2026 Policy Platform: New Zealand

The 2026 Policy Platformer, a collaborative initiative between the New Zealand Game Developers Association and the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association, serves as a strategic roadmap for the New Zealand game development sector. Its primary purpose is to inform political parties and government stakeholders of the industry’s current economic standing and to advocate for specific policy frameworks necessary to sustain long-term growth ahead of the upcoming election.

The industry has achieved significant economic milestones, recently surpassing $1 billion in annual revenue. With 95% of this revenue derived from exports to the United States and Europe, the sector demonstrates high productivity, estimated at $706,000 per full-time equivalent employee. A central finding is the high efficacy of the Game Development Sector Rebate (GDSR), which generates a return of $4.74 for every dollar of government investment. Consequently, the industry advocates for the maintenance and stabilization of the GDSR as a long-term fiscal commitment rather than a short-term incentive.

Beyond fiscal support, the platformer calls for the formal recognition of game development as a distinct, multidisciplinary industry within national data and funding frameworks. Other key priorities include fostering long-term policy stability, enhancing international market access through coordinated trade delegations, and refining immigration settings to secure a specialized talent pipeline. The proposal also emphasizes the importance of integrating computer science fundamentals into STEAM education, ensuring robust intellectual property protections, and implementing regulatory designs that account for the unique operational characteristics of the gaming industry.