The Hi-Tech board of trustees comprises Marian Johnson (chairwoman), Owen Gibson, Mike O’Donnell, Sarah Ramsay, Brooke Roberts, Amber Taylor, Frances Valintine, Sam Yu and Sam West.
So how did their June board meeting go?
“We all recognised the seriousness of what has been raised and the courage of those who have spoken publicly but also wanted to avoid acting out of public pressure or opinion,” Johnson told the Herald.
“The result of the discussion is that the board of trustees have agreed to establish a clear framework and guidelines governing Hi-Tech Award recognition.
“This is criteria that have never existed before because – quite frankly – we’ve never had to consider this kind of situation previously.”
Work on the new guidelines will take place over the next few weeks, Johnson said.
“Once it is in place, we will assess the current situation against it via a brief board call,” she said.
Resisting ‘public pressure of the moment’
“Some may ask why we are building this now rather than acting immediately,” Johnson added.
“Our collective opinion is that our obligation is to every past and future recipient, not to a single case.
“This means that any decision we make has to rest on consistent standards that reflect the values of our members no matter the public pressure in the moment. We believe that is the fairest and most durable way to act.
“We are treating this with the seriousness it deserves.”
Series of allegations
Since April 14, four women have accused Drury of unwanted sexualised behaviour – ex-employee Ally Naylor, a former employee referred to as Amy, Drury’s former private chef, Megan Ruddle, and entrepreneur Jenene Crossan.
Xero, which first investigated Naylor’s claims in 2017 and 2018, opened a new independent investigation on April 16, 2026.
The company has appointed Maria Dew, KC, to assist with its new review.
Drury has denied the allegations by Naylor and Ruddle and, via a representative, declined to comment on Amy’s complaint.
Some political parties have also distanced themselves from the entrepreneur, with the Opportunity Party returning a $20,000 donation, the Greens saying they would keep a small donation but not accept future donations, and National, which received a $100,000 donation from Drury, saying it would consider the matter further once Xero’s investigation was complete.
Beyond being named to its Hall of Fame in 2009, Drury was named Hi-Tech Entrepreneur of the Year in 2006 and 2007.
He is described on the Hi-Tech Trust’s website as a “technology rockstar” and a serial web entrepreneur.
Drury co-founded Xero in July 2006, listing it on the NZX a year later, before decamping to the ASX.
He was also a director of Trade Me before it was sold in 2007 for $750m.
The Hi-Tech Trust website also describes Drury as “unfailingly optimistic”.
“Rod is recognised as a thoroughly good bloke with an uncanny knack for spotting opportunity when others can only see a glass half-full.”
Chris Keall is an Auckland-based member of the Herald’s business team. He joined the Herald in 2018 and is the technology editor and a senior business writer.
