NZTech Inform – sharing your views!

In advance of the launch of the 2021 TIN report this week, I was reviewing Stats NZ’s data update, Effects of COVID-19 on Trade. This is a weekly update on New Zealand’s daily goods trade with the world. It compares the values with previous years and shows the potential impacts of the pandemic. I couldn’t see current data on software exports and will need to contact Stats NZ for an update. But what I did discover was interesting.

This year, comparing the first three quarters exports, year on year, there has been a strong rebound in exports. For the first three quarters of 2018, exports grew 10 percent, in 2019 exports grew five percent, in 2020 exports decreased by four percent and this year’s exports (to September) have grown 16 percent.

This growth hasn’t come evenly. For example, Fish, Meat and Milk exports have (on average) grown eight percent, while Fruit has declined. Non-food, mechanical and electrical machinery exports have (on average) grown 19 percent. Tech exports are buried somewhere in this non-primary export data, and when I can locate it, I’ll let you know.

This week we are preparing submissions to contribute to the consultation processes for numerous important topics. As the year rapidly draws to a close, there’s multiple submission deadlines! If any of the following are important for your business, please share your opinion. It can be as easy as completing an online form. 

Autonomous drones – Civil Aviation Bill (submissions close 2 December)
Biotech and genetics – Biodiversity Future consultation (14 November)

Blockchain and fintech – Future of Money (Central Bank Digital Currency) issues paper (6 December)

Climate change and tech – Emissions Reduction discussion document (24 November)

Cybersecurity policy – National Security Long-term Insights (18 November)
Data and statistics – Data and Statistics Bill (opens soon)

Digital Identity – Digital Identity Trust Framework Bill (1 December)

Digital Strategy for Aotearoa – Digital Strategy discussion document (10 November)
Electricity and tech – Electricity Industry Amendment Bill (17 November)

Fintech – Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act (AML/CFT) Review (3 December)

Fintech and climate change – Climate Disclosures Framework (22 November)

Waste reduction and tech – Waste Reduction Strategy (26 November)

Finally, we really need your help! NZTech is a membership funded organisation and with an increasing need to represent and support the tech ecosystem, we must grow our membership base to support this. If you are aware of any organisations that are benefitting from NZTech’s work, can you please advocate membership on our behalf. Please forward this newsletter inviting them to join hundreds of other members quickly and easily: join here!

Ngā mihi

Graeme Muller
CEO
NZTech

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