Articles tagged with Digital
New Zealand Boosts Small Businesses with New AI-Powered Government Funding
1 week ago | 155 viewsNew Zealand's government is funding AI-powered initiatives to support 600,000 small businesses, aiming to unlock growth opportunities with smart, data-driven tools. The investment expands AcceleratorNZ to provide AI-driven business diagnostics to 500 more firms and helps Business Mentors New Zealand develop an AI Digital Mentor tool to better match mentors with businesses. These efforts modernize support services, enhancing efficiency while maintaining human mentorship to help small businesses grow, compete, and succeed.
Tags: Cameron Brewer AcceleratorNZ Business Mentors New Zealand BMNZ New Zealand small businesses AI tools Government funding Business South AI Digital MentorNew Zealand Strengthens Copyright Law to Protect Creators and Cultural Heritage
3 weeks ago | 245 viewsThe New Zealand government is enhancing copyright laws to extend protection by 20 years and strengthen creators' rights, ensuring iconic works continue to benefit their artists. Changes will allow not-for-profit cultural institutions greater flexibility to digitally preserve and provide access to works, including those with unknown copyright holders, while preventing commercial misuse and combating offshore piracy. Additionally, creators will have stronger ownership of commissioned works, improved protections for digital tools, and ongoing consideration of a copyright framework for generative AI by 2027.
Tags: New Zealand Cameron Brewer copyright law creators' rights cultural institutions digital copies piracy copyright licensing commissioned works generative AIBudget 2026 Invests $294M to Modernize NZ Planning and Boost Natural Hazard Resilience
3 weeks ago | 265 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing $294 million over four years in Budget 2026 to implement a new digital planning and environmental management system that replaces the Resource Management Act, aiming to streamline planning processes and provide clearer, nationally consistent information. This reform will enhance property rights, reduce delays and costs in development, and improve resilience to natural hazards by supporting tools like the New Zealand Flood Map, which offers detailed flood risk data. The investment seeks to unify planning systems across councils, boost economic growth, and deliver long-term benefits by creating accessible, reliable digital infrastructure for planning, consenting, and monitoring.
Tags: Chris Bishop Simon Watts Simon Court New Zealand RMA Reform Budget 2026 natural hazard risks planning reforms digital planning system Flood MapNew Zealand Boosts Health System Cyber Security with $153M Investment
3 weeks ago | 213 viewsNew Zealand is investing $153.6 million through Budget 2026 to significantly enhance cyber security across its health system, including 24/7 monitoring, specialist expertise, and critical IT upgrades, alongside an additional $300 million for digital modernization over three years. This initiative aims to protect sensitive patient data, improve resilience against cyber threats, and prevent service disruptions like those seen in recent incidents such as the Manage My Health breach. Health New Zealand will also implement stricter oversight of third-party vendors, annual audits, and AI-enabled tools to strengthen accountability and cyber security maturity, ensuring safer and more reliable healthcare services.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health New Zealand Cyber security Health system Patient information Budget 2026 Health Digital Investment Plan Primary care Manage My HealthNZ Minister Matt Doocey Leads HealthTech Delegation at Digital Health Festival 2026
1 month ago | 292 viewsMinister Matt Doocey will travel to Australia to attend the Digital Health Festival 2026 in Melbourne, leading a delegation of 26 New Zealand HealthTech companies, highlighting the sector's significant $3.9 billion contribution to the economy. This marks New Zealand's largest presence at the festival, reflecting strong industry growth and innovation in digital healthcare. Additionally, he will visit Mental Health Commissions in Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia to gather insights for an upcoming review of New Zealand's Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission.
Tags: Matt Doocey New Zealand Digital Health Festival HealthTech Mental Health Commissions Australia Queensland Victoria Western Australia Mental Health and Wellbeing CommissionNew Zealand Transport Legislation Modernised with Digital Services and Stronger Enforcement
1 month ago | 296 viewsNew Zealand has passed legislation modernizing its transport regulatory system by shifting from paper-based processes to digital service delivery, including digital driver licenses and electronic regulatory notices. The Bill strengthens enforcement in rail and maritime sectors, clarifies responsibilities, and introduces appropriate penalties while maintaining strong privacy and security safeguards. These reforms aim to improve system efficiency, reduce duplication, and complement recent updates to vehicle inspection rules, making the transport system simpler, easier to enforce, and more user-friendly.
Tags: Chris Bishop James Meager New Zealand transport legislation digital driver licences New Zealand Transport Agency Privacy Act Warrant of Fitness maritime enforcement rail accident investigationsAnzac Stories: Interactive Digital History for Kiwi Kids to Explore Anzac Heroes
2 months ago | 378 viewsA new digital initiative called Anzac Stories has launched, offering children an engaging online experience to explore New Zealand’s Anzac histories through archival photographs, maps, timelines, and minigames. Created by Archives New Zealand and the National Library, the platform highlights diverse heroes from past conflicts and provides historically accurate information accessible from home or school. The project was developed with student input to ensure it appeals to young learners, encouraging families and educators to utilize this rich educational resource.
Tags: Anzac Stories Brooke van Velden Archives New Zealand National Library Anzac histories digital initiative Kiwi children Belmont School Adventure School New Zealand conflictsNew Zealand Boosts Support for Working Families Amid Rising Fuel Prices
3 months ago | 538 viewsA bill has passed in Parliament providing temporary financial support to about 157,000 low-to-middle income working families affected by rising fuel prices due to the Middle East conflict, including a $50 weekly boost in the in-work tax credit starting April 7. The legislation also revises tax rules, such as thin capitalisation, to attract more foreign investment, particularly for infrastructure projects, while introducing measures to support startups, employee share schemes, new migrants, and digital nomads. These changes aim to strengthen New Zealand’s economy by helping households, encouraging business growth, and making the country more attractive for work, investment, and family life.
