Rules versus reality: Time to put NZ tech first

New Zealand’s tech future relies on changing the culture. (Image: Getty)

Wed, 17 Sep 2025

The Government recently served up fresh procurement guidelines, now expecting small and mid-sized contracts to default to Kiwi companies, part of a push by Nicola Willis to “increase jobs and incomes by shifting New Zealand to a faster growth track”.But the reality is that the new “economic benefit test” that has been introduced in the latest procurement rules will only deliver meaningful change if it’s matched by a dramatic culture reset within the public sector.The NZ Government spends around $51 billion annually...

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