National will double the size of New Zealand’s
technology sector by 2030 with a $1.29 billion plan that
will aim to create at least 100,000 new high-paying,
future-proofed tech jobs.

“Doubling the size of the
technology sector by 2030 is an ambitious goal, but one that
I am serious about achieving,” National Party Leader
Judith Collins says.

“We’re sending a strong
message to New Zealand’s best and brightest minds, both
here and overseas, that technology and innovation will be
championed by a National Government.”

National’s
NZ Tech 2030 Plan includes:

· Establishing a Minister
for Technology

· Offering 1000 tertiary scholarships
per year targeted at students from low decile schools to
undertake science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM)
degrees

· Establishing a STEM-focused partnership
school and restoring funding for specialist ICT graduate
schools.

· Introducing a fast-track technology skills
visa

· Investing $1 billion in technology
infrastructure upgrades with the aim of achieving 100 Mbps
uncapped internet speeds for everyone using Ultra-Fast
Broadband.

· Establishing three targeted investment
funds for tech start-ups worth $200 million each, with the
cost split evenly between Government and the private
sector.

· Developing the world’s most tech-friendly
regulation

With about 50,000 Kiwis returning home
because of the Covid-19 pandemic, now is the time to harness
their talent and create an ecosystem of technology companies
in New Zealand.

“We must seize this opportunity to
drive a step change in our technology sector,” Ms Collins
says.

“National will give Kiwis with world-class
skills and experience the chance to flourish right here and
help grow our economy, rather than hit them with higher
taxes like Labour will.”

New Zealand’s technology
exports now total $8 billion per annum – equal to our
forestry and seafood exports combined. National’s NZ Tech
2030 Plan will be geared towards increasing this to $16
billion by 2030, establishing thousands of new tech
businesses in the process.

“Our tech sector has
amazing potential,” Ms Collins says. “If we attract the
right talent and create an environment for growth, it could
be bigger than our dairy sector in 10 to 15
years.”

Ms Collins announced National’s plan in
Auckland today during a visit to Buckley Systems Limited, a
Kiwi company that is the world’s leading supplier of
precision electromagnets. Founder Bill Buckley was recently
named New Zealand Innovator of the Year for his work in
developing a Boron-Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) device for
the treatment of cancer.

“Bill is a prime example of
a Kiwi innovator with exceptional talent who is doing
amazing things on the world stage. We need to nurture more
like him,” Ms Collins says.

“New Zealand needs to
grow its way out of this economic crisis, which will only be
possible with the hard work, ingenuity and determination of
the private sector.

“National’s NZ Tech 2030 Plan
will diversify our exports, level-up our economic
productivity, and generate thousands of high-paying,
future-proofed jobs for New
Zealanders.”

National’s NZ Tech 2030 Plan is
expected to cost $690 million over its first four years.
Infrastructure upgrades over the following six years are
expected to cost another $600m, bringing the total cost to
$1.29
billion.

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