# New Zealand risks squandering digital potential

> Tech leaders warn NZ's digital economy could lose $76b in potential without long-term tech strategy.
- Title: New Zealand risks squandering digital potential · RNZ
- Summary: Tech leaders warn NZ's digital economy could lose $76b in potential without long-term tech strategy. New Zealand risks missing $76 billion in economic…
- Keywords: new zealand, digital economy, ai potential, tech leaders, political strategy, digital security, politics, news, Zealand, risks, squandering, digital
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/business/1923469/nz-risks-squandering-digital-economic-potential-tech-leaders-say
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-15T00:25:01+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: new zealand, digital economy, ai potential, tech leaders, political strategy, digital security, politics, news
## Tech leaders warn of digital risks
Technology leaders warn New Zealand risks squandering digital and economic potential if political leaders reset technological direction every three years.
## Digital services contribute $17bn
Digital services contributed about $17 billion in annual exports with potential to generate $76 billion through artificial intelligence and other technologies.
## Security risks threaten $200m annually
New Zealanders lose $200 million a year to online scams while 35 percent of small businesses suffer from insufficient cyber resilience.
## Key takeaway

New Zealand risks missing $76 billion in economic potential from AI and tech without stable political leadership.