau ensures our marketing efforts align with company goals and drive sustainable growth.

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Zane Hemmingsen-Jensen

Zane Hemmingsen-Jensen

Integrator | COO

Zane Hemmingsen-Jensen serves as Integrator and Chief Operating Officer, translating company vision into executable strategy while keeping the leadership team aligned and accountable. He owns organisational health and culture, leading quarterly planning cycles and resolving challenges that arise across the executive team. With a focus on operational excellence and team dynamics, Zane ensures the company's infrastructure and people systems support sustainable growth.

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Blair Woods

Blair Woods

CTPO

Blair Woods serves as Chief Technology and Product Officer, overseeing the strategic direction and execution of our technology and product initiatives. Blair brings a collaborative approach to building products that drive business impact and user value. With a focus on innovation and execution, Blair leads the team in delivering solutions that matter.

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Nhi Ha

Nhi Ha

Product Marketing Specialist

Nhi Ha is a Product Marketing Specialist who drives product positioning and go-to-market strategy from conception through growth. She brings clarity to competitive landscapes and customer needs through market research and analysis, translating insights into actionable sales enablement materials and launch plans. Nhi's work ensures product performance aligns with market opportunities and customer expectations.

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James Leslie

James Leslie

Senior AI Engineer

James Leslie is a Senior AI Engineer who designs and builds intelligent systems that solve complex technical challenges. He brings deep expertise in AI development while maintaining a collaborative approach to cross-functional teamwork. James is committed to translating cutting-edge AI capabilities into practical, impactful solutions.

Richard Barnett

Richard Barnett

Head of AI Success & Service Delivery

Richard Barnett leads AI implementation and adoption strategies as Head of AI Success & Service Delivery, ensuring customers maximize value from their AI investments. He oversees service delivery quality standards, client onboarding, and support processes while driving continuous product optimization and performance improvements. Richard is committed to delivering exceptional customer outcomes and fostering long-term partnership success.

Marcus Estrin

Marcus Estrin

Project Lead

Marcus Estrin leads projects within the AI studio, where he helps shape the direction and execution of the team's work. He brings a thoughtful approach to complex problems and collaborates closely with teammates to turn ideas into reality. When he's not focused on the studio's initiatives, you'll find him exploring how emerging technologies can be put to meaningful use.

Joe Auslander

Joe Auslander

Professional Services Manager

Joe Auslander is a Professional Services Manager for the AI studio, where he works to deliver strong outcomes for clients using AI tools and strategies. He brings a practical approach to helping teams navigate new technology and get real value from their AI investments. Joe is focused on making complex implementations straightforward and building lasting partnerships with the people he works with.

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Get in touch

Come say kia ora.

We're based at GridAKL in Auckland, with an office in Sydney. Tell us where AI could take the load off — we reply within one working day.

Start a conversation
Phone
09 872 0340
Job applications
jobs@supahuman.ai
Investor relations
investor@supahuman.ai
Address
GridAKL, 101 Pakenham Street, Auckland 1010 · Aotearoa New Zealand