NZ Digital Public Infrastructure Explorer

Our Digital Future: Vision & Principles

New Zealand's government is advancing a comprehensive Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) strategy, aiming to create a modern, unified digital ecosystem for both central and local government services. The core vision is a citizen-centric approach, enabling seamless access to public services via integrated platforms, including an all-of-government app, a robust digital identity system, and cloud-based data sharing.

This strategy, backed by significant investments and cross-agency collaboration, promises to enhance accessibility, speed, security, and cost-effectiveness for all New Zealanders. It is a dynamic landscape, with ongoing reviews and adjustments, particularly in sectors like health, to ensure optimal value and alignment with evolving priorities (as of May 2025).

Core Principles: The Digital Strategy for Aotearoa

The Digital Strategy for Aotearoa is built on three interconnected Te Reo Māori themes. This section provides a brief overview of these themes. You can find more details under the 'Strategies' tab.

Mahi Tika – Trust

Ensuring digital technologies and data systems are secure, ethical, and culturally appropriate, building citizen confidence. Key initiatives include the Digital Identity Services Trust Framework and the Algorithm Charter.

Mahi Tahi – Inclusion

Making the benefits of digital transformation accessible to all New Zealanders. Addresses affordability, digital literacy, and accessibility through initiatives like the Digital Inclusion Action Plan and Marae Digital Capability Program.

Mahi Ake – Growth

Supporting businesses and organizations in adopting digital technologies, fostering innovation, and building a competitive tech sector.

Detailed information on these strategies and associated roadmaps can be found in the 'Strategies' section. The 'Key Initiatives' section provides insights into specific programs, including funding and current status, and 'Citizen Impact' explores the benefits for New Zealanders.

Strategic Frameworks & Roadmaps

New Zealand's DPI is guided by several key strategies and roadmaps. This section outlines their core objectives and focus areas. Click on each item to learn more.

Digital Strategy for Aotearoa

Lead: MBIE/DIA/Stats NZ/Minister for Digitising Government

Vision: Establish NZ as a world-leading, trusted, thriving digital nation by 2032.

Core Themes:

Mahi Tika (Trust): Secure, ethical, culturally appropriate digital systems. Initiatives: Digital Identity Services Trust Framework, Algorithm Charter.
Mahi Tahi (Inclusion): Accessible benefits for all. Initiatives: Digital Inclusion Action Plan, Marae Digital Capability Program, 5G Expansion.
Mahi Ake (Growth): Support business adoption of digital tech, foster innovation.

Emphasizes Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is a "living plan" with ongoing evolution.

Service Modernisation Roadmap

Lead: GCDO/DIA (Paul James)

Vision: Unified, seamless, citizen-centric digital government services.

Timeframe: Rolling 3-year horizon, annual updates (Updated Dec 2024). Phase 1 (FY 2024/2025) funded.

Key Layers:

Enhancing Customer Service Experience
Reusable Digital Components (e.g., MBIE's FormBuilder)
Strengthening Digital, Data, and Security Foundations
Doing Digital Well (cross-agency collaboration, consistent standards)

Focuses on breaking down siloed agency development and promoting reusable solutions. Includes replacing Web Accessibility Standard with a broader Digital Accessibility Standard (DAS).

Government Data Strategy and Roadmap

Lead: GCDS/Stats NZ

Vision: Harness data for public value, uphold Te Tiriti, maintain public trust.

Timeframe: 2021–2024 (initial roadmap), ongoing implementation.

Focus Areas:

Data: Improve quality, availability, and use.
Capability: Build data literacy and skills (including with iwi/Māori).
Infrastructure: Modern, secure, integrated data infrastructure (e.g., IDI Commons).
Leadership: Strong governance, clear roles (e.g., Data and Statistics Act, Māori Data Governance Model).

Recognizes data as a national asset requiring dedicated governance and capability development. An updated roadmap is anticipated.

Other Key Policies & Frameworks

Cloud First Policy

Lead: GCDO/Cabinet. Objective: Mandate use of public cloud services where possible (Refreshed April 2023). Focus: Adopt public cloud, risk-based approach, secure data storage. CDC certified May 2025.

Digital Identity Services Trust Framework (DISTF)

Lead: DIA (Trust Framework Authority)/Minister for Digitising Government. Objective: Regulate accredited digital ID services, ensure privacy, security, user control (Act 2023, Rules Nov 2024). Focus: Trust, security, privacy, interoperability.

Consumer Data Right (Open Banking)

Lead: MBIE/Minister for Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Objective: Give consumers control over their data, foster innovation in banking (Act 2025, Regs Dec 2025). Focus: Secure data sharing, payment initiation, accreditation for third parties.

Explore the 'Key Initiatives' tab to see how these strategies are being put into action, and 'Citizen Impact' for the resulting benefits.

Key Digital Public Infrastructure Initiatives

New Zealand's DPI is being built through several core initiatives. This section provides an overview of major programs, including their investment scale and current status (as of May 2025). Note that the health sector has undergone a significant review, leading to the pausing of the main Hira programme and rationalization of many other digital projects, with a new Health Digital Investment Plan pending. Use the filters to explore, and click on an initiative for details.

Major DPI Investment Overview

Selected Budget 2025/26 Allocations & Known Program Funding

Note: This chart shows selected major investments. Many other initiatives are funded through existing agency baselines, broader Vote appropriations, or have funding held in contingency. "Billion-dollar" figures usually refer to overall sector budgets, cumulative multi-year spending, or projected savings, not single IT project costs.

Filter by Status:

Filter by Funding Scale:

Filter by Timeframe:

The 'Citizen Impact' section details how these initiatives directly benefit New Zealanders.

Delivering Value: Citizen Impact

The DPI strategy aims to deliver tangible benefits to New Zealand citizens. This section explores how key initiatives contribute to enhanced services and experiences. Select an initiative from the dropdown to see its primary citizen benefits, or view the overall impact chart.

Benefits Overview

The DPI initiatives collectively aim to improve:

Ease of Access & Satisfaction: Simpler, unified interactions (24/7 online, one-stop app).
Efficiency: Lower costs for citizens and government, quicker service (digital licences, faster processing).
Trust: Better data accuracy, transparency, and robust security/privacy.
Inclusion: Equitable access for all (zero-rated data, library hubs, accessibility standards).
Economic & Societal Gains: Broader economic growth and better social outcomes.

The chart on the right provides a visual summary of how many key initiatives target each benefit category.

Initiative Impact on Benefit Categories

Mapping Initiatives to Benefits

The table below shows which key citizen benefits are targeted by major DPI initiatives. Use the filter to explore.

Filter by Initiative:

Citizen Benefit	Digital Identity	All-of-Gov App	Open Banking/CDR	Reusable Components	Data Exchange

The 'Ecosystem' tab outlines the key players involved in delivering these benefits.

The DPI Ecosystem: Governance & Partners

Delivering New Zealand's DPI vision requires a collaborative effort involving government, industry, and the community.

Governance & Leadership

Minister for Digitising Government (Hon Judith Collins KC): Sets vision and political direction.
Government Chief Digital Officer (GCDO - Paul James): Operational leader for digital strategies.
Digital Executive Board: Cross-agency CEs ensuring alignment.
Government Chief Data Steward (GCDS): Leads data strategy and governance.
Government Chief Information Security Officer (GCISO): Sets cybersecurity standards.
Key Agencies:
- DIA: Digital ID, Service Modernisation, Cloud Cert.
- MBIE: Digital Strategy, Business Services, CDR.
- Stats NZ: Data Strategy, GCDS.
- Treasury: Investment oversight.
- Local Government (LGNZ): Collaboration on local digital services.

Key Partners & Vendors

Strategic collaborations and technology providers are vital.

Cloud Providers

AWS, Microsoft Azure (RealMe 2.0), Google Cloud. CDC Data Centres (Certified Hosting).

Integrators & Consultants

Deloitte, Datacom, Spark Digital, Fujitsu, Capgemini, etc.

Software Vendors

SAP, Oracle, Salesforce, Microsoft (Azure B2C), TechOne (Local Gov), Janison (EdTech), Orion Health.

Specialist/Local Tech

Eight Wire (Data Exchange), Payments NZ (Open Banking), Foster Moore (Registries), Ambit (AI), Catalyst IT.

Community & Academia

Digital Identity NZ, Universities, Ngāi Tahu (Iwi IT), Digital Nations alliance.

Understanding this ecosystem is crucial to appreciating how the various DPI components are developed and delivered. The 'Future View' section discusses how this ecosystem will navigate upcoming challenges and opportunities.

Global DPI Comparison: NZ, Australia & India

Understanding New Zealand's Digital Public Infrastructure strategy in a global context can highlight common trends, unique approaches, and areas of potential learning. This section provides a high-level comparison with Australia and India, two countries with significant and distinct DPI initiatives. This is an initial overview and will be expanded over time.

Comparative Overview

DPI Aspect	🇳🇿 New Zealand	🇦🇺 Australia	🇮🇳 India
Digital Identity	RealMe, DISTF (Trust Framework for multiple providers), NZ Verify app. Focus on ecosystem and user control.	myGovID (federated, part of myGov platform), Trusted Digital Identity Framework (TDIF). Strong central platform.	Aadhaar (biometric unique ID for residents). Foundational ID for numerous services.
Payments	Consumer Data Right (Open Banking) being implemented. Payments NZ developing API standards.	Consumer Data Right (CDR) implemented, including Open Banking. New Payments Platform (NPP) for real-time payments.	Unified Payments Interface (UPI) - highly successful real-time mobile payments system. Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AEPS).
Service Delivery Platform	Vision for All-of-Government app. Service Modernisation Roadmap for unified services. Sector-specific portals (e.g., My Health Account).	myGov (central portal and app for accessing government services). Service NSW (state-level integrated service model).	India Stack (set of open APIs and digital public goods). DigiLocker (digital document wallet). UMANG (unified mobile app).
Data Exchange	Developing secure data sharing (e.g., SIA's Data Exchange). Focus on interoperability standards and API strategy. Consumer Data Right for financial data.	Data Availability and Transparency Act (DATA) scheme to authorise sharing of public sector data.	Data Empowerment and Protection Architecture (DEPA) - consent-based data sharing framework. Health Stack for health data.
Approach Emphasis	Trust, Inclusion, Growth (Mahi Tika, Tahi, Ake). Citizen-centric, collaborative, ecosystem-based. Strong Māori data governance focus. Pragmatic, iterative rollouts.	User-centric, whole-of-government integration, digital transformation of services. Strong federal and state coordination. Mature central platforms.	Digital inclusion at scale, mobile-first, open APIs, fostering innovation through public digital goods. Population-scale solutions. Highly innovative and rapidly adopted.

🇦🇺 Australia's DPI Approach

Australia has a mature digital government strategy, with significant investment in its myGov platform as a central hub for citizen services, underpinned by the myGovID digital identity. The Consumer Data Right (CDR) is well-established, with Open Banking being a key implementation. The New Payments Platform (NPP) enables real-time payments. State governments, like NSW with its Service NSW model, have also made significant strides in integrated service delivery.

Key Features:

myGov & myGovID: Central portal and federated digital ID.
Consumer Data Right (CDR): Includes Open Banking, expanding to other sectors.
New Payments Platform (NPP): Real-time, data-rich payments.
State-level innovation: e.g., Service NSW, Digital Driver Licences.

🇮🇳 India's DPI Approach (India Stack)

India has developed a world-renowned DPI known as the "India Stack." This is a set of open APIs and digital public goods aiming for presence-less, paperless, and cashless service delivery. Aadhaar (unique biometric ID) is foundational, enabling services like eKYC. The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has revolutionized digital payments. DigiLocker provides a secure digital document wallet, and DEPA enables consent-based data sharing.

Key Features:

Aadhaar: Biometric unique ID for over a billion residents.
Unified Payments Interface (UPI): Massive scale real-time mobile payments.
DigiLocker: Secure cloud-based platform for document storage and verification.
DEPA: Consent-based data sharing framework.
Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC): Aiming to democratize e-commerce.

This comparison provides a starting point. As New Zealand's DPI evolves, further analysis against these and other leading digital nations will offer valuable insights for continuous improvement and innovation.

The Path Forward: Challenges & Opportunities

New Zealand's DPI journey involves navigating implementation hurdles while capitalizing on opportunities for innovation and international standing. The long-term outlook is one of continuous evolution and adaptation, particularly in managing fiscal constraints and prioritizing investments for maximum citizen benefit.

Implementation Hurdles

Legacy Systems: Modernising or integrating aging IT infrastructure remains a core challenge.
Siloed Approaches: Overcoming fragmented agency investments and fostering true whole-of-government collaboration.
Digital Divide: Ensuring equitable access and benefits for all citizens (addressing literacy, affordability, accessibility).
Funding & Prioritization: Sustaining long-term funding amidst fiscal pressures and making strategic investment choices (e.g., Health NZ project rationalization).
Cultural Change: Embedding agile ways of working and appropriate risk tolerance for innovation in public service.
Complexity of Integration: Connecting disparate government services and data sources effectively and securely.
Cybersecurity: Managing evolving threats against critical national digital infrastructure.
Capacity & Capability: Ensuring sufficient skilled workforce within government and partner ecosystem to deliver complex digital programs.

Opportunities & Future Evolution

International Standing: Positioning NZ as a model for user-centric, ethical digital government.
Innovation Catalyst: Boosting the domestic tech sector and digital exports.
Indigenous Perspectives: Leading in Māori data governance and inclusive digital transformation.
Continuous Evolution: Adaptive strategies (e.g., rolling roadmaps, new Health Digital Investment Plan) to respond to emerging tech and citizen needs.
Advanced Technologies: Further integration of AI, verifiable credentials, and advanced data analytics for personalized and proactive services.
Economic Growth: DPI contributing to GDP growth through productivity and new digital markets.
Local-Central Integration: Creating truly seamless services across all levels of government.
Data-Driven Policy: Leveraging integrated data for better evidence-based policy making and service design.

Long-Term Strategic Outlook

New Zealand's DPI strategy is a long-term commitment, focused on sustained investment in digital capability, infrastructure modernisation, and cultivating a culture of innovation. The goal is a dynamic, adaptive digital public service that meets evolving citizen expectations and strengthens the nation's digital future. Recent reviews and adjustments, particularly in the health sector, underscore a pragmatic approach to ensure investments deliver clear value and align with overall government priorities.

App Roadmap: Future Iterations

This NZ DPI Explorer is an evolving tool. Here's a glimpse into planned enhancements to provide even more value and insights:

Iteration 2: Deeper Analysis & Enhanced Interactivity

Detailed Initiative Dependencies: Visualize or list how key initiatives depend on or enable each other (e.g., All-of-Gov App relying on Digital ID).
Timeline View: An interactive timeline to track the progress and key milestones of major DPI initiatives over the years.
Expanded Global Comparison: Add Singapore to the "Global Comparison" tab with similar DPI aspect breakdowns.

Iteration 3: Advanced Insights & User Contributions

Risk & Mitigation Tracking: Incorporate a section (perhaps within "Future View" or individual initiatives) that outlines identified risks/challenges and stated mitigation strategies for key DPI projects, based on public reports.
User Feedback Integration (Optional): If email collection proves successful and users opt-in, explore ways to allow users to submit questions or highlight areas of interest, potentially feeding into a "Community Q&A" or "Focus Areas" section (requires backend and moderation).

Iteration 4: Deeper Dive & Customization

Vendor/Partner Profiles: Expand the "Ecosystem" tab to include brief profiles or links to key vendors and partners involved in specific initiatives, based on publicly available contract awards or partnership announcements.
Customizable Dashboard (Vision): Longer-term vision to allow users (especially authenticated ones) to select and track specific initiatives or benefit areas they are most interested in, creating a personalized dashboard view.
Link to Official Sources: Systematically add direct links to official government source documents (strategy papers, budget announcements, press releases) for each piece of information presented, enhancing verifiability.

This roadmap is indicative and may evolve based on new information, user feedback, and emerging priorities in NZ's digital landscape.