NZ business leaders show optimism for 2026, study says

According to Datacom’s Business Outlook 2026 survey, several business leaders in New Zealand are showing signs of renewed optimism. The study, which surveyed 200 executives from organisations with more than 100 employees, found that 65% expect economic conditions to improve over the next 12 months.

Peter Nelson, Datacom New Zealand’s managing director, notes that the shift is less about outright confidence and more about readiness to act: “Leaders are cautiously moving from defensive strategies to growth-oriented initiatives. Investment appetite is increasing, even if risk awareness remains high.”

Driving business growth is the top objective for 2026, highlighted by 35% of respondents. However, executives continue to emphasise cost management, reflecting an ongoing need to balance expansion with operational discipline. Nelson said, “Companies are looking to grow, but they’re doing so strategically—ensuring that investments are targeted and sustainable.”

Technology investment is at the forefront of business strategy, with artificial intelligence identified as the leading opportunity for 2026 by 51% of leaders. Data optimisation and automation are also high on the agenda, signalling a transition from small-scale pilots to broader deployment.

Louise Compagnone, Datacom’s director of AI, observes that the focus has shifted: “The conversation is evolving from whether to adopt AI to how to deploy it effectively across the organisation. Leaders are starting to think strategically about scaling AI initiatives.”

Two-thirds of executives still identify economic instability as a primary concern, while cyber threats are increasingly prevalent—48% of organisations reported incidents over the past year. Nelson cautions that the drop in perceived cyber risk may indicate complacency: “Even with growing optimism, businesses must maintain vigilance to protect their operations.”