{
  "dataset": "New Zealand Digital Policy and Talent — Selected Indicators",
  "publisher": "Digital.nz Intelligence",
  "updated": "2026-08-24",
  "scope": "Selected public indicators and policy settings relevant to digital and AI operations in New Zealand. This is strategic market intelligence, not legal or immigration advice.",
  "summary": {
    "policy_settings_tracked": 7,
    "talent_pathways_tracked": 3,
    "digital_technologies_employees_baseline": 43750,
    "ai_expertise_barrier_percent": 43
  },
  "policy_items": [
    {"item":"New Zealand's Strategy for Artificial Intelligence: Investing with confidence","status":"published","published":"2025-07","approach":"private-sector adoption and application, aligned with OECD AI Principles","source":"https://www.mbie.govt.nz/business-and-employment/economic-growth/digital-policy/new-zealands-ai-strategy-investing-with-confidence"},
    {"item":"Responsible AI Guidance for Business","status":"voluntary guidance","published":"2025-07","note":"Practical guidance; applicable laws continue to apply","source":"https://www.mbie.govt.nz/about/news/artificial-intelligence-strategy-and-business-guidance-now-available"},
    {"item":"Public Service AI Framework","status":"government framework","last_updated":"2025-01-29","principles":["human-centred values","transparency and explainability","safety and security","accountability","inclusive access"],"source":"https://www.digital.govt.nz/standards-and-guidance/technology-and-architecture/artificial-intelligence/public-service-artificial-intelligence-framework"},
    {"item":"Privacy Act 2020 and Information Privacy Principles","status":"applicable law","note":"The Privacy Commissioner states that the Privacy Act and IPPs apply to every stage of building and using AI with personal information and recommends a Privacy Impact Assessment before use","source":"https://www.privacy.org.nz/resources-and-learning/a-z-topics/ai/"},
    {"item":"Information Privacy Principle 3A","status":"in force","effective":"2026-05-01","note":"An agency collecting personal information indirectly must take reasonable steps to notify the individual unless an exception applies. The obligation sits with the indirect collector.","source":"https://www.privacy.org.nz/resources-and-learning/a-z-topics/ipp3a/"},
    {"item":"Biometric Processing Privacy Code","status":"in force","effective":"2025-11-03","existing_user_transition_deadline":"2026-08-03","note":"Specific privacy rules for automated processing of biometric information; has force of law under the Privacy Act. The code was amended to reflect IPP3A from 1 May 2026.","source":"https://www.privacy.org.nz/privacy-principles/codes-of-practice/biometric-processing-privacy-code/"},
    {"item":"Customer and Product Data Act 2025 — regulated open banking","status":"in force and staged","effective":"2025-12-01","note":"The Act creates a Consumer Data Right framework. Banking was the first designated sector; ASB, ANZ, BNZ and Westpac were designated from 1 December 2025, with Kiwibank obligations staged during 2026.","source":"https://www.mbie.govt.nz/business-and-employment/business/consumer-data-right/consumer-data-right-policy-design/open-banking"}
  ],
  "talent_and_adoption_indicators": [
    {"indicator":"Digital technologies sector employees","value":43750,"unit":"people","period":"2022","note":"MBIE sector baseline; majority in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch","source":"https://www.mbie.govt.nz/business-and-employment/economic-growth/digital-policy/digital-technologies-industry-transformation-plan-2/sector-overview"},
    {"indicator":"Non-users citing lack of AI expertise as main adoption barrier","value":43,"unit":"percent","period":"2024 survey cited by New Zealand AI Strategy","source":"https://www.mbie.govt.nz/business-and-employment/economic-growth/digital-policy/new-zealands-ai-strategy-investing-with-confidence/addressing-barriers-to-ai-uptake-in-new-zealand"},
    {"indicator":"SMEs with no plans to evaluate or invest in AI","value":68,"unit":"percent","period":"2024 survey cited by New Zealand AI Strategy","source":"https://www.mbie.govt.nz/business-and-employment/economic-growth/digital-policy/new-zealands-ai-strategy-investing-with-confidence/new-zealands-state-of-play"},
