In the 1980s software was only just becoming recognized as a separate sector and was largely individual companies working in isolation, going through painful learning curves.
However, when the 1991 NZ Government sponsored Porter Project identified software exports as growing four times faster than New Zealand’s exports as a whole, with 10-20 times the profitability - it sparked the coming together as an industry cluster under the banner of the NZ Software Exporters Association.
The NZSEA was born.
Even though the sector was still small, the NZSEA united companies with an ambition to grow New Zealand’s weightless exports, leverage high education levels and create a new platform for NZ to grow from.
Today’s tech sector still shares these ambitions but is now sitting as New Zealand’s second largest export earner. Export was a big driver for the organisation in its early days, coming together with NZTE as a ‘Joint Action Group’ leading several trade missions into a variety of markets.
It was about inspiring software companies to think bigger. To make going global do able. This included bringing recognised experts to our shores, such as the founders of ‘Crossing the Chasm’ and others who were at the forefront of the industry globally.
It also sparked a name change to the NZ Software Association, as we moved to taking a more comprehensive role in the industry. Over the years we became involved in a wide range of initiatives including helping develop government policy, lobbying for change and supporting other tech industry initiatives.
As the NZSA’s membership grew so did its offering, coming together initially with law firm Simpson Grierson, and then Wayne Hudson of Bell Gully and Hudson Gavin Martin to make IP protection, software contracts and other documentation affordable and accessible to all.
However, fundamental to the organisation’s existence remained the sharing of learnings. Our monthly networking dinners gave software companies and their founders a living resource of what to do – and not to do – as their businesses and the industry grew.
Throughout the decades, it remained a passionately industry led initiative that helped companies forge their way. What made this even more exceptional was, unlike wine or dairy, there is no commonality of product.
The software sector covers thousands of platforms and virtually every industry vertical imaginable - but we were able to unite under the NZSA banner and start to create some change.
While everyone involved as members and sponsors are incredibly proud of what was achieved over the years we also recognized the industry has grown and matured. There are now a range of focused industry tech groups across gaming, agritech, biotech, fintech, SaaS and others – many of which can be found via NZ Tech – who are well placed to serve our members’ specific needs.
In making the hard call to wind up the NZSA - despite having a stable core membership and funding - we were determined any remaining funds were used to continue to grow and support software companies in New Zealand. After an application and consultation process, significant donations were made to the Angel Association Runway event and NZ Hi Tech Foundation.
In saying farewell there comes a very big thank you to all our members, executive teams, presidents, supporters, sponsors and suppliers over the years.
There are too many of you to mention but you leave a legacy we can all be proud of.
From the Past Presidents,
New Zealand Software Association