⏱ 5 minutes to read
We attended the Government Innovation Showcase in Wellington in May and had some great conversations with technology leaders from across the public sector.
While every organisation is at a different stage of its digital journey, several common themes emerged throughout the event.
Here are four key themes that stood out.
Data readiness was one of the most common themes we heard throughout the event. Many organisations described their data environments as fragmented, inconsistent, and difficult to access. Reporting processes are often still manual and time consuming, with teams relying on spreadsheets, CSV files, and email chains to move information around.
There was also growing awareness that better data foundations are essential for future initiatives, particularly AI. Several attendees acknowledged that without trusted, accessible data, it becomes difficult to unlock the value of emerging technologies.
Concerns around data handling also surfaced. Conversations touched on the risks of storing and sharing personally identifiable information, insecure methods for exchanging data between organisations, and broader challenges across data and AI infrastructure.
The appetite to improve is clearly there. But for many organisations, the focus needs to be on getting the foundations right before moving on to more advanced initiatives.
Compared to a year ago, AI adoption has clearly increased. More organisations are using tools like Microsoft Copilot, more staff are experimenting with AI, and awareness is significantly higher.
Yet many of the underlying challenges remain unchanged.
Many attendees admitted they were still unsure what practical AI use cases looked like beyond basic productivity gains. Outside of copilots, there was limited clarity around where AI could create value across operations, services, or customer experiences.
The sentiment was not resistance to AI. It was uncertainty.
The challenge is no longer getting access to AI tools. Most organisations have already done that. The challenge now is turning AI into measurable outcomes.
As AI adoption increases, governance and staff capability are becoming increasingly important.
A recurring theme throughout conversations was that people do not feel confident using AI tools properly. Many organisations lack clear guidance around what good usage looks like, what data can safely be shared with AI tools, and how to manage risk across teams.
There were also concerns around staff using unsecured or public AI platforms without proper oversight.
Without governance, organisations risk inconsistent outputs, poor adoption, and unnecessary exposure of sensitive information.
Education was another common challenge. Many attendees felt their teams needed practical support, not just access to tools. That includes training on prompting, responsible usage, identifying valuable use cases, and understanding the limitations of AI systems.
The organisations most likely to see meaningful results from AI will not necessarily be the first to adopt it. They will be the ones that build the capability around it.
The pressure to do more with existing resources came up repeatedly throughout the event.
Teams are being asked to improve services, increase productivity, and modernise operations while managing limited budgets and growing demands.
AI is often viewed as part of the solution. But many organisations still lack a clear roadmap that connects AI initiatives to measurable business outcomes.
There was little evidence of prioritised use cases, phased implementation plans, or defined success measures. In many cases, experimentation is happening in isolated pockets without a broader strategy tying it together.
That creates a gap between enthusiasm and execution.
The organisations that move forward successfully will likely be the ones that take a more structured approach. One that combines strong data foundations, practical governance, staff capability building, and a clear roadmap focused on real operational outcomes..
The Government Innovation Showcase 2026 highlighted an important shift in mindset across the public sector.
The conversation is no longer about whether AI matters. Most organisations already recognise its potential. The challenge now is turning curiosity into capability.
For many, that journey starts with the fundamentals. Better data practices. Clear governance. Practical education. And a roadmap that connects technology investment to meaningful outcomes.
If these challenges sound familiar, you're not alone.
Nodero offers a free 30 Minute AI Readiness Consult for digital and technology leaders exploring safe and practical AI adoption.
Get practical guidance on AI adoption, governance, data readiness, and high value AI use cases tailored to your organisation.
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