Chief technology role puts innovators front and centre
A small amount of co-ordination will help New Zealand make a massive impact, writes Rod Drury.
Over the Christmas and new year break I hope our leaders are thinking about what we need to do to step-change New Zealand’s place in the world during 2018.
What I’ve learnt this year is that the world is entering a new phase of tribalism, where past relationships may not be relied on and each country needs to look after itself.
We have also seen the increased globalism of technology with Uber, WhatsApp, Amazon, Alibaba and Netflix dominating their categories and disrupting local business.
Small countries that struggle for scale may be most affected by these global giants and we are seeing many small, niche retail stores fail if they haven’t shifted into a global market mindset.
More positively we also saw in
OPINION:
2017 that the successful rollout of ultra-fast broadband has created a new competitive advantage for New Zealand.
We have amazing business and residential internet that is actually useable for calls and video, compared with the frustrating experience in many parts of Australia, the United Kingdom and even most of the United States.
Another pleasing thing to see this month was the creation of the Government’s chief technology officer role.
It’s way past the point where New Zealand needs to create a national strategic plan for technology. We hope for early progress in the new year with an appointment made.
The private sector needs to get behind this key strategic role to ensure we, as a nation, get maximum benefit.
New Zealand technology companies invest hundreds of millions a year locally. Having some co-ordinated thinking allows us to invest while driving maximum benefit to the country.
A national chief technology officer can look through vested interests and set a vision that is good for New Zealand that we can all work towards.
The chief technology officer needs to look at the types of things we can actually do that can stepchange New Zealand and ensure we are a leading nation when it comes to digital innovation. Here are just a few ideas.
At Xero our job is provide education through our thousands of accounting and bookkeeping partners to arm our small businesses with the skills to be a part of the global economy.
Exporting is no longer just feet on the street forming relationships. Now it is about connecting your products and services to the established global marketplaces that already have a hungry consumer audience. 2020. It’s happening faster than anyone predicted. At the same time, autonomous driving technology is also moving forward quickly.
Our relatively simple system of government allows us to pitch ourselves as the right-hand drive, autonomous transport test lab. Especially Wellington.
This a pragmatic but strategic opportunity that could drive significant inward investment and thousands of jobs and new companies if we lead here.