Farewell to NZRise: Reflecting on a legacy and the need for Government Advocacy
After more than a decade of championing New Zealand-owned digital technology businesses, NZRise is wrapping up its journey. Founded with a mission to level the playing field for Kiwi owned tech firms, NZRise has been a tireless advocate for our industry, working to ensure that local companies have a fair chance to compete, innovate, and thrive. This post is a reflection on what NZRise has achieved, why it’s winding up now, and the continued importance of advocacy for the future of NZ-owned digital tech.
Personally, I have many fond memories from my time as co-Chair of NZRise, working alongside some of Aotearoa’s brightest minds and most successful business owners. But I also bear scars from the gaslighting tactics used by NZ government agencies over the years. When I stepped down as co-Chair, I felt an immense relief at no longer having to fight against a government procurement system stacked unfairly against us or banging my head against the impenetrable brick wall of bureaucracy designed to ensure multinationals have a voice while NZ companies do not.
NZRise: A tiny organisation with huge impact
Since 2012, NZRise has made significant strides in addressing the unique challenges faced by New Zealand-owned tech businesses. Here are some of the key milestones we’re proud to leave as our legacy:
Government Procurement Wins: We championed fairer procurement practices, advocating for a system that values NZ-owned tech solutions. Our work helped reduce the use of closed tenders, shining a spotlight on inconsistencies and a lack of transparency in government procurement processes. We also highlighted the dismal use of the Government Electronic Tender Service (GETS) for digital contracts, pushing for more open access to these opportunities. With wins like the inclusion of boarder outcomes incorporated into the Government Rules of Sourcing we know our advocacy made a difference.
Annual Procurement Event: This unique annual event would bring together government and private sector leaders each year, provided a vital platform for dialogue, transparency, and collaboration on procurement practices. A pretty unique point of positive interaction.
Shaping the DIA Marketplace: Our input over an 8 year period of sustained lobbying ensured that the DIA’s Marketplace was developed to be more equitable and transparent, providing a space where NZ-owned businesses could compete on fairer terms.
Advocacy on Trade, Copyright, and R&D: We also lobbied on key policy areas affecting digital tech, influencing trade agreement considerations for tech, advocating for copyright law adjustments, and driving the refactoring of the RDTI (Research and Development Tax Incentive) to better accommodate the unique scale of digital tech investments.
Timely Payments and Politician Information Events: By advocating for timely payments, we helped ensure that government agencies meet their obligations to suppliers and started paying on time! We also organised regular events to educate politicians on digital issues, helping bridge understanding between the tech sector and policymakers.
Supporting the Sector Through COVID-19: During the pandemic, we organised a support network for our members, providing a lifeline of information, resources, and community support during uncertain times.
Digital Skills and Talent Initiatives: Our work extended to addressing the digital skills gap, including chairing the Digital Skills Forum, supporting talent development, and developing to a Diversity Charter to foster inclusivity in the sector.
Open Government and the D5 Charter: As part of our commitment to transparency, we promoted open government practices and contributed to shaping the D5 Charter, which aimed to make government processes more open and digitally inclusive.
The list goes on and on but these are the highlights that spring to mind. As a tiny organisation of volunteer business folks we packed a punch.
Why is NZRise winding up now?
Despite these achievements, keeping momentum has grown increasingly difficult. Like many volunteer-led organizations, we’ve faced declining engagement—a challenge impacting not just NZRise but many other not-for-profits. The current government has shown little interest in addressing issues critical to NZ-owned digital businesses, while multinationals gain increasingly easier access to agencies and politicians alike. This stark contrast is hard to reconcile: digital technology is touted as a key export sector, yet our government continues to prioritise large offshore companies over buying from or listening to local businesses. Finally, recent changes to the Incorporated Societies Act add compliance requirements that, without dedicated resources, are difficult to meet.
It is with a sense of accomplishment but also with some frustration that we acknowledge these realities and take this as our cue to step back. However, while NZRise may be concluding, the need for our work has not diminished.
Why NZ-Owned matters
In an increasingly globalised market, NZ-owned digital tech businesses play a critical role in supporting New Zealand’s digital sovereignty, creating local jobs, and fostering innovation that speaks to Aotearoa’s unique needs. Yet, these companies face barriers that larger multinationals do not—whether it’s gaining access to government contracts, securing fair procurement practices, or navigating policies that often overlook the contributions of local firms.
Advocacy for NZ-owned digital businesses remains vital to ensure a level playing field. Without a strong voice to keep government and multinationals accountable, we risk undervaluing the homegrown innovation that sustains our tech ecosystem and aligns with our values of transparency, sustainability, and community resilience.
A thriving locally owned tech sector isn’t just beneficial for the economy—it’s essential for maintaining a secure, resilient digital infrastructure that serves New Zealanders’ best interests.
Advocating for local tech companies ensures that our digital landscape isn’t merely a space for foreign players but a dynamic sector where Kiwi innovation flourishes. Local businesses are well-positioned to understand our unique challenges and provide solutions that contribute meaningfully to Aotearoa’s progress.
As we wrap up NZRise, we do so with the hope that others will take up the mantle. We need collective, consistent messaging to ensure our voices are heard and our priorities clear. Fragmented advocacy dilutes our message and makes it harder to hold decision-makers accountable. Now, more than ever, we need to align our voices—much like the memorable “Girls Can Do Anything” campaign, which unified messaging to create a powerful impact. For the digital tech industry, a unified voice can drive meaningful change, keep the government accountable, and secure a future where local innovation thrives.
Ngā mihi Aroha
To everyone who has supported NZRise, thank you for your passion, commitment, and contributions. To the tireless volunteers who have served on the NZRise board, run events, spoken on panels, bravely stood up and faced these challenges head on - thank you. To those supporters inside the halls of government who cheered from the sidelines, facilitated opening of doors and championed our causes - for your bravery, we thank you.
As we close this chapter, we remain optimistic that the values and goals we championed will live on in the efforts of others. Advocacy for NZ-owned digital tech is too important to fade, and we trust that, with a shared vision and unified voice, the future remains bright for New Zealand’s digital technology sector.
From Left - Don Christie, Paul Ramsay and Miki Szikszai at a tripartite future of work event representing NZRise.
