Tech Exports Surge to $11.4b as Sector Powers NZ Economy

New Zealand’s technology sector cemented its place as the country’s third-largest export earner in 2024, with goods and services worth $11.4 billion heading offshore — behind only dairy and tourism (pages 11–12). Software exports continued their meteoric rise, growing at an average of 22 percent a year over the past decade.

These insights come from NZTech’s annual Tech Sector Key Metrics report, which aggregates official data from across government agencies and industry sources to provide a consolidated view of the sector’s performance. Each year, the report helps policymakers, business leaders, and educators understand the trends shaping Aotearoa’s digital economy.

Economic Weight and Workforce Shifts

The sector contributed $23.8 billion to GDP in 2024, up 5.5 percent on 2023, and now represents 8 percent of New Zealand’s economy (page 13). Despite this resilience, the sector experienced its first significant workforce contraction since the global financial crisis. Employment fell by 2,100 roles, leaving 119,520 people working in tech — 4.8 percent of the national workforce (page 8). Wellington was hardest hit, while Auckland remained the hub, employing more than half of all tech workers.

Skills Shortage Intensifies

The report highlights a sharp drop in international talent as domestic demand for tech talent decreased. Only 729 ICT visas were approved in 2024 — 67 percent fewer than in 2023 (page 14). This decline comes at a time when demand for digital expertise is rising globally, raising red flags for New Zealand’s competitiveness.

Investment and Education Signals

On the positive side, startups attracted $467 million across 146 deals, with software, clean tech and health tech driving activity (page 15). ICT companies also invested heavily in research and development, spending $1.15 billion — nearly 29 percent of all national business R&D (page 16).

Talent pipelines are beginning to respond: 13,240 Year 13 students enrolled in technology subjects in 2024, up 10 percent on the previous year (page 17). However, diversity challenges persist, with women making up just 27.5 percent of IT degree enrolments and Māori participation at 8 percent (page 19).

The latest NZTech Key Metrics report shows a sector that is still powering economic growth and exports, but also facing critical skills and diversity gaps. With coordinated action on talent, education, and inclusion, New Zealand’s tech ecosystem can continue to deliver prosperity and global impact.