RD3 Tech

G’day,

If you’ve made it this far, you probably already know a little about RD3 Tech. So, I thought I’d tell you a bit about the person behind it.

I’m Tom. I’m originally from Wellington, and I’ve been interested in computers, technology and figuring out how things work for as long as I can remember.

I’ve always enjoyed solving problems, pulling things apart, learning how something works and then seeing if I can make it work a little better.

My path into technology hasn’t exactly been a straight line.

I studied Digital Media at Victoria University of Wellington, which seemed like a pretty good way of combining technology with the creative side of things.

From there, I ended up working in some places I never really expected to.

I spent time at Weta Digital as a technical director working on films including The Adventures of Tintin and Rise of the Planet of the Apes, and later headed across to Sydney to work on Happy Feet Two. I’ve taught at Yoobee School of Design, ran 3D workshops for student outreach in Napier, helped Ogilvy Sydney with a 3D project for the ‘R U OK?’ campaign, and spent time working with the Virtual Reality Research Team at Victoria University.

It’s a fairly eclectic collection of jobs when you put them all together, but that’s probably what I like about technology. It can take you in some surprisingly interesting directions.

Along the way, I’ve also spent plenty of time doing the more practical side of things — fixing computers, sorting out hardware and software problems, helping people make sense of technology and generally trying to make things work when they don’t want to.

I also have a Diploma in Information Technology and Technical Support, so somewhere along the way I managed to turn all that curiosity into something resembling a proper career.

Northland has been part of my story for a long time too. My family has had a home in Ngunguru for more than 25 years, so the Tutukaka Coast has never really felt like somewhere I just decided to move to. I’ve spent a lot of time here over the years, and eventually the idea of actually living and working here seemed like the right next step.

That’s where RD3 Tech came in.

I wanted to build something of my own, do useful work, keep learning and have the freedom to do things my way. Most importantly, I wanted to be able to do that here, in a place that already felt like home.

Of course, computers aren’t the only thing in my life. There’s plenty going on outside work too — getting around Northland, spending time at the bach, heading along to the show, and inevitably finding something else to become interested in.

I’ve always got a few ideas floating around about things I’d like to build, learn, see or try. Some are sensible, some are probably a bit ambitious, and a few are still sitting firmly in the “we’ll see” pile.

I don’t think I’ll ever stop being curious. There’s always something else to learn, something to figure out or some new rabbit hole to disappear down for a while.

So that’s the person behind RD3 Tech. Not just the IT guy, but someone who’s had a rather varied journey getting here and is still figuring out what’s next.

Thanks for taking the time to have a look behind the curtain.

I hope this is the start of our technology support journey together.

Kind regards,