Latest news with #TechnologyUsersAssociation
RNZ News
17-05-2025
- RNZ News
Suspected vandalism behind internet outage affecting 950 Auckland homes
A map showing the suburbs affected by the internet outage in north Auckland. Photo: Supplied / Screenshot A body representing internet users says it's concerning vandalism could be behind a massive internet outage in Auckland. The Network provider, Chorus, has been working around the clock after 950 connections were severed late Thursday. About 150 users had been restored so far. Crews found six cables damaged and think it was done on purpose. Technology Users Association chief executive Craig Young said important businesses were in the affected area. He said he was surprised at the possible vandalism because fibre cables didn't carry value for offenders like old copper lines did. It comes eight months after a similar internet outage in Auckland affected about 3000 customers. In that outage in Māngere Bridge and Onehunga, Chorus also blamed vandalism. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
15-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Business of Tech: Tuanz warns New Zealand is missing the digital bus
The Technology Users Association has issued a stark warning that New Zealand risks falling further behind in the global digital economy unless the Government urgently reforms its approach to digital and technology skills, with a particular focus on vocational training. In a wide-ranging interview on this week's episode of The Business of Tech, Technology Users Association (Tuanz) CEO Craig Young expressed deep frustration at the lack of strategic leadership and investment in building the local tech talent pipeline, calling current Government proposals 'disappointing' and 'a step backwards' for the industry. 'We've missed a trick here,' Young said, referring to the Government's plan to wind down the Workforce Development Councils and replace them with new industry standards boards that largely ignore the unique needs of the digital and creative sectors. Listen on the Business of Tech podcast for free.
Otago Daily Times
29-04-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
NZ lacking ‘digital ambition'
Tech leaders slam govt New Zealand lacks the digital ambition required to keep pace with advances in technology taking place around the world, according to an industry report. "We don't have a digital ambition," the Technology Users Association (TUANZ)'s annual Digital Priorities report said. It said there was a strong perception among tech sector leaders the government lacked a co-ordinated and strategic approach to digital transformation, which had resulted in a slowdown in innovation and investment. "The overwhelming sentiment? Disappointment and a sense of invisibility," the report said. "A common view is that government restructuring and shifting priorities have sidelined digital technology — seen by many as a missed opportunity." The report highlights deficiencies across nearly all key tech sector indicators and the country's stagnant, middle-of-the-pack ranking on the global stage, despite digital technology being a major driver of economic growth for New Zealand. "As the government enters its second full year, digital leaders express disappointment and a sense of invisibility, struggling to pinpoint specific government initiatives in the digital technology space." The report said the lack of legislation or regulation beyond the Privacy Act remained a major concern for digital leaders. "Our low and stagnant rankings for cybersecurity and privacy protection underscore the need for urgent action to strengthen our capabilities in these critical areas," it said. TUANZ chief executive Craig Young said the government and industry needed to work together to address escalating cybersecurity threats, bridge the widening tech talent gap and ensure digital inclusion for all New Zealanders. Most scathing were leaders' comments around the tech talent gap, which they said was becoming increasingly difficult to bridge. "The fact that this country has to rely on IT workers coming in from overseas when there's people in this country in low-decile [communities] who don't earn enough money, I think, is absolutely disgusting," Fliway Group chief information officer Kevin Rowland said. Key recommendations • Prioritising security by design and enhancing collaboration to address cybersecurity risks. • Investing in local talent, promoting Stem (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education and partnering to close skill gaps. • Improving infrastructure, making technology affordable and promoting digital literacy for digital inclusion. • Implementing robust governance and standards for responsible AI use. • Developing a national digital strategy and incentivising technology adoption for small and medium enterprises. • Establishing clear policies for data use and enhancing data security. By Nona Pelletier
Scoop
29-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
‘We Don't Have A Digital Ambition' – Tech Leaders On Lack Of National Plan
