Cathy Hardinge is a Master of Technological Futures alumni.
When Cathy Hardinge joined the very first Master of Technological Futures cohort with four days' notice, she had no business idea and no plan. What she did have was readiness to leap when life nudged her forward.
That leap became Digital Seniors, a volunteer-powered social movement addressing two pressing challenges in Aotearoa: the senior digital divide and ageism. Today, it's helping thousands of older New Zealanders gain digital confidence, while reshaping how we think about ageing itself.
Listening When Life Speaks
At the time, Cathy had just completed a different master's programme and had no intention of starting another. Then her new boss took her out for coffee and delivered unexpected feedback: "I think you've outgrown New Zealand. Surround yourself with like-minded people." That conversation led Cathy to academyEX where she found exactly that.
"Life was making things ready for me. Sometimes you need to listen to the signs, even if it's scary."
Finding the Work That Matters
While exploring potential project topics, Cathy gave a series of presentations drawing from her corporate career. Her advisor's feedback was blunt: You don't care enough about this. "That stung," Cathy admits. "But she was right. Then she started asking different questions, and suddenly it poured out—seniors, ageing, digital inclusion.
"I didn't even realise how much I cared until she helped me uncover it."
That moment unlocked the project that would become Digital Seniors. Cathy's research revealed not just the barriers older people faced online, but also the emotional weight of ageism, often internalised and rarely challenged.
Designing a Web of Support
From the beginning, Cathy knew she didn't want Digital Seniors to be another siloed service. Inspired by the community she found in her MTF cohort, she embedded a "web of support" into the model, connecting with other organisations so seniors could be referred between services seamlessly.
"Your community is your safety net. It's what catches you when you take risks. That's true in business, and it's true in life."
Flipping the Script on Ageing
Her proudest moment was organising the first Digital Seniors Tech Expo in 2024, where 65 businesses signed on to help tackle stereotypes about ageing.
"We need to replace the old, fuddy-duddy narrative with one where ageing is modern, active, and tech-savvy," she says. "This isn't just about access, it's about changing how society sees older people, and how older people see themselves."
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Advice for Those Waiting for Permission
"In the future, how we see a 60-, 70-, or 80-year-old will be totally different," Cathy says. "Don't live your life as a stereotype. Think about what your future self would want you to be doing—and go for that."
Her other piece of advice? Get comfortable with discomfort. "If you're bringing something new into the world, most of your days should feel uncomfortable. That's a sign you're transforming."
Cathy's work shows how the right learning environment can help you discover work that truly matters—and build the courage to make it real.
Cathy Hardinge is a graduate of the Master of Technological Futures at academyEX and founder of Digital Seniors. Her work is helping older New Zealanders get connected and changing the conversation about what it means to age well in a digital world.
Your Future at academyEX
For those ready to begin their own transformation journey, academyEX offers various programmes, from full masters degrees to micro-credentials, all designed to empower the next generation of change-makers.
In a world seeking solutions, Louise's journey from corporate strategist to environmental pioneer shows us that with the right education, mindset, and support, we can redesign our world for the better. Visit our programme page to learn more about our programs and join our community of exceptional innovators.
This article is part of our Student Series celebrating remarkable journeys in technological innovation. If you are keen to share YOUR learning story, send us a message - we would love to hear from you.