What’s Missing in New Zealand for SME Digitalisation regarding Digital tools, regulations and SME support

A report has been recently publishing on the current landscape of digitalisation in New Zealand (see link to the report at the end of this article)

I share below a summary of that report highlighting the major concerns our country is facing with technology in general.

1. Lack of Coordinated National Strategy

• New Zealand does not have a comprehensive, coordinated digitalisation strategy for SMEs, unlike countries like Canada, Singapore, and Finland.

• There’s no formal body (e.g. UK’s Digital Adoption Taskforce) to align government, industry, and academia around SME digital uptake.

2. Weak Financial Incentives

• No tailored financial schemes are currently in place post-disestablishment of earlier programmes.

• New Zealand lacks meaningful grants or co-funding for SME digital adoption, in contrast to 80% subsidies in Singapore or €50,000 grants in Finland.

3. Inadequate Advisory and Support Infrastructure

• Limited digital advisory services are available; current support through Business.govt.nz is under-resourced.

• Unlike other countries with structured advisor networks (e.g. Denmark, Canada), New Zealand SMEs have little access to professional digital guidance.

4. Fragmented Skills Development

• Digital skills training is siloed and not embedded in national workforce development.

• There's no integrated system for upskilling SME staff or owners, unlike the embedded digital skills strategies in Finland and Singapore.

5. Gaps in Sector-Specific Initiatives

• While sectors like agritech and tourism are mentioned, New Zealand lacks targeted, operational digital programmes per sector, unlike the Netherlands (Smart Industry) or South Korea (Smart Factories).

6. Minimal Focus on Emerging Technologies and Governance

• There is no coordinated plan for AI, blockchain, or cybersecurity governance.

• NZ is behind in establishing regulatory standards and support systems for emerging digital technologies.

Conclusion

New Zealand risks falling behind other advanced economies unless it rapidly establishes an integrated SME digitalisation strategy. This should include robust funding, advisory networks, workforce training, sector targeting, and digital governance frameworks.

These insights must be seen as opportunities... it's time, let's go / Ka haere tātou New Zealand

Source: https://brandfolder.xero.com/NE531UQB/at/6x3m7x7ttzrnrqpxc94pt777/Going_digital_2025_Final_Report_1.pdf