- New 20 percent discount for game development studios
- Apprentice-like models of training to get more people into technical careers
- Encouraging innovation and growth in our industry
Budget 2023 lays the foundation for a low-emissions, high-wage economy with a major investment in our digital and technology sector.
“The Chris Hipkins Government is supporting New Zealand’s growing game development sector and encouraging more Kiwis into tech jobs,” Ginny Andersen said.
“We know from looking at advanced economies like Germany, South Korea, Japan and Singapore that the best investments you can make in the future of your economy are in science, skills and infrastructure.
“Our digital technology sector is helping to significantly increase New Zealand’s productivity and wealth. In 2021, the sector contributed $7 billion to New Zealand’s GDP and has grown at twice the annual rate of the wider economy since 2016 economy.
“Our gaming industry is growing rapidly and is a strong contributor to New Zealand’s GDP – bringing in more than $400 million in revenue by 2022.
“The sector is a creator of high-skill, high-wage jobs – in line with our vision for a low-emissions, high-wage economy, helping to lift our productivity and wealth.
“This government wants to work with the game development industry to better support them to grow and contribute to the economy.
“The 20 percent rebate will be available to game development studios that qualify and meet the minimum spending threshold of $250,000 per year. Individual studios will be able to receive up to $3 million per year in rebate funding, and the schedule will work backwards be after 1 April 2023.
“The rebate will help attract and retain gaming studios to operate in New Zealand and provide a long-term incentive to build their business here.
“We also want to ensure we have the right people trained and ready to help grow the gaming and wider technology industry in New Zealand.
In addition to the Gaming Rebate, the Government is investing $27 million in a digital skills package that will focus on growing our tech sector workforce under the Digital Technologies Industry Transformation Plan.
Funding will support the development of apprenticeship-like pilot programmes, which will include part-payments for trainee wages, employer support and guidance, and will cover trainee set-up costs.
“The government will support the piloting of apprenticeship-like models of training, so that people can learn while they earn, and gain industry experience while they study,” said Ginny Andersen.
“We also want to make pathways into the tech industry accessible, especially for underrepresented groups such as Māori, Pacific Peoples, women and neurodiverse people.
“We will also support school-based programs and a service matching internships that are provided nationwide,” said Ginny Andersen.
This program will integrate school learning and work-based learning with local employers, where students will gain NCEA level 1-3 credits and can work towards completing a level 4+ tertiary qualification in information technology.
Continue support for industry transformation
The digital skills package is one of a number of initiatives being funded in the Government’s Industry Transformation Plans programme.
“Industry transformation plans are an important mechanism to increase productivity and performance in key sectors of the economy. These plans are developed and implemented alongside industry, government, business, workers and iwi,” said Barbara Edmonds.
“As the horticulture sector recovers from Cyclone Gabrielle, the government is supporting the industry to build foundations for future growth and improved productivity.
“Today’s package includes $29.9 million to establish the Horticulture Technology Catalyst initiative, through the Agritech Industry Transformation Plan. This investment will allow horticulture technology experts to provide services such as business coaching and support to growers and the industry.
“We want to make it easier for New Zealand horticulture businesses to access global opportunities and share their knowledge with domestic partners.
“Through this initiative, services will be focused on improving industry connections, developing talent, working with companies and universities to adapt education to industry needs, and supporting companies to develop their projects and research commercializing,” said Barbara Edmonds.
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