My View: Introducing a Digital Strategy for Aotearoa

VIEW - Minister for digital economy and communications David Clark

We have a collective interest in Aotearoa New Zealand reaching its full potential in the digital age. The Digital Strategy for Aotearoa represents the Government’s commitment to achieving this.

The Strategy’s vision is that our people, communities, economy and environment are flourishing and prosperous in the digital era.

The Strategy provides us with a framework for how we want New Zealand’s digital future to look. It places trust and inclusion – Mahi Tika and Mahi Tahi – on an equal footing with Mahi Ake- Growth.

It recognises that digital technologies can bring about challenges. For example, how do we protect personal privacy, minimise digital exclusion, and maintain a competitive environment that generates innovation and sustainable growth.

But above all it recognises how digital technologies can help build a more resilient future.

This Strategy creates momentum for achieving higher value jobs, globally successful businesses that are sustainable, and exports that have a lower emissions footprint.

It aspires to integrate te ao Māori views on data as a key part of our digital and data system.

It seeks to secure New Zealand’s place as a world-leading, trusted, thriving digital nation.

Mahi Tika - Trust
So, let’s talk about trust – the first pillar of the Strategy.

Mahi Tika - Trust – is about doing what’s right.

People will only embrace the digital future if they trust and have confidence in how these technologies are created, used and governed.

Our goals for this pillar are that New Zealanders feel safe and empowered in online environments.

We want organisations to design and use digital technologies and data in fair, culturally appropriate, trustworthy ways.

It’s also crucial our digital and data infrastructures are fit-for-purpose and secure.

We cannot afford to get this wrong. That’s why we’ve set ambitious measures, including that the economic impacts of cyber-incidents in New Zealand are lower than in comparable nations.

And, it is why we’ve already got a suite of initiatives in train to boost trust, including additional support for the Algorithm Charter for New Zealand, and work to advance our Digital Identity Services Trust Framework.

Trust is not absolute and can change over time. To maintain trust with the public, we will need to work hard at maintaining it into the future.

Mahi Tahi - Inclusion
The second pillar of the Strategy is Mahi Tahi- Inclusion.

We need to make sure that everyone is empowered to participate in our digital society.

The digital world has a profound effect on daily life, and digital inclusion can open up new ways to live with independence and dignity.

New Zealanders should have the tools, skills and confidence to participate in an increasingly digital society.

Digital infrastructure, content and services also need to meet the diverse requirements of people.

We’re focused on seizing opportunities to improve motivation, access, skills and trust – four key elements that are crucial for digital inclusion.

Our significant investments in improving connectivity for rural and remote communities for instance, are putting us on a strong path to achieving one of our success measures - that all New Zealanders have access to high speed internet.

But we do recognise that not every part of our lives needs to be digital. Kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face) interactions are still vital for building relationships and sharing trusted information. We must make sure that those that cannot or will not use digital services have access to the services they need.

Mahi Ake- Growth
The third and final pillar of the Strategy is Mahi Ake- Growth.

This part of the Strategy docks into the Economic Strategy and Emissions Reduction Plan. There is mutual enforcement here.

Digital and data-driven technologies are handing us opportunities to innovate and boost productivity in all sectors of the economy.

Yes, there is a digital technologies sector, which contributed $7.4 billion to the New Zealand economy in 2020.

But all New Zealand businesses and organisations can build their digital capability and reap the rewards.

Our goals for this pillar are that our businesses and organisations innovate and increase productivity using digital technologies and data.

Nurturing our talent
The measures of success we’ve set for ourselves are stretch objectives. For instance, I want to see digital and ICT exports on track to becoming New Zealand’s leading export earner.

But we won’t do this without nurturing our talent.

Building a strong and diverse talent pipeline, including supporting Māori to pursue careers and business opportunities in the technology sector, will benefit all of us.

In this respect, our efforts to progress the Digital Technologies Industry Transformation Plan – or ITP for short– will be an important lever for advancing this part of the Strategy. The ITP includes a Digital Skills and Talent Plan that sets the path for scaling up and transforming the skills, training and education pathways we need for a flourishing digital tech industry.

And many of you know first-hand the great mahi being carried out under the Digital Boost programme to build the most digitally engaged small business sector in the world.

The future
I’m excited to see where we can go as a country with the adoption of digital solutions and technologies.

We should all be proud that New Zealand is known around the world as a country that does what it says it is going to do, and is looked upon as a trustworthy influence globally.

I believe that this Strategy will help ensure we continue down this path, to embrace digital technologies and to ensure they are working for us.

This Strategy is only the beginning of New Zealand’s bright digital future.

This is an edited version of Minister for digital economy and communications David Clark’s speech to launch the Digital Strategy for Aotearoa, New Zealand

If you want to contact eHealthNews.nz regarding this View, please contact the editor Rebecca McBeth.

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