It is likely that technology will provide the silver
bullet that New Zealand needs to manage covid-19, NZTech
chief executive Graeme Muller says.

The resurgent
outbreak of covid in the community has served as a reminder
that Kiwis will be having to manage the impacts of this
disease for some time.

“Whether it is faster contact
tracing, easier tests or even a vaccination, it is likely
that technology and biotechnology, both strengths of New
Zealand, will provide the solutions needed to allow the
economy to continue operating while the pandemic
continues,” Muller says.

“While tightening up our
borders and increased testing will help to limit the chance
of future outbreaks, fast and accurate contact tracing is
the key tool for getting ahead of the virus when a new
cluster emerges in the community.

“The
initial uptake of the government’s covid tracing app was
extremely low and very few businesses were displaying the QR
code. But the recent Auckland outbreak has seen the use of
the app dramatically increase as we all now understand the
value in collecting this information to protect ourselves
and the communities we live in.

“It’s
likely that the need for contact tracing and even health
passports will become commonplace over the next several
years as we continue to deal with covid and plan for future
pandemics.

“While the use of a manual app may
respond to an immediate need, it is essential that more
automation is deployed if we really want to reduce the risk
of future spread.

“A simple starting point for more
automation has to be the introduction of the option for
Bluetooth enabled contact tracing.

“Apple and Google
have joined forces to create a standard that has allowed
them to put Bluetooth contact tracing on almost every phone
in the world, free of charge, in people’s next phone
update.

“The Ministry of Health has indicated that
they are considering this technology and potentially
connecting it to the NZ covid tracer app to further enhance
contact tracing.

“Hopefully, our government will be
looking to integrate this global operating system-based
solution into covid tracking in New Zealand. There is so
much public interest in this. I’m surprised the government
has not published a roadmap for the planned evolution for
their covid tracking app.

“The other technology
where New Zealand has a strength is biotechnology and we are
already seeing New Zealand scientists developing possible
solutions such as the recently announced work by ESR on
simple, fast saliva tests.

“The government has
invested $10 million in supporting local vaccine research
with New Zealand’s leading universities and biotechnology
research institutes coming together in a national Vaccine
Alliance to collaborate on the assessment, development and
production of vaccines for covid and future
pandemics.

The New Zealand technology sector continues
to thrive and support the New Zealand economy during the
global pandemic. Software companies are still able to
operate and export, high tech manufacturers like Fisher
& Paykel Healthcare are producing critical hi-tech
products for the world and the biotech sector is designing
future solutions.

Unofficially, the tech sector is no
doubt now New Zealand’s second largest export industry,
employing over 100,000 Kiwis and thousands of other people
around the
world.

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