A catalyst for growth

Queenstown's shift towards technology began in 2020, at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

As Queenstown's tourism-dependent economy ground to a halt, Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult enlisted international technology veteran and Queenstown local Roger Sharp to spearhead a community effort to diversify the economy through building out its tech ecosystem.

Roger is passionate about the potential of the tech sector and the benefits it can deliver. Over the ensuing three years, he and a small team embraced the challenge, taking a quantitative approach to identifying the potential – and the obstacles to be overcome.  Three hypotheses emerged, that are the cornerstone of TQ’s work:

1. young people should have the opportunity to do world-class work on world-class wages, without leaving home;

2. the local economy must be diversified against future shocks, while lifting productivity; and

3. this activity should deliver material commercial returns to investors, while not compromising the district’s way of life.

Technology Queenstown was launched as a not-for-profit tech development agency in January 2024. Backed by some of New Zealand's largest companies and global technology partners, TQ’s momentum and support continues to grow. TQ is guided by a highly experienced board of trustees, backed by corporate funding and enjoys strong community support.