Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti has launched New Zealand’s first AI Strategy to boost productivity and grow a competitive economy.
The strategy is for the economy as a whole, and complements the work done by the Department of Internal Affairs, including the recent appointment of the AI Expert Advisory Panel by the Government Chief Digital Officer (GCDO) to provide independent expertise to guide responsible AI use in the public service.
The release acknowledges that use of AI requires that New Zealanders have trust and give social licence; to support this the strategy is accompanied by the Responsible AI Guidance for Businesses.
AI strategy and guidance
The strategy has been released to encourage investment by the private sector in AI adoption, by way of a framework designed to enable rather than constrain innovation. It also confirms New Zealand's adoption of the OECD's AI Principles.
The strategy highlights barriers to AI adoption and notes the Government's commitment to removing these barriers wherever possible. One perceived barrier is regulatory uncertainty. The Government has consistently signalled a "light-touch approach" will be taken to AI regulation, including that New Zealand will not introduce AI-specific legislation. Instead, the strategy notes that New Zealand's regulatory frameworks, such as for privacy and consumer protection, are largely technology-neutral and can be updated as and when needed to enable AI innovation and to address new risks. There do not appear to be any legislative amendments currently proposed as a result of the AI Strategy.
Other identified barriers include perceived complexity, ethics, and risk, as well as lack of understanding and perceived value. The Government has released guidance for businesses considering or using AI to assist with overcoming these barriers. The guidance is provided as a voluntary resource intended for all New Zealand businesses to provide businesses with tools of what to watch out for when using AI. It is structured around three areas:
- Understanding your ‘why’ for AI
- Good business foundations for responsible AI
- AI system specific considerations.
The guidance signals that further guidance will be developed, including as AI evolves.
AI in the public sector
The AI Strategy notes that the Government aims to lead by example in using AI in a responsible manner to improve public services. This includes:
- Tasking the GCDO with leading the safe and trustworthy adoption of AI in the public service
- The appointment by the GCDO of the AI Expert Advisory Panel on 30 June
- The GCDO's release in February 2025 of updated guidance for the responsible use by the public service of generative AI.
This work reflects the Cabinet's expectations that responsible use by government agencies of AI will deliver better outcomes for all New Zealanders.
What's next?
The strategy notes that this is the beginning of New Zealand's journey and extends the invitation to all stakeholders to engage with the strategy and AI more generally.
The full AI Strategy can be found here: New Zealand's AI Strategy: Investing with confidence, and the business guidance here: Responsible Artificial Intelligence guidance for businesses.