Tags: Simon Watts New Zealand Taxation Bill Middle East conflict fuel prices working families thin capitalisation rules digital nomads startupsGovt.nz App Update: New Digital Wallet and Secure Messaging Features Coming Soon
3 months ago | 570 viewsThe Govt. nz app will soon offer new digital features, including a digital wallet for storing accredited credentials from government and private sectors, supported by the Government Credential Issuance Platform. Hospitality New Zealand is collaborating to introduce a digital Kiwi Access Card for age verification, enhancing convenience and security without physical cards. By July 2026, secure messaging will enable direct communication from government agencies, while app use remains voluntary alongside existing service channels.
Tags: Govt. nz app Judith Collins digital identity digital wallet Government Credential Issuance Platform Hospitality New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act Kiwi Access Card New Zealand government servicesNew Zealand Passes Bill to Digitise Secondary Legislation Access and Services
3 months ago | 561 viewsThe Legislation Amendment Bill, recently passed in Parliament, aims to improve access to secondary legislation by standardizing its publication across all agencies. It addresses current difficulties in finding regulations and other legal materials by creating a single, redeveloped New Zealand Legislation website as a one-stop access point. This digital modernization will help individuals and businesses better understand their legal obligations and reduce compliance costs.
Tags: Judith Collins New Zealand Legislation Amendment Bill secondary legislation government services Parliament digital government compliance New Zealand Legislation websiteNew Zealand Launches Digital Food Labelling Trial to Boost Consumer Choice
3 months ago | 475 viewsThe New Zealand Government is launching a 12-month digital labelling trial for approved retailers to reduce barriers to market entry and increase consumer choice, focusing on lower-risk, pre-packaged imported foods. The trial will exempt a small number of retailers from physical labelling requirements while ensuring all safety standards and regulatory oversight remain intact. This initiative aims to test innovative technology, maintain food safety, and inform future food labelling policies in collaboration with Food Standards Australia New Zealand.
Tags: Nicola Willis Andrew Hoggard New Zealand Food Act 2014 digital labelling Food Standards Australia New Zealand Economic Growth Minister Food Safety Minister Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code Expression of InterestGovernment Expands Digital Manufacturing Light Program to Boost NZ Manufacturers
4 months ago | 620 viewsThe New Zealand Government is expanding the University of Auckland’s Digital Manufacturing Light programme to help at least 180 small and medium-sized manufacturers in key regions adopt affordable digital technologies, boosting productivity and workforce skills. The programme provides tailored assessments, installation support, and training to integrate low-cost, off-the-shelf technologies without major capital investment, enabling manufacturers to modernize operations and gain real-time insights. This initiative aims to enhance competitiveness, drive innovation, and contribute significantly to the national economy, with potential GDP growth of $8.6 billion from faster digital adoption.
Tags: Chris Penk University of Auckland Auckland Council Xero New Zealand Institute of Economic Research Institute for Manufacturing University of Cambridge Digital Manufacturing Light Small Business and Manufacturing Minister New Zealand GovernmentNew Trans-Tasman Standards Agreement Boosts NZ Businesses and Innovation
4 months ago | 686 viewsStandards New Zealand and Standards Australia have signed a new agreement to align trans-Tasman standards, enhancing product quality, safety, and reducing costs for businesses and consumers. The agreement supports innovation and economic growth by adopting international standards in areas like AI, data management, and cybersecurity, while removing fees and red tape to boost competitiveness and digital trade. This collaboration, endorsed by both governments and industry stakeholders, strengthens New Zealand’s role in joint standards development and fosters a modern, efficient regulatory environment.
Tags: Scott Simpson Luxon Anthony Albanese Standards New Zealand Standards Australia Commerce and Consumer Affairs artificial intelligence cybersecurity digital tradeBiosecurity Levy Reduced by 30% for Incoming Air Passengers in New Zealand
4 months ago | 759 viewsThe biosecurity component of the Border Processing Levy for most arriving air passengers will decrease by 30 percent, from $16.92 to $12.03, as the costs of rebuilding border operations after COVID-19 have been paid off. The levy funds essential biosecurity services like x-ray screening and detector dogs, which protect New Zealand's economy and environment, particularly benefiting farmers and other primary industries. The government plans to use levy funds to modernize border biosecurity through investments in new technology, including a digital border program and enhanced passenger processing systems.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Biosecurity New Zealand Border Processing Levy biosecurity air travel New Zealand Traveller Declaration detector dogs digital border programmeHealth Minister Orders Review of ManageMyHealth Cybersecurity Breach in NZ
5 months ago | 948 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has commissioned the Ministry of Health to review the response to a ManageMyHealth cybersecurity breach involving patient information, aiming to assess causes, data protections, and recommend improvements. ManageMyHealth, a private patient portal used by some New Zealand general practices, holds sensitive medical data, prompting concerns about data security and the need for high protection standards. While the review will start by January 30, an Incident Management Team is actively coordinating the immediate response, with Health New Zealand confirming no impact on its systems and general practices continuing to operate.
Tags: Simeon Brown Ministry of Health ManageMyHealth Health New Zealand Government Chief Digital Officer National Cyber Security Centre General Practice New Zealand Incident Management Team Health Minister