Increasing productivity across the economy

Decision-makers in our businesses and organisations need to be aware of available solutions and think about how to use digital technology to increase productivity. This means both investing in technology and using it effectively. Under the Connected New Zealand initiative, led by the Digital Development Council, digital development teams and champions will work with small and medium enterprises – businesses and not-for-profit groups, including voluntary, community, cultural, health and education organisations – to create local-level plans for using broadband and digital technology to improve productivity.

Research is vital to keep New Zealand at the forefront of digital innovation – it generates knowledge and products for firms to take to the world. The Ministry of Research, Science and Technology has increased investment in high-technology platforms from 2008 onwards.

Research and development will leverage off industries where we already lead the world and which will remain the mainstay of our economy in the future, such as farming and food. There is huge potential for New Zealand to create innovative digital solutions to increase productivity, efficiency and environmental sustainability in these sectors – solutions that can be shared with and adapted by other sectors of our economy and sold internationally.

Sometimes, New Zealanders can create a new solution that exactly fits our circumstances.
But often we benefit by being fast followers, taking the best technologies and ideas from around the world and adapting them to our needs. This is much easier if our firms are digitally connected, as international solutions are just a mouse click away.

Case studies about digital business, e-research and using digital technologies to increase workplace productivity.