Skills shortage the biggest threat to our tech ambitions

Skills shortage the biggest threat to our tech ambitions
The tech sector needs a focused argument to build a case for highly-skilled workers to be let into the country. (Image: Getty)
Peter Griffin
There’s more cash than ever on offer from angel and venture capital investors looking to back the next disruptive idea. But the growing difficulties tech companies face in finding skilled and experienced tech workers for digital transformation projects and to join startup teams could see momentum slow.The immediate problem is our border restrictions. Just 165,000 people entered the country in the year to March 31. Normally the figure is around 7 million.We’ve long relied on migrants to make up our shortfall in skilled tech workers a...

More Opinion

The reasonable terms of the methane debate
Opinion

Adrian Macey and Dave Frame: The reasonable terms of the methane debate

Promoting methane reduction policies that would make the world warmer make no sense.

Hopium is not a strategy
Opinion

Dileepa Fonseka: Hopium is not a strategy

Unjustified optimism is everywhere, and it’s not helping.

Your mid-year investment health check
Markets

Simon Robertson: Your mid-year investment health check

What should you really be looking for from your fundie? 

Simon Robertson 05 Jul 2025
Cleantech: Burst bubble or our biggest opportunity?
Opinion

Peter Griffin: Cleantech: Burst bubble or our biggest opportunity?

A thriving cleantech sector could be NZ’s ticket to a sustainable, high-value economy.

Peter Griffin 02 Jul 2025