NZ Technology Does Better Overseas Than Locally

The Computer Manufacturers Association of New Zealand (CMANZ) says figures announced today Information Technology Minister Paul Swain, of a 32% jump in exports showed that the rest of the world valued New Zealand technology more highly than the local market.

CMANZ Chairman, Peter Shirley, said the figures prove that New Zealand technology is world-class, but this is not appreciated by New Zealand buyers of IT.

“It’s ironic to see the Government trumpet extraordinary IT export figures while its own Ministries are busily importing foreign hardware.

“The Government has committed to including New Zealand IT in its tenders, but there has been very little change in behaviour by Ministries,” Mr Shirley said.

Local sales to New Zealand end-users of computer hardware, including peripheral computer equipment actually decreased by 1.3 percent between the 2000 and 2001 financial years.

Mr Shirley said the slump in the local market, not helped by Government buying overseas technology, was a threat to the industry’s local viability.

“If your local market is shrinking, and exports are booming, there’s a stronger incentive to shift the business overseas. IT buyers must appreciate that the technology, service and quality case for buying New Zealand IT stacks up. The advantages in terms of local employment, education and industry growth are a bonus,” he said.

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About CMANZ
CMANZ, the Computer Manufacturers' Association of New Zealand, is an alliance of New Zealand's leading PC manufacturers, tasked to represent and promote the local computer manufacturing industry. Their member companies sell to all segments of the market including government, corporate, general business as well as the small business and home computer markets.

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