'The overwhelming sentiment? Disappointment and a sense of invisibility,' a report says., Senior Business Reporter New Zealand lacks the digital ambition required to keep pace with advances in technology taking place around the world, according to an industry report. 'We don't have a digital ambition,' the Technology Users Association (TUANZ)'s annual Digital Priorities report said. It said there was a strong perception among tech sector leaders the government lacked a coordinated and strategic approach to digital transformation, which had seen a slowdown in innovation and investment. 'The overwhelming sentiment? Disappointment and a sense of invisibility,' the report said. 'A common view is that government restructuring and shifting priorities have sidelined digital technology – seen by many as a missed opportunity.' The report highlights deficiencies across nearly all *key tech sector indicators, with a stagnant, middle of the pack ranking on the global stage, despite being a major driver of economic growth for New Zealand. 'As the government enters its second full year, digital leaders express disappointment and a sense of invisibility, struggling to pinpoint specific government initiatives in the digital technology space.' The report said the lack of legislation or regulation beyond the Privacy Act remained a major concern for digital leaders. 'Our low and stagnant rankings for cybersecurity and privacy protection underscore the need for urgent action to strengthen our capabilities in these critical areas.' TUANZ chief executive Craig Young said the government and industry needed to work together to address escalating cybersecurity threats, bridge the widening tech talent gap, and ensure digital inclusion for all New Zealanders. 'We need the government to step up in the right places, and we acknowledge this requires support from industry to drive meaningful change together,' Young said. Most scathing were leaders' comments around the tech talent gap which was becoming increasingly difficult to bridge. 'The fact that this country has to rely on IT workers coming in from overseas when there's people in this country in low decile [communities] who don't earn enough money, I think, is absolutely disgusting,' Fliway Group chief information officer Kevin Rowland said. *Key recommendations from the report: Prioritising security by design and enhancing collaboration to address cybersecurity risks. Investing in local talent, promoting STEM education and partnering to close skill gaps. Improving infrastructure, making technology affordable and promoting digital literacy for digital inclusion. Implementing robust governance and standards for responsible AI use. Developing a national digital strategy and incentivising technology adoption for small and medium enterprises. Establishing clear policies for data use and enhancing data security.
Scoop
29-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
‘We Don't Have A Digital Ambition' – Tech Leaders On Lack Of National Plan
'The overwhelming sentiment? Disappointment and a sense of invisibility,' a report says., Senior Business Reporter New Zealand lacks the digital ambition required to keep pace with advances in technology taking place around the world, according to an industry report. 'We don't have a digital ambition,' the Technology Users Association (TUANZ)'s annual Digital Priorities report said. It said there was a strong perception among tech sector leaders the government lacked a coordinated and strategic approach to digital transformation, which had seen a slowdown in innovation and investment. 'The overwhelming sentiment? Disappointment and a sense of invisibility,' the report said. 'A common view is that government restructuring and shifting priorities have sidelined digital technology – seen by many as a missed opportunity.' The report highlights deficiencies across nearly all *key tech sector indicators, with a stagnant, middle of the pack ranking on the global stage, despite being a major driver of economic growth for New Zealand. 'As the government enters its second full year, digital leaders express disappointment and a sense of invisibility, struggling to pinpoint specific government initiatives in the digital technology space.' The report said the lack of legislation or regulation beyond the Privacy Act remained a major concern for digital leaders. 'Our low and stagnant rankings for cybersecurity and privacy protection underscore the need for urgent action to strengthen our capabilities in these critical areas.' TUANZ chief executive Craig Young said the government and industry needed to work together to address escalating cybersecurity threats, bridge the widening tech talent gap, and ensure digital inclusion for all New Zealanders. 'We need the government to step up in the right places, and we acknowledge this requires support from industry to drive meaningful change together,' Young said. Most scathing were leaders' comments around the tech talent gap which was becoming increasingly difficult to bridge. 'The fact that this country has to rely on IT workers coming in from overseas when there's people in this country in low decile [communities] who don't earn enough money, I think, is absolutely disgusting,' Fliway Group chief information officer Kevin Rowland said. *Key recommendations from the report: Prioritising security by design and enhancing collaboration to address cybersecurity risks. Investing in local talent, promoting STEM education and partnering to close skill gaps. Improving infrastructure, making technology affordable and promoting digital literacy for digital inclusion. Implementing robust governance and standards for responsible AI use. Developing a national digital strategy and incentivising technology adoption for small and medium enterprises.
