Why New Zealand’s Cities Are Falling Behind In The Smart City Race

No New Zealand city is on the list of the world’s recently announced top 18 smartest cities, and the digital divide within local and central government may need to shoulder some of the blame.

When tech platform ZeroBounce ranked the top 18 cities – topped by Dubai – but New Zealand was nowhere to be found and at least one leading digital infrastructure expert believes it’s partly due to decision-makers struggling to bridge the gap into a digital world.

“New Zealand's cities are struggling to implement data-driven solutions that can improve the everyday lives of citizens through improvements to transport, waste management, and public safety,” says Ben Ranley, managing director ofSmart City NZ, a company which integrates intelligent digital technologies into urban environments to enhance public safety, energy efficiency, and quality of life.

Ransley says we’re still by and large stuck in processes that are becoming rapidly out of date due to advances in technology. For example, the tendency towards expensive, time-consuming trials is because we are reluctant to adopt technology that has already been tried and tested elsewhere overseas.

What are we missing?

New Zealand’s smaller population should, in theory, make smart city implementation easier and more cost-effective.

Cities like Amsterdam, with a central population of 933,000, have successfully integrated smart technology into waste management and public services.

Ransley says transport, waste, and urban planning are prime areas where smart technology can create immediate improvements. Data-driven approaches could reduce congestion, optimise energy use, and make public spaces safer.

"We need to move beyond trials and start committing to the proven technologies that work overseas," says Ransley. “The complexity in decision-making is costing taxpayers and slowing our progress towards a better quality of life.”

Low-hanging fruit: waste management

One immediate and cost-effective area for improvement is waste management.

Overseas, smart bin technology has dramatically reduced costs and inefficiencies.

These bins use sensors to detect when they need emptying, reducing unnecessary collections by compacting waste up to seven times, saving money and improving cleanliness.

In New Zealand, waste management is often outsourced to contractors who are not incentivised to innovate collection methods. With the right software and strategy, we could cut costs and support cleaner city centres.

How we can move forward

1. Set clear goals for smart city development

Without a smart city strategy, cities will continue to stagnate. Leadership needs to be encouraged to define what success looks like and commit to delivering it.

2. Identify deficiencies and invest where it matters

Whether it's waste management, public safety, or transport, smart solutions exist, and cities would benefit from prioritising proven technologies rather than continuously trialling them.

3. Appoint a dedicated team to drive implementation

A specialised department or task force could oversee the rollout of smart city technologies, ensuring efficiency and accountability.

4. Embrace visionary leadership

Cities making the most progress globally have leaders willing to take risks and drive change. In New Zealand, it seems that most of the movement has come from the private sector.

The time for change is now

Ransley says New Zealand’s delay in adopting smart city solutions is rooted in complex decision-making processes and lack of dedicated budgets.

While cities like Christchurch have made some progress, the changes have been incremental rather than transformative.

Auckland has ambitions to be the most liveable city, but without a clear and committed strategy, it will struggle to compete globally.

“If we want cleaner, safer, and more efficient cities, we need to look at shifting from on-going discussions and trials, to meaningful action. Smart City technology is not a futuristic dream—it’s already working worldwide,” he says.

Learn more at www.smartcity.co.nz

ABOUT SMART CITY

Smart City NZ integrates innovative technology into urban environments to improve public safety, energy efficiency, and overall quality of life.

By leveraging data-driven solutions, the company helps cities enhance infrastructure, optimise resource management, and create smarter, more sustainable communities.

With expertise in intelligent transport systems, smart lighting, and IoT-enabled services, Smart City NZ works with local governments and businesses to drive digital transformation.

Committed to future-focused urban development, the company bridges the gap between technology and practical city planning, ensuring New Zealand’s cities are better connected, safer, and more efficient.

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