The Government says a new centralised approach to digital investment and procurement could save up to $3.9 billion over the next five years.

Minister for Digitising Government and the Public Service Judith Collins confirmed that the Government Chief Digital Officer (GCDO) will now oversee technology spending across most public service agencies and Crown entities.

She said the move could cut up to 30 percent from the projected $13 billion public sector technology bill.

“This potentially saves a huge amount of taxpayer money – and that’s money that can instead be spent on delivering better public services, for the benefit of all New Zealanders.”

Collins said the days of siloed, one-off technology systems are over, with New Zealand aiming for a “citizen-focused, digital-first public service” modelled on global leaders such as Estonia.

For context, Estonia has reached an extraordinary milestone by becoming a country that digitalises 100 percent of its government services.

Its new Eesti.ee app gives citizens access to nearly 50 services, secure messaging, and even digital ID verification via QR code – showing how a fully digital state can deliver speed, security and convenience.

Eesti.ee app. Photo: the Estonian Information System Authority

A new NZ Government App is also in the works, designed to let people store identity documents, receive secure notifications, and eventually pay for services directly from their phones.

For the Hibiscus Coast, where the GCDO has already certified new cloud data centres in Silverdale, the shift highlights how local infrastructure is becoming central to nationwide digital services.

These facilities will help support the tools and systems the Government says will drive billions in savings and safer, faster services.

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