Hon Steven Joyce
Minister for Economic Development
Hon Amy Adams
Minister for Communications and Information Technology
16 July 2013 Media Statement
New report gives in-depth look at NZ’s ICT sector
An in-depth report into the performance of New Zealand’s information and communications technology (ICT) sector was
released today by Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce and Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy
Adams.
The ICT Report makes a number of findings about the New Zealand ICT sector including:
· the rising investment in the sector
· the sector’s strong employment growth, with wages and salaries twice the New Zealand average
· four times as many ICT firms are investing in R than the average for all sectors
· the rapidly increasing exports of computer and information services
· the increasing demand for ICT skills across the economy.
“This report showcases New Zealand’s performance in the ICT sector, which contributes 5 per cent of the country’s GDP.
It focuses particularly on Information Technology services, which have achieved export growth of 10 per cent per annum
since 2002,” Mr Joyce says.
“The report also notes the 60 specific initiatives the Government is implementing under its Business Growth Agenda to
help ICT businesses and exporters expand internationally,” Mr Joyce says.
“Government initiatives include the establishment of Callaghan Innovation, improvements to business R grants and expanded co-funding, the roll out of ultra-fast broadband to 75 per cent of New Zealanders by 2019, and our
increased investment in science and engineering places at our tertiary institutions.
“A big issue for ICT companies is attracting enough highly-skilled graduates. Latest figures from the TEC show that the
number of EFTS places at degree level in New Zealand has grown by 22 per cent over the last two years, and the number of
degree graduates with IT specialties is predicted to increase from 1200 in 2011 to between 1600 and 1900 annually by
2014. That sort of growth will need to continue in the years ahead.”
Ms Adams says the report shows that ICT is driving innovation and change in the structure of the New Zealand economy –
particularly in jobs, skills and growth.
“Digital technologies are revolutionising business in every area, and some outstanding New Zealand companies are leading
the way,” Ms Adams says.
The ICT Report is the first in a series of seven Government reports that also includes high-technology manufacturing,
construction, petroleum and minerals, tourism, knowledge-intensive services, and an overall report on all the sectors.
Together they make up the New Zealand Sectors Report 2013.
“These reports by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment provide detailed information about each sector and
will be valuable for informing the debate about our economic future,” Mr Joyce says.
“They show the change that is occurring in the New Zealand’s economy with the emergence of sectors like information
technology alongside our traditional export sectors of food and beverage, forestry and tourism.”
The ICT Report is available at: http://mbie.govt.nz/what-we-do/business-growth-agenda/sectors-reports-series
ENDS