Call for urgent government action on digital strategy
Tuanz wants stronger digital leadership
In its Digital Priorities 2025 report, the Technology Users Association of New Zealand (Tuanz) calls on government to take stronger, more coordinated action.
Tuanz CEO Craig Young says: “We are at a critical juncture where we must address escalating cybersecurity threats, bridge the widening tech talent gap and ensure digital inclusion for all New Zealanders.”
The report is based on interviews with more than 30 senior digital leaders. It warns New Zealand is at risk of falling behind internationally in digital adoption and innovation.
It notes that while the tech sector remains the country’s second-largest exporter, infrastructure, connectivity and skills development are not keeping pace with demand.
Six pressing issues
Tuanz identifies six top concerns: escalating cybersecurity risks, the ongoing tech talent shortage, digital inclusion, slow technology adoption, poor data governance and the real-world integration of generative AI. Leaders rated New Zealand just six out of ten for its adoption of new technologies.
Cybersecurity topped the list. The report notes increasing incidents linked to state-sponsored actors and a lack of legislation beyond the Privacy Act.
Tuanz calls for a “security by design” approach and greater public-private collaboration to counter the threat landscape, which is being reshaped by AI-driven attacks and quantum computing risks.
Skills gap growing
New Zealand’s tech talent shortage remains a major constraint. The lack of skilled workers is worsened by competition from overseas markets. There’s also a lack of targeted domestic investment in digital skills and education.
Tuanz recommends renewed focus on STEM education and public-private training partnerships to future-proof the workforce.
Digital inclusion remains patchy, especially in rural areas and among underrepresented groups. The report highlights affordability and digital literacy. It calls for meaningful integration of te ao Māori as critical to bridging the divide.
A leadership vacuum
Tuanz also points to a perceived leadership vacuum. Many respondents said they could not identify any significant digital initiatives from government in the past year. The association urges the development of a long-term, bipartisan digital strategy backed by consistent investment and collaboration.
Liz Gosling, who works as chief technology officer at AUT is also the co-chair of Tuanz’ TechLeaders says: “Our collective ambition is for Aotearoa New Zealand to be a world-leading, trusted and successful digital nation.
“To achieve this, we must address the issues raised in this report with urgency. We need to bridge the digital divide, invest in our people, and foster a culture of innovation.”
Comment: Government
New Zealand’s current government is less engaged with technology than its predecessors. The sector is an afterthought, with key portfolios buried deep.
This is a recent shift and not a partisan issue. Our world-class fibre network and competitive telecoms market were built through bipartisan focus, with both Steven Joyce and David Cunliffe laying the groundwork.
That same energy is needed now. A dedicated ministry combining technology, communications and space would be a strong start.
Telecommunications to face regulatory review
This happened while The Download Weekly was taking an Easter-Anzac Day break.
Government is to review telecommunications regulation. It wants to make sure the sector remains competitive, innovative and fit for purpose.
David Seymour, minister for Regulation and Paul Goldsmith, communications minister launched the review.
Seymour says telecommunications is now as vital as electricity and water, with 7.22 million active connections across New Zealand. “When regulation falls behind, innovation slows and costs rise, In a high-cost economy like ours, regulation isn’t neutral—it’s a tax on growth.”
The Ministry for Regulation will work with MBIE, industry, consumer groups and regulators to shape terms of reference, which will go to Cabinet.
Goldsmith said the sector contributes around 2.5 per cent of GDP and underpins everything from digital healthcare to remote education. He says: “We want to make sure the regulatory settings support competition, innovation, and economic growth.”
The review excludes the Telecommunications Development Levy, radio spectrum legislation, interception capability laws and fibre company structural rules.
The Ministers say concerns raised by the sector prompted the review. Terms of reference are expected to be confirmed later this year.
RFUANZ backs gradual licence fee rise
The Radio Frequency Users Association of New Zealand (RFUANZ) backs a gradual increase in annual radio spectrum licence fees.
It says it supports a fair and predictable system that does not discourage innovation or penalise network upgrades.
In its submission on the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s review of radio licence fees, RFUANZ said it preferred Option One — a phased fee increase — over Option Two, which would impose higher costs on new and modified licences but maintain current rates for renewals.
Plan ahead
“Option One allows operators to plan ahead and supports innovation and flexibility,” says RFUANZ chairman Soren Low in the submission. He says sudden, steep costs are harder for members to absorb, particularly rural and smaller operators already under financial pressure.
The association represents a wide range of users including private networks, rural providers and public safety agencies. Many of its members plan to reduce underused licences and update others over the next five years.
