For many mid-market companies, growth brings new challenges. What worked when you were smaller (the spreadsheets, the patchwork systems, or the single MVP software) no longer fits the complexity of your current operations. Your organisation’s needs have grown beyond ad hoc solutions, yet bringing on in-house digital leadership, like a Chief Information Officer (CIO), feels like overkill or simply out of reach. This is the reality for businesses sitting squarely in the middle of the market.

 

When you’re too big for a spreadsheet but too small for a CIO, the pain points start to pile up. Systems no longer talk to one another, resulting in duplicated efforts, missed opportunities, or even operational bottlenecks. Decisions that once came quickly from gut instinct now require real-time insights from reliable data. But without centralised tools or a cohesive digital strategy, getting those insights can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.

 

This is the crossroads where many mid-market companies find themselves. They recognise the need for transformation but lack the resources to tackle significant changes alone. And that’s where the right strategic partner can make all the difference.

 

At Target State, we specialise in helping mid-sized organisations bridge this gap. We understand the unique challenges that come with operating in this space. It’s not just about “going digital” for the sake of it. It’s about tailoring solutions to your business’s size and objectives without overloading your team or your budget.

 

Think of us as your fractional CIO and more. We collaborate to clarify your goals, assess current capabilities, and implement the tools and strategies that drive scalable growth. Our approach isn’t about flashy overhauls or unnecessary complexity. It’s about making smart, right-sized decisions that bring immediate and long-term value.

 

Because at the end of the day, the goal isn’t to match the capabilities of giant multinationals, it’s to ensure you’re equipped to compete confidently, efficiently, and sustainably in your industry. Whether it’s integrating data and systems, strengthening operational efficiency, or helping you chart the right growth roadmap, Target State operates as an extension of your team, empowering you to focus on what you do best.

 

Don’t settle for solutions that are too generic to meet your needs or too complex to manage. Partner with Target State, and together, we’ll build the strategy to take your business to the next level because you’re not just growing, you’re evolving. And we’ll ensure you do it right.

01

Too Big for a Spreadsheet, Too Small for a CIO

As mid-sized companies outgrow ad hoc systems but aren’t ready for full-time digital leadership, a new set of challenges emerges. This artic…

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02

When Should You NOT Go Digital? (And What to Do Instead)

Digitalisation offers big promises, but it isn’t a universal solution. For many NZ businesses, the smarter choice is knowing when not to go…

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03

Before You Buy the Tech, Build the Map: Why Most NZ Digital Strategies Fail at Step One

Too many organisations in Aotearoa rush into technology purchases without first creating a clear digital roadmap. This article explores why…

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Testimonials

"One of Ant's strengths is relating to owners in a visionary sense and talking to people who are on the ground...[Ant has a] wide understanding of different systems, processes and applications and can articulate where we're going and what the possibilities are...working with Ant has changed the way we make decisions about IT structures and support systems."

Felicity Hopkins, Director - Research Review

We hired Ant to support us with an important project after he was highly recommended by colleagues. Ant was responsive, speedy, super-helpful and helped us to make key decisions. We appreciated his broad experience, and his ability to hold a high level strategic view alongside expert advice on details. We will definitely be consulting with Ant again and are happy to recommend him.

Gaynor Parkin, CEO at Umbrella Wellbeing

"We don’t need a full-time CTO [chief technology officer]. Ant knows enough about our business he can deliver it virtually. He can translate things for us. During project management, Ant came into his own... Ant gets his head round your business and [took his time] understanding our context. He was really clear about pausing on investment into the app...Ant's inquisitive, curious and approachable - he's very easy to work with."

Gus McIntosh, Chief Executive - Winsborough

"Ant was really quick to understand the business model and our processes and IT structures."

James Armstrong, Director - MediData

"Ant helped us at the early stages of Aerotruth helping us to plan our technical infrastructure and ensure we built a product that would scale. Ant was great to work with and we really valued his support and contribution to Aerotruth"

Bryce Currie, Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer - Aerotruth

"No question has ever been too silly. Ant's been accommodating and helped me understand. I've valued that he understands the charitable sector really well. He can look through the experience that he has with larger organisations and what's the reality for a small and mighty charity where you don't have teams of people that can come in and project manage an IT project"

Nicola Keen-Biggelar, Chief Executive Drowning Prevention Auckland

"Having Anthony was really valuable – to lean in on his skillset – and his connections. He was able to provide impartial advice about the different strengths [of the providers]. It was important that we undertook a good due diligence process. Having Anthony there meant we had impartial selection as well, which is very important to us and [something] other not-for-profits [could benefit from]."

Rose Hiha-Agnew, Program Director - Community Governance

Unlike outsourced IT providers who often operate without deep business knowledge, Target State acted as our strategic partner to ensure technology was purposefully aligned with our business goals, driving real value and growth.

Nathan Barrett, COO Delta Insurance

Ant has a clear, no-nonsense approach to technology. He focuses on outcomes, not hype, and always keeps the business context front and centre. In a world full of AI buzzwords and distractions, he’s someone who brings clarity and direction.

Rohit Kashikar - Head of Technology, Delta Insurance

Although we’ve only just started working with Ant, it’s already clear he brings a thoughtful and structured approach. He quickly grasped the context and asked the right questions to get us moving in the right direction. I’m looking forward to seeing where we can take things from here, especially to ensure we cut out waste and hold vendors to account.

Clayton Thomas, GM – Euromarc