New zealand Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in new zealand, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
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Overview

New Zealand’s Information Communications and Technology (ICT) market was valued at US$19.8 billion in 2024 according to Fast Forward, with an expected annual growth rate of approximately 10%. Key growth areas include Software as a Service (SaaS), Cloud Services, and AI, followed by Systems Design and Integration, then Internet of Things (IoT) Hardware. Strengths in the sector encompass fintech, health IT, digital technologies, agritech, and creative technologies. The government sector is the primary end-user, with significant usage also seen in retail, transport and logistics, construction, and education.

The technology sector is New Zealand’s third-largest export industry, accounting for nearly 11% of total exports. The top 200 exporters generate over $10.5 billion in revenue. New Zealand has approximately 24,000 technology organizations, with representation from most multinational brands.

New Zealand has advanced digital infrastructure, ranking 31st globally in fixed broadband and 37th in mobile speeds in February 2025, according to the Speedtest Global Index. The government considers ICT crucial for enhancing productivity and innovation, promoting collaboration between banks, the government, and technology companies. In 2022, Microsoft New Zealand launched several key initiatives aimed at strengthening the country’s digital infrastructure, workforce, and cloud capabilities, while in 2024, Microsoft made significant investments in New Zealand’s technology sector, primarily centered around the launch of its first hyperscale cloud region in Auckland.

New Zealand serves as an ideal testbed for ICT products, supported by a tech-savvy population receptive to new technologies.

Telecommunications, computer, and information services, USD Millions

Year

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

NZ Exports

289.9

348.7

401.4

439.1

442.8

NZ Imports

309.9

378.3

385.0

421.8

457.6

USD millions
Source: Statistics NZ 

Leading Sub-Sectors

  • ICT: Consumer Technology, i.e., Wearables and Wi-Fi Connected Smart Devices
  • ICT: Gaming and Networked Entertainment
  • ICT: Artificial Intelligence/Robotics
  • ICT: Consumer Data Platforms
  • ICT: Digital Health

Opportunities

In the past, New Zealand’s international internet connection depended on the Southern Cross Cable.  However, new cables have diversified and improved connections: the Hawaiki Cable (2017) links New Zealand, Australia, and the U.S.; the Tasman Global Access (TGA) cable links New Zealand and Australia; and the SX Next Cable (2022) connects New Zealand, Australia, the U.S., and some Pacific Islands. Google’s Pacific Connect Initiative will add a faster connection between New Zealand and Australia by 2026.

These submarine cables enable high-speed broadband, creating opportunities for U.S. exporters of digital content and related services. Additionally, major companies like Google, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Microsoft are building hyperscale data centers in New Zealand, especially around Auckland, supporting growth in cloud computing and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Space-X’s satellite technology was launched in 2022 to provide faster internet in rural areas without fiber, and a 2023 agreement with One New Zealand (formerly Vodafone) aims to provide 100% cell coverage via Starlink by 2026. Similarly, Lynk and 2degrees trialed satellite connections for areas lacking terrestrial coverage. Improved rural connectivity enhances service potential, including entertainment streaming, which is popular through platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime.

New Zealand’s digital focus includes game development (at almost 7%, Auckland has the most game developers per capita in the world), data-driven innovation, and AI.
 

Resources

Trade Events

The New Zealand Tech Alliance hosts the annual technology festival TechWeek in May.                               
Further, Aotearoa New Zealand AI Summit is held in September.

New Zealand Government agencies active in this sector include:

New Zealand private organizations active in this sector:

  • New Zealand Tech Alliance
  • Technology Users Association of New Zealand (TUANZ)
  • New Zealand IoT Alliance

  • AI Forum New Zealand

  • FinTechNZ

  • EdTech New Zealand

  • New Zealand Centre of Digital Excellence (CODE)

 

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Global Business Navigator Chatbot Beta

Welcome to the Global Business Navigator, an artificial intelligence (AI) Chatbot from the International Trade Administration (ITA). This tool, currently in beta version testing, is designed to provide general information on the exporting process and the resources available to assist new and experienced U.S. exporters. The Chatbot, developed using Microsoft’s Azure AI services, is trained on ITA’s export-related content and aims to quickly get users the information they need. The Chatbot is intended to make the benefits of exporting more accessible by understanding non-expert language, idiomatic expressions, and foreign languages.

Limitations

As a beta product, the Chatbot is currently being tested and its responses may occasionally produce inaccurate or incomplete information. The Chatbot is trained to decline out of scope or inappropriate requests. The Chatbot’s knowledge is limited to the public information on the Export Solutions web pages of Trade.gov, which covers a wide range of topics on exporting. While it cannot provide responses specific to a company’s product or a specific foreign market, its reference pages will guide you to other relevant government resources and market research. Always double-check the Chatbot’s responses using the provided references or by visiting the Export Solutions web pages on Trade.gov. Do not use its responses as legal or professional advice. Inaccurate advice from the Chatbot would not be a defense to violating any export rules or regulations.

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The Chatbot supports a wide range of languages. Because the Chatbot is trained in English and responses are translated, you should verify the translation. For example, the Chatbot may have difficulty with acronyms, abbreviations, and nuances in a language other than English.

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