The Government is expanding the University of Auckland’s Digital Manufacturing Light programme to help at least 180 manufacturers adopt new technologies, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Chris Penk says.

Penk says overseas competitors are getting gains from “greater automation, artificial intelligence, robotics and cloud computing”, and some New Zealand manufacturers are held back by cost, disruption concerns, or limited in-house technical expertise.

The expansion will roll out to at least 180 small and medium-sized manufacturers in Auckland and parts of Waikato, Northland and the Bay of Plenty.

Penk says around 55 per cent of New Zealand’s manufacturers are located in those regions.

Digital Manufacturing Light uses low-cost, off-the-shelf technologies and open-source software to introduce new systems into existing operations without major capital investment or complex infrastructure.

Businesses get a tailored assessment, help choosing solutions, hands-on installation support, and training so the technology delivers value on the factory floor.

Penk says the programme works closely with manufacturers and their own technical staff to build digital skills into the business.

He says it will help move away from manual and outdated processes, with real-time insights into machine performance, bottlenecks, and quality issues.

Penk cites research from Xero and the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, saying faster digital adoption across small and medium-sized enterprises could lift national GDP by $8.6 billion.

The pilot was run as a joint project between the University of Auckland and Auckland Council.

The programme is adapted from the United Kingdom’s ‘Digital Manufacturing on a Shoestring’ programme developed by the Institute for Manufacturing at the University of Cambridge.

From Wednesday, April 1 funding of up to $475,000 per year will be used to expand the programme.

Businesses can inquire by emailing [email protected]

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