About i3

Matt O’Mara is the founder and Director of i3 Ltd with over 35 years’ experience working in senior information management and ICT roles.

Matt offers a unique range of knowledge and insights across a number of areas gained from his experience working in Chief Executive and general management roles and leading complex transformation programmes. 

This includes fulfilling the Chief Information and Technology Officer role for the 3 central agencies (Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, State Services Commission and Treasury). 

Matt played a pivotal role in developing our Information Management Strategy, something our organisation had never done before.

He walked us through the process and his experience within information management, the public sector and local government enriched the process so much that it was not intimidating but exciting. He offers practical well thought out advice which stems from his wide ranging knowledge of information management especially within the public sector.

His knowledge and experience could be applied to any organisation (big or small) and no doubt we will be using his services in the near future.”

Emma, Taranaki Regional Council

Career & Background

Matt’s early career involved working in the health sector including six years in a Public Emergency Department.  Since then Matt has worked in a variety of senior roles.  Matt was the first Records Manager to be employed by Archives New Zealand tasked with implementing Archives first electronic document management system.  While at Archives New Zealand Matt was involved in helping to develop the implementation plan for the Public Records Act.

Matt has worked with numerous organisations in New Zealand and Australia.  Client engagements have included developing information management strategies, technology roadmaps and gaining endorsement for programmes of work pragmatically designed to provide the information management capabilities required to achieve operational and strategic goals.  A key theme in feedback from clients is Matt’s range of knowledge across a number of areas and his ability to effectively engage with people at all levels of the organisation. Matt is also a Director of Analysis Paralysis which provides a range of data analytics services.

One interesting fact about Matt’s early career is his minor acting roles including in a well-known New Zealand prime-time soap opera. Here’s a sneak peak of his former acting self.

Education & Professional Development

Matt is the first and only New Zealander to attain RIMPA (Records and Information Management Professionals Australasia) certified Fellow status and one of only 9 people globally.  Matt's experience is complimented by the completion of a Bachelor of Business Studies Degree and a Diploma in Business Studies (endorsed in Management) from Massey University. Matt has completed certificates in Adult Education and Teaching and Intermediate Health Science at Auckland University of Technology. He has also completed the Cyber Security Foundation Practitioner Exam delivered by ALC, PRINCE2 Foundation certification and the Asset Management 101 course delivered by the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia. 

Matt has previously attended the Melbourne Business School Mt Eliza Residential Leadership course and completed a study tour of Japan local government sponsored by the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (Japan).

Awards

Matt’s accomplishments have been recognised nationally and internationally. International awards include the J. Eddis Linton Information Proficiency Outstanding Individual Award (2010) from the Association of Records and Information Management Professionals Australasia for excellence in information management. This award recognises individuals who have contributed highly to the information management profession. Matt was the first New Zealander to be presented with this award.

In 2020, Matt was awarded the Records and Information Management Professionals New Zealand Branch Excellence Dianne Macaskill Outstanding Individual Award. The award honours the former Chief Archivist of New Zealand and is in recognition of Matt’s outstanding achievements in records and information management. 

Philanthropy

Matt is a big believer in giving something back and supporting local communities.

i3 has contributed a donation to a nearby school, supporting their local hockey team's participation in the 2023 AIMS games. Celebrating diversity, the games provide an opportunity for adolescents from all demographics and education contexts to compete in sporting competitions, to meet others from outside their normal peer group, and to learn and build on their social interaction skills. i3 has also made donations of sunscreen stations to local schools to help promote sun smart practices and reduce the incidence of skin cancer.

Outside of this Matt offers his time providing career coaching and mentoring.

Speaking Engagements

Matt is a regular keynote speaker at international conferences and has previously lectured at Auckland University of Technology and has been a guest lecturer at Victoria University of Wellington.