RFUANZ warned that Option Two could stunt industry growth and discourage licence maintenance, risking enforcement action.
It supports sustainable cost recovery for the regulator, but urged a balanced approach to ensure a fair and efficient spectrum environment. It has offered to work with officials on future consultations.
New laws to target foreign interference in space sector
Space Minister Judith Collins says New Zealand will introduce legislation in July aimed at preventing foreign interference in ground-based space infrastructure.
The new regulatory regime will cover facilities that track and control spacecraft, conduct space surveillance and transfer satellite data. It follows several attempts over the past five years by foreign actors to deceptively set up or use such infrastructure in New Zealand, sometimes hiding links to foreign militaries.
Collins says earlier non-regulatory measures, which relied on operator goodwill, are no longer enough.
“This sends a very clear message that we take our national security seriously, and we will act if we suspect that it is under threat,” she said.
Two-phase rollout
The new regime begins in July with enforcement powers. Later this year, detailed registration and security requirements will follow, with a transition period ending March 2026.
The law will apply to all existing and new operators of in-scope infrastructure. Breaches could lead to fines of up to $250,000 for entities, or jail time for individuals.
Consumer satellite products, like satellite phones or internet dishes, are not included. MBIE, the ministry of business, innovation and employment, will regulate the regime, under the Outer Space and High Altitude Activities Amendment Bill.
Amazon’s Kuiper satellites lift off
Amazon launched the first 27 satellites in its LEO broadband network on Easter Monday.
The company is behind the schedule it promised when it first announced Project Kuiper in 2019.
The plan is for a total of 3,236 Kuiper satellites which will become a rival to SpaceX’s Starlink network beaming broadband and other telecom services from a low Earth orbit.
The US Federal Communications Commission requires Amazon to launch half the network—1,618 satellites—by mid-2026. That deadline now looks ambitious. Amazon may seek an extension.
Service could begin by year-end
Amazon told the FCC in a filing that it could offer limited broadband coverage with as few as 578 satellites, potentially by the end of 2025. Initial service would reach northern and southern regions, expanding to the equator as more satellites launch.
While Starlink currently enjoys first-mover advantage, Kuiper’s entry should boost competition. Amazon’s strengths in cloud computing could give it an edge with enterprise and government customers. While its strength in consumer retail can’t be overlooked.
One NZ hits 1 million satellite texts
Over the extended Easter-Anzac Day break a One New Zealand customer sent the millionth text message using the company’s Satellite TXT service.
Spark confirms data centre sale intention
Following a report in the Australian Financial Review: New Zealand’s biggest telco Spark launches data centre sale (paywall), Spark released a short note to the NZX on Thursday confirming that it is looking for partners to take a stake in its data centre business. This was originally flagged in the company's half year trading update in February. The NZX note says no transaction has been agreed to date.
2degrees finds we’re overwhelmed by notifications
Half of all New Zealanders who were asked told a survey commissioned by 2degrees that they feel overwhelmed by notifications.
This is not a new problem. Phone notifications have been troublesome for a generation now. Frustrations about computer notifications go back to the dawn of the internet.
I wrote a story for the Sydney Morning Herald about too many notifications in 1998. And another I wrote in 2005 about people being overwhelmed by notifications on their computers. Neither story is still online.
Since those days the number of notifications we get today has increased.
Huge mental load
As 2degrees’ press release says, that means there’s a huge mental load that is taking a toll on our productivity, relationships and wellbeing.
The data:
2degrees survey found
• %0 percent say they receive too many notifications.
• 37 percent say they feel overwhelmed, panicked or anxious
• 30 struggle to concentrate because of notifications
2degrees suggests users take control of their settings—but it needs to get its own house in order first. The company sends monthly text alerts confirming bill payments, with no opt-out option.
So, well done, 2degrees for reminding us to take more control, but not being part of the problem would be better.
I talked about this on RNZ Nine to Noon last week with Kathryn Ryan. We also talked about US attempts to rein-in Google’s monopoly on online advertising and how smart TV makers aim to sell more ads by tapping into your emotions.
In other news...
One NZ’s Satellite TXT used to hail emergency services after crash in mobile blackspot
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in an area not covered by ground-based mobile networks.
Police trial data extraction tech aimed at wearable devices
RNZ’s Phil Pennington says “Police are trialling a new high-tech tool designed to extract data from people's wearable devices, such as smartwatches”.
Chinese compliance concerns kill Rakon deal
There’s no byline on the Businessdesk story about the failed
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What to do if your phone is lost or stolen: practical steps to restore peace of mind
This advice from Samuel Gibbs at The Guardian is worth bookmarking in case you ever find yourself in this situation.
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