First Focus continues NZ M&A focus, buys MSP OneHQ

First Focus has acquired OneHQ, a New Zealand managed IT services provider, further strengthening its position in the local SMB and midmarket sector.

The acquisition takes First Focus to more than 100 staff in New Zealand and more than 450 staff across the ANZ region.

Built over more than 20 years, OneHQ supports small and midsize New Zealand businesses with managed support, cyber security, cloud, connectivity and technology services

Troy Stodart, who has been a key part of OneHQ for more than a decade, will move into the role of head of delivery for First Focus in New Zealand. He will work alongside Travis Brunton, GM for First Focus in New Zealand, to support clients, team members and service delivery across the market.

Ross Sardi, CEO of First Focus, said New Zealand is a major strategic market for First Focus, and this acquisition gives the company greater scale, stronger delivery capacity and an even deeper team on the ground.

“OneHQ is the type of business we want to bring into First Focus," he said.

"It has strong client relationships, a capable team and a reputation built on trust, responsiveness and practical technology advice. Adding that capability to our existing New Zealand platform gives us a stronger foundation to support SMBs and midmarket organisations as their technology needs become more complex and more strategic.

“The market is moving quickly. Small to midmarket businesses are no longer looking for a provider that simply manages infrastructure or responds to tickets. They need a partner that can help them build secure, modern technology environments, unlock productivity through automation and AI, and continually improve the way their business operates.

“That is where First Focus is investing heavily. We are bringing unrivalled AI capability to local small and midsize businesses, and we intend to launch our AI Investment Fund and CORE into the New Zealand market to help clients move from interest in AI to real, measurable outcomes.

“This acquisition is not the end of that strategy. We continue to evaluate further acquisition opportunities in New Zealand and across the region where there is a strong cultural fit, a great team and clients who can benefit from the broader First Focus platform.”

Mark Anyon, founder of OneHQ, said joining First Focus gives OneHQ’s clients and team the right platform for the future.

“Having steered this business for more than 20 years, I recognised a pivotal fork in the road,” said Anyon.

“The managed IT services landscape is evolving at a blistering speed. Providers must either adapt in isolation or join forces with a partner already leading that evolution. For our company, the time was right for a fresh injection of energy to ensure we stay at the absolute forefront of technology.

“That future lies with First Focus, a larger, highly capable organisation that I have respected for several years. In choosing a partner, my absolute priorities were ensuring our team landed in an environment that facilitates their career growth, and knowing our clients would continue to receive exceptional service.

“First Focus delivers on both. Our clients will immediately benefit from deeper scale, expanded technical capability and a cutting-edge focus on managed support, cyber security and AI integration, which is a capability our market increasingly demands.

“This next chapter is entirely about unlocking scale and potential, ensuring both our team and our clients have the tools and backing to thrive in a rapidly changing technology environment.”

Last month, First Focus acquired Optimus Systems, an Auckland-based managed IT services provider, and in March acquired CNX, an MSP with offices in Nelson and Christchurch