The Draft Digital Strategy 2.0 is about taking the next step into New Zealand's digital future. To achieve our digital potential as a nation, we need to think differently and collectively about the kinds of outcomes possible from our use of digital technology, and agree on priorities that will bring the right conditions for businesses, communities and individuals to realise the benefits from the use of technology. The Draft Digital Strategy 2.0 is about taking the next step into New Zealand's digital future. To achieve our digital potential as a nation, we need to think differently and collectively about the kinds of outcomes possible from our use of digital technology, and agree on priorities that will bring the right conditions for businesses, communities and individuals to realise the benefits from the use of technology.The vision:

The vision for New Zealand's digital future is for:

"New Zealand to be a world leader in using information and technology to realise its economic, social, environmental and cultural goals, to the benefit of all New Zealanders".

The enablers:

In 2005, three critical enablers of New Zealand's digital future were identified - connection, confidence and content. While good progress has been made under each digital enabler, they remain equally relevant today, albeit with a shift in focus and priority for the future. Chapters 3-5 identify the following goals and priority action areas for the digital enablers going forward:

The connection goal is for "the widespread availability of fast and affordable broadband meeting the needs of New Zealanders".

The priority action areas to achieve the connection goal are:
- promoting a robust and competitive telecommunications market; and
- facilitating the deployment of high-speed broadband infrastructure.

The confidence enabler goal is for "digitally capable and confident New Zealanders transforming our economy, strengthening our national identity and enhancing sustainability."

The priority action areas to achieve the confidence goal are:
 equipping managers with the skills needed to engage with and use ICT to increase productivity and innovation;
 reducing shortages of skilled practitioners;
 developing digital literacy and confidence in the workforce and our communities; and
 ensuring internet and telecommunications security that is consistent with promoting New Zealanders' social and economic wellbeing and maintaining an effective network infrastructure.

The content enabler goal is for "New Zealanders to be worldclass at creating, discovering and using digital content to create value, improve lives and communities, and enable sustainable development."

The priority action areas to achieve the content goal are:
 improving the creation, discovery and use of New Zealand-grown content;
 accelerating the growth of digital businesses with competitive advantage;
 increasing the use of worldclass productivity tools; and
 using our knowledge and research to stimulate innovation.

Chapter 6 introduces a new fourth enabler of the digital strategy - collaboration. For New Zealand to reach its digital potential Maori, communities, business, the ICT sector, local and central government, and researchers and academia need to be better connected and their interests better aligned on digital matters.

The outcomes:

Chapter 7 sets out three key outcomes that can be achieved by being digital and by New Zealand collectively working together to achieve our digital potential. But for New Zealand to achieve its digital potential everyone must get involved. This chapter is a call to action and seeks input on how all sectors can contribute to the outcomes:
-Productivity - achieving a creative, knowledge-based, high-income economy by using technology to work smarter and get more from our resources.
-Community - enriching and valuing New Zealand communities and cultures, and promoting our unique national identity, so that the needs, aspirations and wellbeing of all New Zealander communities are supported and enhanced.
-Sustainability - using advanced technology to reduce energy, carbon and pollution impacts and to achieve sustainable growth as a nation.

QnA: Draft Digital Strategy 2.0

Have your say on the NZ Digital Strategy

15/04/08