NZ as a Tech Industry Safe Sanctuary and Long Term Innovation Hub
New Zealand continues to attract attention as an amazing place to visit and live, is largely COVID-19 totally free beyond quarantine, has leading broadband infrastructure and a tradition of being safe and friendly for migrants and business– so let’s invite the world’s leading innovation firms to develop development and operations hubs here.
Whilst we may not see an instant rush to our coasts, there is the chance to make a strategic decision now that assists New Zealand construct momentum that causes outcomes years into the future. While world media appears prepared to speak about New Zealand, let’s provide something to talk about that would assist us grow.
Bringing home our best and brightest Kiwis
A pat on the back to policy makers for making it safe and reasonably easy for Kiwis from around the world to get house– including numerous of our best and brightest exports.
I wholeheartedly concur there are benefits in Kiwi innovators from around the globe getting back– which easily is currently occurring. This has caused what is being identified the ‘reverse brain drain’. However we would be missing a trick if we believe they should not bring their colleagues and their employers with them.
I believe of Silver Peak Systems, a Kiwi established Silicon Valley business that simply sold for over NZ$ 1B. I ‘d like to see founders of innovative companies like Silver Peak running at least part of their global businesses locally– and for New Zealanders who work for other international employers, have them relocate to bases in New Zealand.
Aren’t Kiwis sufficient?
I can’t knock our amazing individuals who have built services such as Xero, Navman, RocketLab and PushPay– and more recent gamers such as Robotics software application company Rocos and digital human experts consisting of Soul Machines and Ambit. However, anyone who has actually hung around in Silicon Valley, or virtually any other major tech hotbed, will understand that typically those who create, innovate and build tech companies were born in nations different to where their business are based.
Definitely I believe trying to create a clone of Silicon Valley here in New Zealand is unhelpful, however there are numerous things we can find out from the successes of ingenious companies from the U.S. and around the world. And making those companies and their individuals welcome in New Zealand now might trigger something special that endures long term.
Why concentrate on the tech sector in your area now?
The most current Technology Investment Network report (TIN200) showed that the tech sector in New Zealand grew by $1.1 Billion in simply 12-months. If this acceleration continues then within just 3-5 years technology might end up being New Zealand’s leading export earner.
With the tourism sector struck so hard and other exports at risk from aspects such as ecological challenges and geopolitical unpredictability, now is the time to make strategic choices that will have an impact both in the brief term and for years to come (instead of those efforts that conveniently fit with the election cycle.
And let’s not forget, New Zealand and most of the world is in an economic downturn, so there’s wisdom in making moves that help move the balance back in our favour. Particularly those with the potential to create jobs not recently, but for the next generation of Kiwis too.
Why come to New Zealand?
For global tech and tech made it possible for innovators New Zealand has many great things on deal. These are a few of the important things that would attract well understood companies such as Microsoft, Apple, Google, Amazon, Tesla, Uber, Ola, Airbnb, HP, Samsung together with brand-new start-ups:
- A gorgeous country to live and work
- World class broadband facilities
- Individuals– Kiwis resemble far and wide and viewed as getting along and easy going, whilst likewise being known internationally as tough employees who typically provide innovative thinking
- Fairly priced in terms of rent, compliance expenses and incomes (some room for growth here)
- New Zealand has a tradition of being safe politically and financially
It ends up that New Zealand is an excellent location to both live and work. Whether in the unsure times of COVID-19 where many parts of the business world have the ability to operate with near no risk of infection– or in the future when the world has moved beyond the pandemic– this is a terrific country for companies, families and people due to it being roomy, uncrowned and packed with individuals who are known globally as being both friendly and hardworking.
Filmmakers have actually already discovered what a fantastic location New Zealand is to work. And various international business who acquired New Zealand businesses have actually identified the benefits of keeping groups in New Zealand continuous– consisting of Apple who acquired Power by Proxi in 2017. It’s appropriate to also discuss the very innovative U.S. headquartered and funded Wisk who have been evaluating a self-governing electrical air taxi in Canterbury.
What remains in it for New Zealand?
Right now our tech sector is comparatively little when compared to most other markets. New approaches that allow us to grow the tech sector using the substantial funding from Silicon Valley and international tech giants in a way that also helps our economy is deserving of consideration.
Longer term, New Zealand must increase our ‘weightless exports’– that includes producing more from technological and creative services and products. The possible earnings which can be produced by export physical things (made good. Meat, dairy and produce) is limited, typically sustains high transportation costs or has a considerable ecological impact.
We have actually formerly seen federal governments support the establishment and growth of the film market which grew from nothing to be a fundamental part of our economy in its own right due in part to the many international productions that have come here (following Peter Jackson’s ground breaking vision and achievements).
The broader technology sector is not one without struggles locally. I typically hear of the difficulties finding the right skills in your area. Whilst we can partly address that through study (which requires to continue as Kiwis needs to be long-lasting learners), there is absolutely nothing better than very first hand experience and therefore NZ needs to bring in more of those with market experience that may not exist in your area. And that’s where inviting the very best tech companies to make New Zealand a place where they establish innovation and operations bases enters play as it has the potential to develop the momentum we require.
Can’t we simply upskill our own individuals?
It’s an extremely vital part of New Zealand’s future that we upskill ourselves. Having a wider base of companies within the country will developing a rising tide in regards to the total tech skill in New Zealand which in turn will help our grow our own people– much of whom are starving to discover and would luxurious the chance to work for international innovators.
What next?
As such a small nation, just 1000-2000 brand-new arrivals could substantially affect the Kiwi tech sector. And if the momentum were to construct, then our country would be all the much better for it.
To get the ball rolling, we require to embrace this technique and support altering New Zealand’s future– providing something that would positivity effect not just our economy, but developing more jobs and finding out opportunities for Kiwis– all whilst investing into a location with endless prospective and with a strong environmental benefit (top tech gamers such as Microsoft and Apple are committed to being carbon neutral by 2030).
is Chief Executive and Futurist at , host of and , co-founder of and a keynote speaker.
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