New Zealand firms ramp AI for margins

TechDay NZ reported on May 22 that New Zealand businesses are directing AI and automation spending toward energy use, reporting and administrative work as margin pressure pushes finance teams to look for faster savings. The post, published on X and reflected in a TechDay/IT Brief New Zealand story, said local firms across sectors were targeting operational tasks rather than experimental projects. The article described energy reduction, automated reporting and admin automation as the main areas of focus. The report did not name all of the companies involved in the social post preview, but it framed the shift through comments from local finance leaders. ### Why are energy, reporting and admin the first targets? TechDay’s May 22 report said New Zealand firms were aiming AI and automation at “energy use, reporting and admin tasks” as they tried to protect margins. Those are functions where companies can measure savings in electricity bills, staff hours and finance-cycle time more quickly than in longer-term transformation programs. A 2degrees study released on April 30 and prepared by Deloitte Access Economics gave a broader backdrop for that push. (itbrief.co.nz) The report said the average New Zealand small or medium-sized business using AI earned about NZ$400,000 more in financial year 2025 than a comparable non-adopter, while the average large business earned about NZ$59.1 million more. ### How widespread is AI use in New Zealand business already? (itbrief.co.nz) The 2degrees-Deloitte Access Economics study said 82% of New Zealand businesses report using AI at work. The report added that many companies are still in the early stages and are mostly using AI features built into software they already own rather than deploying standalone systems. The AI Forum’s “AI in Action” report, published on August 25, 2025, also pointed to broad uptake. (2degrees.nz) It said 91% of businesses surveyed reported efficiency improvements from AI, 77% said they had reduced operating expenses, and more than a quarter reported annual benefits above NZ$50,000. ### What are finance chiefs and policymakers saying about the push? (2degrees.nz) Andrew Fairgray, chief business officer at 2degrees, said the research showed AI was “no longer theoretical” and gave businesses “practical levers” to lift productivity if they adopted it properly. Liza van der Merwe, Deloitte Access Economics lead partner at Deloitte New Zealand, said progress depended on “mindset, systems, and skills in tandem.” (aiforum.org.nz) The New Zealand government has also framed AI as an adoption story. MBIE’s national AI strategy, published in July 2025, said the country’s approach deliberately emphasizes AI adoption and application rather than foundational model development, reflecting New Zealand’s economic context. ### Why does this matter now for New Zealand companies? (2degrees.nz) MBIE said in its strategy that AI is essential for competitiveness and productivity, and that barriers to wider uptake still need to be addressed. The agency also published voluntary responsible-AI guidance for businesses, including sole traders and nonprofits, as adoption spreads across the private sector. (mbie.govt.nz) Newsroom reported on May 5 that a parliamentary committee had warned overseas businesses were struggling to turn a profit on AI, even as it supported firms pursuing the technology in New Zealand. That leaves local companies balancing pressure for quick cost savings with the need to show measurable returns. ### What comes next as firms expand these projects? (mbie.govt.nz) TechDay’s May 22 item points to further rollout in operational functions, with finance-led use cases likely to stay centered on measurable tasks such as power consumption, routine reporting and back-office administration. The next public benchmark for that shift is likely to come from follow-up reporting by TechDay and from New Zealand industry studies such as the AI Forum’s productivity reports and 2degrees-backed research. (newsroom.co.nz) (itbrief.co.nz)