The New Zealand technology ecosystem has seen phenomenal growth in the last 12 months, according to national non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation NZTech.
NZTech chair Mitchell Pham said the group now has an alliance of 20 tech communities and more than 800 organisations, who collectively employ almost 10% of the country’s workforce.
“Technology is critical for the future prosperity of New Zealand and is the fastest growing segment of our economy generating 8% of our GDP and 9% of our exports,” Pham noted.
NZTech members are startups, local tech firms, multinationals, education providers, financial institutions, major corporations, network providers, hi-tech manufacturers and government agencies that work closely with the tech ecosystem to generate economic growth. They aim to build a successful digital nation including digital education, connectivity, cybersecurity, digital inclusion and access and digital trade.
“In a world first this year, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern opened Techweek’18, appearing as a hologram,” Pham said. “NZTech will continue to stimulate an environment where technology provides important social and economic benefits for New Zealand and enable this country to be more relevant to and affect more impact on the rest of the world.”
NZTech chief executive Graeme Muller said 21,411 tech firms contributed over $16 billion to New Zealand gross domestic product in 2016.
“The importance of technology is no longer a debate and we continue to see our membership expand beyond traditional technology firms,” he added. “We are promoting the importance of technology to the New Zealand public and successful New Zealand technology to the world by showing off our best and our up and coming tech firms.”
REANNZ chief information and operating officer Angela Nash and The Instillery chief executive Mike Jenkins joined the NZTech board following elections at the annual grand meeting on July 26.
