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'We Don't Have A Digital Ambition' - Tech Leaders On Lack Of National Plan
Nona Pelletier, Senior Business Reporter
New Zealand lacks the digital ambition required to keep pace with advances in technology taking place around the world, according to an industry report.
"We don't have a digital ambition," the Technology Users Association (TUANZ)'s annual Digital Priorities report said.
It said there was a strong perception among tech sector leaders the government lacked a coordinated and strategic approach to digital transformation, which had seen a slowdown in innovation and investment.
"The overwhelming sentiment? Disappointment and a sense of invisibility," the report said.
"A common view is that government restructuring and shifting priorities have sidelined digital technology - seen by many as a missed opportunity."
The report highlights deficiencies across nearly all *key tech sector indicators, with a stagnant, middle of the pack ranking on the global stage, despite being a major driver of economic growth for New Zealand.
"As the government enters its second full year, digital leaders express disappointment and a sense of invisibility, struggling to pinpoint specific government initiatives in the digital technology space."
The report said the lack of legislation or regulation beyond the Privacy Act remained a major concern for digital leaders.
"Our low and stagnant rankings for cybersecurity and privacy protection underscore the need for urgent action to strengthen our capabilities in these critical areas."
TUANZ chief executive Craig Young said the government and industry needed to work together to address escalating cybersecurity threats, bridge the widening tech talent gap, and ensure digital inclusion for all New Zealanders.
"We need the government to step up in the right places, and we acknowledge this requires support from industry to drive meaningful change together," Young said.
Most scathing were leaders' comments around the tech talent gap which was becoming increasingly difficult to bridge.
"The fact that this country has to rely on IT workers coming in from overseas when there's people in this country in low decile [communities] who don't earn enough money, I think, is absolutely disgusting," Fliway Group chief information officer Kevin Rowland said.
*Key recommendations from the report:
- Prioritising security by design and enhancing collaboration to address cybersecurity risks.
- Investing in local talent, promoting STEM education and partnering to close skill gaps.
- Improving infrastructure, making technology affordable and promoting digital literacy for digital inclusion.
- Implementing robust governance and standards for responsible AI use.
- Developing a national digital strategy and incentivising technology adoption for small and medium enterprises.
- Establishing clear policies for data use and enhancing data security.
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