Minister for Digitising Government

The Minister for Digitising Government is a minister in the New Zealand Government with responsibilities including the delivery of the government's digital strategy, digital services delivery, and digital modernisation. The portfolio is supported by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, the Department of Internal Affairs, and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.^[1][2]

Minister for Digitising Government
Coat of arms of New Zealand
Flag of New Zealand
Incumbent Judith Collins since 27 November 2023
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Department of Internal Affairs Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Style	The Honourable
Member of	Cabinet of New Zealand Executive Council
Reports to	Prime Minister of New Zealand
Appointer	Governor-General of New Zealand
Term length	At His Majesty's pleasure
Formation	6 November 2020
First holder	David Clark
Website	Official website

The present minister is Judith Collins.^[3]

History

The position was created on 6 November 2020 as the Minister for the Digital Economy and Communications and, along with the Minister of Broadcasting and Media, was divided from the previous position of Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media.^[4] The purpose of the Digital Economy and Communications portfolio was to simplify and streamline digital workstreams across the New Zealand government, as well as to regulate the telecommunications and postal sectors, broadband infrastructure, and the radio spectrum.^[5][6] Those regulatory functions had previously been under the Minister of Communications and Information Technology. The portfolio was retitled with a refocused set of responsibilities after the 2023 general election.

The minister shares responsibility for cyber security matters with the minister responsible for the Government Communications Security Bureau.^[7] Former politician Peter Dunne has said the position is "extremely important", "given New Zealand’s position as one of the world's most digitally advanced governments".^[4]

The minister is responsible for the Digital Executive Board, which "leads a whole-of-system approach to transform digital public services for New Zealand."^[8]

List of ministers

Key

  Labour   National

No.		Name	Portrait	Term of Office		Prime Minister
Minister for the Digital Economy and Communications
	1	David Clark		6 November 2020	1 February 2023		Ardern
							Hipkins
	2	Ginny Andersen		1 February 2023	27 November 2023
Minister for Digitising Government
	3	Judith Collins		27 November 2023	present		Luxon

References

1. "Digitising Government". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
2. "Minister for the Digital Economy and Communications". Digital.govt.nz. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
3. "Ministerial List". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
4. Dunne, Peter (6 November 2020). "Winners, losers and a powerful PM". Newsroom. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
5. "Digital Council winds up following successful tenure". New Zealand Government. 14 December 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
6. "Digital Economy and Communications". dpmc.govt.nz. 5 February 2021. Archived from the original on 13 February 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
7. Dexter, Giles (18 November 2022). "Kiwis' rights in Australia: No mention of 501 policy from minister in 'family' lecture". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
8. "Digital Executive Board". New Zealand Digital government. 21 November 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.