International collaboration and investment
New Zealand will continue to engage in the most important global fora on AI governance to influence the responsible development of AI, working closely with partner governments, international organisations, industry, standards bodies, and academic institutions.
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Consistent with the OECD AI Principles, New Zealand is committed to promoting innovative and trustworthy AI, reaffirming international law, human rights, and democratic values, and ensuring it takes a multi- stakeholder approach to international AI efforts.
New Zealand will focus on international initiatives that align with national interests and are likely to have a real-world impact by improving lives, growing economies, improving global security, or protecting people from harmful or negligent AI use. The Government actively pursues international partnerships that enhance New Zealand’s AI capabilities whilst attracting investment and expertise:
- Singapore-New Zealand AI for Healthy Ageing Initiative: This $12 million joint research programme demonstrates how international collaboration can address shared challenges whilst building local capabilities. The initiative focuses on AI solutions for neurological and mental health conditions in aging populations.
- Digital Nations Network: New Zealand will chair the 2027 Digital Nations meeting, which provides an opportunity to showcase AI leadership whilst learning from the world’s most digitally advanced countries.
Enhancing international connectedness for AI investment and innovation
As part of its focus on economic growth and development, the Government has recently announced changes to attract more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). These changes include:
- Establishing Invest New Zealand, the Government’s one-stop-shop and problem solver for investors. This entity will proactively identify high-impact opportunities including in AI, cut through red tape, and connect investors to drive growth. It is tasked with attracting FDI to drive economic growth, create high-paying jobs, and enhance New Zealand’s global competitiveness.
- Reforming the Overseas Investment Act 2005 to speed up decisions and provide more confidence to investors, while protecting New Zealand’s national interests.
- Changing the Active Investor Plus Visa to provide a pathway for experienced, skilled investors to help grow New Zealand’s economy. The changes, which took effect on 1 April 2025, are designed to make this visa more attractive by simplifying the categories and expanding the scope of acceptable investments.
Together, these initiatives position New Zealand as an attractive destination for AI investment whilst ensuring that international collaboration contributes to domestic capability building rather than creating dependency.