How Kiwi Businesses Are Leaning on AI to Boost Productivity in 2025

A new report reveals that New Zealand’s business sector has embraced Artificial Intelligence (AI) at a surprising rate in 2025, deploying the technology to navigate persistent economic headwinds. While the global economic picture remains uncertain, a strong focus on practical AI applications is delivering tangible productivity gains for many Kiwi companies. The state of AI adoption The 2025 State of AI Index indicates that up to 87% of New Zealand organisations now use some form of AI, a significant jump from just 48% in 2023. The report found that: 88% of businesses using AI reported a positive operational impact. 93% of workers saw increased efficiency as a result of AI, allowing teams to accomplish more without adding headcount. The government’s new AI strategy focuses on adoption and safe use, giving businesses a “green light” to implement the technology where it can boost productivity. Practical applications for immediate impact Rather than developing complex AI models from scratch, most New Zealand companies are using off-the-shelf solutions to achieve “quick wins” and fast return on investment. Common applications include: Marketing: AI-powered analytics help businesses process large customer data sets for more targeted campaigns. Administration: Automating repetitive tasks like scheduling and document management reduces manual workload and frees up staff. Customer Service: Chatbots and AI assistants are providing 24/7 service and helping resolve issues faster. Project Management: AI is being used to analyse project data and track progress more accurately, providing real-time insights. The trust challenge and future outlook Despite the high adoption rates in the business sector, a significant challenge remains: building consumer trust. A large percentage of New Zealanders use AI but are still sceptical about its safety and privacy implications, with concerns over data security and the authenticity of AI-generated content. For businesses, this means that transparency is key. Ethical AI use and clear communication about when customers are interacting with AI are crucial for gaining public confidence. If businesses can successfully navigate these trust issues, New Zealand is well-positioned to continue leading the way in human-centred AI adoption and responsible innovation.