New Zealand is experiencing a remarkable transformation in 2025, with artificial intelligence driving unprecedented productivity gains across diverse industries.
According to recent surveys, 82% of New Zealand organisations now use AI in some capacity, representing a sharp 15% increase from late 2024. The results speak for themselves: 93% of businesses report that AI has made their workers more efficient, while 71% cite savings in operational costs due to AI efficiencies. What’s particularly encouraging is that this productivity boost hasn’t come at the expense of employment – only 7% of organisations report AI directly replacing workers. Instead, companies are finding that AI augments their existing workforce, allowing teams to accomplish more without proportional headcount growth.
The impact of AI spans across New Zealand’s key economic sectors, from manufacturing floors to rural farms.
- In manufacturing, AI-powered automation and predictive maintenance are streamlining operations and reducing downtime.
- Agriculture is adopting smart sensors, drones, and analytics is improving crop yields and resource efficiency.
- The healthcare sector is cautiously but effectively adopting AI for administrative tasks and diagnostic support, with AI systems automating patient consultation notes and reducing paperwork burden on medical staff.
- Financial services companies are leveraging AI for customer service chatbots and fraud detection, while innovative New Zealand firms like Xero are incorporating machine learning to automate bookkeeping tasks for small businesses globally.
These sector-specific applications demonstrate how AI is becoming deeply integrated into New Zealand’s economic fabric.
Looking ahead, the future appears bright for AI-driven productivity in New Zealand.
Economic projections suggest AI could boost New Zealand’s productivity by around 1.5% per year on average, with potential economic contributions of NZ$3.4 billion by 2035. The government is actively supporting this transformation through national AI strategies, workforce upskilling initiatives, and regulatory frameworks that balance innovation with ethical considerations.
With 81% of New Zealand businesses now supporting AI training programs for staff and 75% of business leaders planning to hire for AI-related roles, the country is positioning itself not just to participate in the global AI revolution, but to lead by example in creating a responsible, inclusive, and highly productive AI-enhanced economy.