New Zealand - Country Commercial Guide
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.

Last published date: 2022-07-31

Overview

New Zealand has an advanced digital infrastructure, ranking in the top 20 countries globally for network coverage, 5G deployment, and internet speeds.  (Source: 2020 Inclusive Internet Index and Speedtest Global Index.)  New Zealand is rich and competitive in fintech, health IT, digital and creative technologies.  The sector is New Zealand’s third largest export sector with revenue of over $8.7B a year.   New Zealand’s information, communications and technology (ICT) sector comprises around 7,500 organizations.  Most multinational brands are distributed in New Zealand.  

The New Zealand Government recognizes ICT as an important component to increasing local productivity and enhancing innovation.  Co-operation between the New Zealand government, banks, and the tech sector has led to an environment of clustering and knowledge sharing.  (In May, 2022, Microsoft New Zealand announced a new initiative to encourage Sofware-as-a-Service/SaaS startups in New Zealand.)  In 2021, New Zealand start-ups experienced recorded growth for the number of deals completed and the amount of capital invested, with a 63% increase from 2020 in total funds invested. (Source:  New Zealand Angel Association)

New Zealand is an ideal testbed for ICT goods and services reflecting a population receptive to new technologies.

IT Sector Data

 

2019

2020

2021

2022 (Estimated)

Total Local Production

(Estimated)

300

300

300

300

Total Exports

213.7

215.9

228.7

230

Total Imports

1713.4

1608.8

1987.7

2000

Imports from the US

74.5

62.4

72.0

75

Total Market Size

1799.7

1692.9

2059

2070

Exchange Rates

1.45

1.42

1.41

1.55

Unit: USD Millions

Source: Global Trade Atlas (GTA)

Leading Sub-Sectors

  • ICT:  Consumer Technology including Wearables and WiFi Connected Smart Devices                                                         
  • ICT:  Gaming and Networked Entertainment
  • ICT:  Artificial Intelligence/Robotics
  • ICT:  Customer Data Platforms
  • ICT:  Digital Health

Opportunities

New Zealand’s internet connectivity to the world is mainly via the  Southern Cross Cable.  Southern Cross’ monopoly on the U.S. route was broken in July 2017, when the US$445 million Hawaiki Cable between New Zealand, Australia, and the U.S. went live.  Hawaiki Cable’s entry into the market provides consumers with a direct high-speed broadband connection between the United States and New Zealand creating new opportunities for American exporters of rich digital content, as well as suppliers of supporting products and services. 

In early 2022, Space-X launched satellites allowing faster broadband internet to New Zealand’s rural and remote communities without the need for a fiber connection.  Improved speeds for New Zealand’s rural/remote communities offer increased opportunities for entertainment services.  Online video streaming subscription is popular in New Zealand with many consumers turning to on demand TV, away from traditional methods.  The three top sources are Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime.

Resources

Trade event:  annually in May, the New Zealand Tech Alliance hosts TechWeek.  TechWeek is an independent platform for the technology sector.

New Zealand Government agencies active in this sector:

New Zealand private organizations active in this sector: