New Zealand businesses that have adopted AI are already experiencing productivity improvements, with clear effects on their bottom line.
A new report commissioned by 2degrees and prepared by Deloitte Access Economics found that, in FY25, the average SME earned about $400,000 more than comparable non-adopters, while large businesses generated approximately $59.1 million more on average.
Drawing on survey data collected between January and February 2026, the research offers the first New Zealand-specific estimate of the link between AI adoption and firm-level productivity. It explores how businesses are deploying AI, where investment is being prioritised, and the key barriers limiting broader uptake.
“The research shows that AI is no longer theoretical. It actually gives us some practical levers that we can use to lift productivity if we adopt it and we adopt it properly. The data is saying that AI is already in use every day across businesses. But it’s now about how that intent turns into actual real growth,” 2degrees Chief Business Officer Andrew Fairgray said.
“If you could get even 10% of that $400,000 uplift, I think any business would be delighted,” Fairgray says. “So from a confidence perspective, get in and go and use it. And then reinforce the point: don’t just use it. Redesign how you’re using it, and transform how you’re thinking about the business.”
While 82% of businesses say they are using AI, many are only at a basic level of implementation. Most are using AI capabilities embedded in existing tools rather than adopting dedicated, standalone systems.
Larger businesses are adopting AI more quickly than SMEs, while smaller firms are less likely to be using, or planning to adopt, dedicated AI tools.
Liza van der Merwe, Deloitte Access Economics Lead Partner at Deloitte New Zealand, says AI represents a major opportunity for productivity and growth, provided businesses are set up with the right foundations to adopt it effectively.
“Progress depends on building mindset, systems, and skills in tandem. When these come together, businesses are far better placed to turn AI into real productivity gains,” Van der Merwe said.
“For many organisations, the biggest gains are not from inventing new technologies but from using what already exists more effectively. That means integrating AI into day-to-day operations, supported by the right infrastructure, processes, and ways of working.”
“Ambition alone isn’t enough – without the right systems and capability, businesses risk getting stuck in experimentation rather than delivering meaningful results.”
The report also shows that AI investment is picking up pace, especially among newer firms. Businesses founded within the past two years expect to allocate more than half of their technology budgets to AI by FY27, pointing to a clear reallocation of investment priorities.
For Fairgray, the opportunity is evident, but the results are not automatic.
He said AI on its own will not improve productivity. The gains depend on how well organisations adopt and integrate it and whether they build the capability to use it effectively.
The report offers an early signal of what could be achieved and where future effort will need to be directed.