    {"indicator":"Annual government science, innovation and technology funding","value":1200000000,"unit":"NZD per year","period":"AI Strategy baseline","source":"https://www.mbie.govt.nz/business-and-employment/economic-growth/digital-policy/new-zealands-ai-strategy-investing-with-confidence/leveraging-new-zealands-science-innovation-and-technology-system"},
    {"indicator":"Estimated spend of approved AI-related R&D Tax Incentive projects","value":611000000,"unit":"NZD","period":"since 2019","note":"Approved-project spend, not the value of tax credits or market revenue","source":"https://www.mbie.govt.nz/business-and-employment/economic-growth/digital-policy/new-zealands-ai-strategy-investing-with-confidence/leveraging-new-zealands-science-innovation-and-technology-system"}
  ],
  "selected_talent_pathway": {
    "pathway":"Green List — Straight to Residence for selected ICT occupations",
    "appendix_effective":"2026-03-09",
    "selected_occupation_examples":["ICT Project Manager","Analyst Programmer","Developer Programmer","Software Engineer","Software Tester","ICT Security Specialist","Database Administrator","Systems Administrator"],
    "stated_employee_remuneration_threshold":70,
    "unit":"NZD per hour",
    "annual_equivalent":145600,
    "note":"This threshold and pathway apply only where all current occupation, employment, qualification and other residence requirements are met. Contract-for-services cases have different requirements. Verify live rules with Immigration New Zealand.",
    "source":"https://www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual/89117.htm"
  },
  "talent_pathways": [
    {
      "pathway":"Green List — Straight to Residence Visa",
      "purpose":"Residence pathway for a person aged 55 or younger with a qualifying Tier 1 Green List job or offer from an accredited employer.",
      "digital_relevance":"Selected senior ICT occupations are listed, subject to occupation-specific pay, qualification, employment and other requirements.",
      "selected_ict_threshold":"NZD 70 per hour for selected listed ICT occupations in the appendix effective 9 March 2026",
      "status":"open",
      "source":"https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/straight-to-residence-visa/"
    },
    {
      "pathway":"Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa",
      "purpose":"Main points-based skilled residence pathway for qualifying people with a skilled job or offer from an accredited employer.",
      "core_rule":"Six skilled resident points are required. Points can come from one skill category — occupational registration, qualification or income — plus eligible New Zealand skilled work experience where required.",
      "effective_update":"Changes to the points-based pathway and two additional pathways take effect from 24 August 2026.",
      "status":"current rules changed 2026-08-24",
      "source":"https://www.immigration.govt.nz/live/resident-visas-to-live-in-new-zealand/skilled-residence-pathways-in-new-zealand/skilled-migrant-category-pathway-to-residence/"
    },
    {
      "pathway":"Accredited Employer Work Visa",
      "purpose":"Employer-specific temporary work route for a qualifying role with an accredited employer that has an approved job check.",
      "digital_relevance":"Can support international recruitment where local hiring cannot meet a project need, but it is not itself a guaranteed residence pathway.",
      "operator_note":"Employer accreditation, job-check, occupation, pay, skills, English-language and maximum-stay settings must be checked for the exact role.",
      "status":"open",
      "source":"https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/accredited-employer-work-visa/"
    }
  ],
  "operator_readiness_tests": [
    "Map all applicable privacy, consumer, employment, intellectual-property, biometric and sector rules",
    "Document data origin, access, residency, retention, reuse and model-training terms",
    "Assign accountable owners, human oversight and incident-response responsibilities",
    "Build a role-by-role local hiring, training, contracting and immigration plan",
    "Measure benefits against a defined baseline before scaling",
    "Engage affected customers, workers and communities, including Māori where relevant"
  ],
  "disclaimer":"Policy, funding, occupation lists and immigration thresholds can change. Verify all current requirements and obtain appropriate legal, immigration, employment, privacy and technical advice before acting."
}