19 March 2013
ICT industry deserves govt support
A report showing that a third of ICT companies view insufficient local demand as a barrier to growth shows the need for
government procurement policy to back Kiwi businesses, Green Party ICT spokesperson Gareth Hughes said today.
Statistics New Zealand’s Information and Communication Technology Supply Survey released today shows that 33 percent of
ICT companies found “insufficient local demand for goods and service” a barrier to growth. This comes a day after it was
revealed that National hired an Australian firm to build the pre-registration website for Mighty River Power.
“New Zealand’s ICT sector has huge potential. The Government needs to back it, rather than sending work across the
Tasman,” said Mr Hughes.
“It’s very disappointing to see government contracts like Novopay and the Mighty River Power website heading offshore
when there are companies here that are perfectly capable of doing the work.
“If the Government contracts with local companies it means jobs and income for Kiwis which has a multiplier effect
throughout the economy, and helps build capacity in the sector. If the Government sends those contracts offshore, the
jobs and money are lost.
“There is no reason why government ICT contracts need to head overseas. All we need is a government that believes in New
Zealanders.
“The Greens want to back New Zealand’s ICT industry by making government agencies consider the wider economic benefits
to New Zealand of supporting the local ICT industry when making purchasing decisions.
“We would also supply cornerstone investment to a second international cable to lower prices so that our companies can
compete on an even footing with international competitors.
“The Greens would also invest in ICT education and training, to create the next generation of high-skill ICT workers,”
said Mr Hughes.
Additional information: