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Download Policy document (PDF)Boosting the Tech Sector
A growing tech sector and a responsive immigration system will be part of National’s plan to rebuild the economy to end the cost-of-living crisis so all New Zealanders can get ahead.
New Zealand needs to make it easier for high-growth sectors like tech to attract the skills and talent they need to grow. To achieve this, National will adopt a smarter, more strategic approach to immigration to attract the best and brightest from around the world.
A smarter immigration system focusses on attracting highly talented people with the skills, knowledge and expertise Kiwi firms need to grow.
Smarter immigration isn't about numbers; it's about identifying the gaps in our skill base and making it easier for people who have those skills to come here and contribute. It’s about making sure New Zealand remains competitive in the global war for talent to help grow our tech sector and drive faster economic growth.
National will also work to make it easier for startups and other early-stage companies to attract and retain talent by investigating changes to the tax treatment of options provided to startup employees.
And we will ensure that the tech sector has a champion at the heart of a National Government whose mission will be to ensure we have the conditions right for the tech sector to thrive.
Boosting the Tech Sector
- International Graduates Visa – a three-year open work visa for highly educated people who have graduated with a bachelor’s degree or higher within the last five years from one of the top 100 universities in the world.
- Global Growth Tech Visa – a residence visa for people with highly specialised skills who have worked at a top global tech company earning at least NZ$400,000.
- Digital Nomad Visa – a 12-month visa to attract skilled, highly-mobile people to come to New Zealand while working remotely for an overseas-based company, with the option to apply for a work or residence visa later if they choose to stay.
- Supporting startups – investigate changes to the tax treatment of options issued by startups to their staff to make it easier to attract and retain talent in their early years.
- Minister of Technology – to partner with the tech sector to create the right policy and regulatory environment to support more innovation and faster growth.
New Zealand’s economy is struggling, the cost-of-living continues to rise faster than wages, and mortgages are unaffordable. Making it easier for the tech sector to attract and retain talent is part of National’s plan to rebuild the economy to get it working for all New Zealanders.
A strong economy means an end to the cost-of-living crisis, higher incomes, lower mortgage rates, and it means New Zealand can also afford the quality public services we all rely on.