INNOVATION
Digital Future
Shaping AI, before it shapes us.
The world is changing fast. Global exports of digital services have grown fourfold since 2008 and 84% of our knowledge workers use AI tools like ChatGPT weekly.
AI offers both opportunity and disruption. To make the most of it, we need a plan that protects our people, data and environment, while also enabling Kiwis to create and export home-grown tech.
Opportunity has a three-pillar plan to embrace technology, and manage its risks. We’ll ensure safety by supporting people through the AI transition, protecting our data and setting clear environmental guardrails for data centres. We’ll also back innovative Kiwis with a generational uplift in our R&D spending, and ensure the benefits of new technology stay right here in New Zealand.
Safety, innovation and local ownership - three pillars for a bright digital future
THREE PILLARS FOR A DIGITAL FUTURE
Pillar 1
Protect our people, data and environment
As AI expands, we need real guardrails to protect our workers, our privacy and our natural resources. Opportunity will:
- Support people through technology transitions with a Citizen’s Income.
- Increase cyber security funding, protect our democratic process from digital threats and review New Zealanders' rights in an AI world - including protection from algorithmic bias, copyright protections and Māori data sovereignty.
- Require every AI data centre to fund its own clean energy, pay its full grid connection costs and publicly report its energy and water use.
Pillar 2
Back Kiwi innovation and become a leader in technology export
AI should help New Zealanders create more value, stronger exports and more rewarding work. To supercharge local innovation in line with New Zealand’s values, Opportunity will:
- Lift total R&D investment to 2% of GDP and introduce a 25% tax credit to help small businesses adopt cutting-edge tools.
- Deliver a cross-party, national AI framework covering data rights, intellectual property and investment - shaped by the New Zealand public directly.
Pillar 3
Own and benefit from our digital future
To ensure that New Zealand benefits from global technology while rapidly building our own skills, Opportunity will:
- Require all critical data belonging to New Zealanders to be hosted here.
- Use government purchasing to benefit local New Zealand businesses, prioritise open-source solutions where possible, and build a public register of government technology projects - so good ideas can scale and mistakes aren't repeated.
- Build on AI adoption programmes in agriculture, health and social services, small business and exporting, and recognise Te Mana Raraunga's Māori Data Sovereignty Principles in public sector AI procurement.
The future is not a choice between technology and safety. We can, and must, do both.
