Telstra today announced its expansion into the New Zealand market via a strategic reseller agreement with Vodafone New Zealand^[1].

The exclusive agreement will see Vodafone New Zealand offer Telstra’s leading Open Managed Security Services (MSS) platform, a 24/7 security service that rapidly detects and notifies customers of security incidents, to corporate and government customers in New Zealand.

Telstra’s expansion into New Zealand is focused on supplying differentiated technology and network solutions to Trans-Tasman and New Zealand enterprises through key arrangements with NZ-based partners.

“We are very excited to be able to expand our presence in New Zealand and announce our security services reseller arrangement with Vodafone New Zealand,” said Michael Ebeid, Group Executive for Telstra's Enterprise function.

“We are exploring similar arrangements in the managed services, cloud and digital services domains. Customers are already talking with us about how we can not only help them improve their operations in New Zealand but also reach global markets via our global capabilities,” he said.

To lead its expansion into the New Zealand market, Telstra has appointed Rob Lee as Managing Director of New Zealand. Rob joined Telstra in July 2018 after a 30 year career at IBM, where he held a number of senior leadership roles including Managing Director of IBM New Zealand.

Warren Shera, Head of Security Practice from Vodafone New Zealand said, “Telstra’s Managed Security platform will be a core offering in Vodafone New Zealand’s new security practice.

“This new capability will give us the tools to provide greater security for all of Government and New Zealand citizens,” he said.

Telstra’s Security capability has deep roots in New Zealand as Telstra’s centre of excellence for Cyber Security DevOps and Data Science is located in Christchurch. This globally leveraged capability is built on Telstra’s 2016 acquisition of advanced security analytics provider Cognevo and forms a key part of Telstra’s Managed Security Services offering.

^[1] In 2012 Telstra sold TelstraClear, at the time the third largest telecommunications provider in the country, to Vodafone NZ.