New Zealand’s leading tech organisations have released a ground-breaking manifesto for the country’s digital future
The digital copy of the New Zealand’s Digital Future report has been sent to every member of parliament and to key government officials throughout multiple agencies as technology is far-reaching – from health and education to regions, small to medium businesses and social and primary industries.
Led by 20 major Kiwi tech organisations led by NZTech, IT Professionals (ITP) and InternetNZ, the collaborative report offers a dozen manifesto goals including 
a call for New Zealand to establish a dedicated Ministry for the Future, focusing on positioning New Zealand and all government agencies and society to take best advantage of a technologically enabled future.
NZTech Chief Executive Graeme Muller says the prosperity of New Zealand is inextricably linked to how Kiwis embrace the future as a digital nation.
“As we approach the 2017 election, we strongly encourage all political parties to embrace this manifesto and commit to bringing life to its recommendations.
“The manifesto focuses on three key areas: The future of our people, the future of our economy and the future of our government so New Zealand’s digital potential can be fully realised.”
He notes that the tech sector is now New Zealand’s third-largest exporter and is growing fast, contributing over $16 billion to GDP and employing 100,000 people.
But it’s not just about the tech sector as new digital technologies are driving economic and social change, Muller says.
“For New Zealand to remain competitive in the near future, it needs to plan and prepare for this unprecedented technology change today.
“The prosperity of New Zealand is inextricably linked to how we embrace our future as a digital nation.
“With the convergence of technologies such as fast Internet speeds, mobility, big data and cloud computing we are beginning to see a wave of technology change impacting almost every part of society and the economy.”
He notes that nine per cent of the world had a smart phone in 2011; now more than 25 per cent are connected to the Internet via mobile.
The average industrial robot cost $500,000 in 2008 – they now cost as little as $20,000.
“In 1980, solar power cost $30 per kilowatt in the US, now it is as low as 4c per kW.
“In 2011, the sensors in an autonomous car cost $350,000; they now cost less than $1,000.
“These are just some examples of how tech is changing the world so rapidly.
Tech is crucial to New Zealand’s future,” Muller insists.
InternetNZ Chief Executive Jordan Carter says connection to the Internet is becoming ever-more essential for people’s business and personal lives.
There’s been huge investment in making sure top-quality connectivity is available around New Zealand, he says.
“The challenge in the next term of parliament is three-fold: continuing to boost rural and regional access; making sure there are cost-effective options for those who can’t afford huge Internet bills; and making sure that everyone can make better use of time online when they have access.
This manifesto provides a route map for New Zealand’s success.”
ITP Chief Executive Paul Matthews says New Zealand has a major opportunity for continued significant economic growth and employment led by the tech sector.
But whichever parties are in government post-election, they will need to embrace this opportunity through future-focused policy in a range of areas.
“We hope all parties will support changes needed to ensure a modern future-focused education system, while also focusing on badly needed change to how public research is funded in New Zealand,” Matthews says.
“This collaboration is unprecedented and the 20 tech bodies who have contributed have done so to help New Zealand prosper.”
The 12 manifesto tech goals are:
- New Zealand develops world-leading technology by increasing the proportion of digital tech related public research and improving indirect incentives for industry research and development.
- New Zealand equips every child with the digital technology skills needed to be safe and successful in a digital world through comprehensive digital technology education.
- New Zealand is recognised as a world leader in equipping its citizens for the changing economy, through in-work training, career transition support, and public sector leadership in the use of new technologies.
- New Zealanders have affordable access to reliable, high-speed Internet, coupled with the skills and equipment to use it. As part of this, there should be parity between urban and rural areas with regards to speed / quality and cost.
- New Zealand is recognised as having one of the most digitally savvy economies in the world, with tech product and service exports being our top export sector. The majority of New Zealand businesses either sell or engage in business online.
- New Zealand remains open for business, welcoming genuine skilled migrants in areas of strong need in the digital and technology sector while significantly improving the process of matching the skills of potential immigrants with areas of un-met need.
- New Zealand continues to be a world-leading nation to do business in and with whilst maintaining privacy and data security. This is achieved through a world leading approach to cyber security including education, policy and preparedness.
- New Zealand develops a transparent framework for buyers and sellers through government wide prequalification standards and low cost, easy to use procurement processes.
- New Zealand fully embraces open standards and provides a level playing field for technology in general, and IT services in particular.
- New Zealand continues to be recognised internationally as a bastion for privacy, a country which values and protects the privacy of its citizens through policy whilst still allowing economic growth.
- New Zealand embraces online digital tools to provide efficient, consultative and inclusive policy-making process or allowing for rapid updating of legislation.
- New Zealand establishes a dedicated, Ministry for the Future, focusing on positioning New Zealand and all government agencies and society to take best advantage of a technologically enabled future.
