New Zealand is already making its mark in innovation. Currently, we rank 25th in the Global Innovation Index(external link) with our lowest score of 45 for knowledge and technology outputs among 133 countries. These are numbers we can continue to grow if we expand on successful local and global strategies like using open source software. Open source is cost-effectively driving innovation, with the European Union (EU) reporting a cost-benefit ratio of 1:4(external link). Let’s explore how governments locally and globally are currently innovating by using open source software.
Efficient and transparent innovation
Estonia is recognised as the world’s most advanced digital society(external link). So, how did they get there? When Estonia left the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, they quickly established the means to modernise their economy. Part of this fast-tracking their online movement was using open source software and utilising the interoperability of X-Road. X-Road connects data from different systems and seamlessly integrates with both public and private sector services. Without being restrained by legacy systems, Estonia used open source software as it provides a tried and tested baseline without reinventing the wheel. Instead of struggling to connect different systems, X-Road worked seamlessly at the start.
Breaking knowledge silos
In 2018, Estonia and Finland connected their X-Road systems(external link) to share relevant data between the two countries. Since over 100,000 Estonian people commute to Finland, X-Road enables the two countries to improve processes for citizens and the public sector as they have the data needed to do so. Now, more than 20 other countries use X-Road as they recognise the potential of open source software and the benefit of interoperable systems.
In May 2021, the Estonian Parliament approved changes to the Estonian State Property Act(external link), meaning all software the state owns in whole or part, should be made publicly available. As a result, they have a public repository for government software, which promotes collaboration between government agencies and the wider developer community. Having a public repository breaks knowledge silos, improves operations and efficiency, and reduces duplication of work. Estonia’s not the only government using open source to innovate. In fact, in Switzerland(external link), the government is required to:
- use open source software
- reuse existing open source solutions
- and publish commissioned software under an open source licence.
Enhanced security and choice
France is also expanding the use of open source software in government as part of their IT strategies. Under their International Digital Strategy is the desire to reduce dependence on foreign tech giants. In France, the Ministry of Finance has over 200,000 users on Microsoft machines. Microsoft was phasing out the NT4 Domain Control protocols so it provided the Ministry of Finance an opportunity to align with their national IT strategies. They now use Samba AD, an open source project that reverse engineers the Microsoft AD protocols for their directory and identity management services. Using an open source solution means they can choose the:
- databases
- office suite
- cloud providers.
Open source gives them the choice as there’s no vendor lock-in, so they don’t need to align with the identity management layer in a particular cloud of their provider. At Catalyst, we’re proud to have supported the French Ministry of Finance to make this move. Because of the security and new features of Samba AD, they are the first French ministry to get a 5 out of 5 ANSI cybersecurity rating. That’s the power of open source – freedom, flexibility, and security working together.
One of the biggest challenges with proprietary software is forced obsolescence. For example, the rollout of Windows 11 means there will be no more support for older intel chipsets. If ministries don’t have to replace their hardware until it actually becomes obsolete, one ministry alone, would save up to 25 million Euros. Being reliant on a single stack forces an upgrade and limits choices.
Boosting the economy
In 2016, France and Germany called on the digital industry to invest in and make best use of open source software to enhance the digital transformation of the economy(external link). Since then, there has been a steady rise in economic growth and IT employment(external link). Plus, the Open Source Monitor Report 2023(external link), reports that 9 out of 10 public organisations in France use open source technologies.
Similarly, the UK strongly advocates for the use of open source in government and has created the Technology Code of Practice (TCoP)(external link). TCoP is a cross-government standard used for the Cabinet Office spend control process and the Local Digital Declaration. In fact, point three of TCoP ‘be open and use open source(external link)’, means the government must show they’ve considered both an open source option and publishing the code openly. Additionally, the UK formed Open Government(external link) in 2012 to promote the principles of transparency, accountability and public participation across the UK. These efforts have not only increased the use of open source across organisations, but saved costs on licensing fees, increased skill development, and contributed £13.59 billion in gross value add (GVA) to the UK economy.(external link)
Local wins with open source
Open source is something the New Zealand government has used before and is something that can continue to grow. One instance of this was with the COVID-19 financial support tool. When COVID first reared its head in New Zealand, it was essential to ensure financial advice and guidance for COVID-19 was accessible and that people would trust the validity of the content. Therefore, the government was very transparent about how that data was handled, about the code base, and purposefully chose to make it an open source application.
Open source has transformed how New Zealand councils access spatial data and how they can communicate. In 2021, Catalyst collaborated with the Otorohanga District Council (ODC) to provide accessible information about relevant to the community such as property valuations, district plans, and public water infrastructure. Trevor Penwarden, Information Officer at ODC, shares that: “Thanks to the power of open source and our relationship with Catalyst, we are now able to invest in developing features that we require, rather than paying licence fees to a vendor whose development roadmap is out of our control.”
As a response to the Christchurch earthquakes, the National Forward Works Viewer was created to coordinate responses across agencies. In 2023, Catalyst was proud to support the redevelopment of the open source solution to streamline communication and transparency across councils. Forward Works Viewer has now expanded to be a source of truth for councils and contractors to identify any clashes for upcoming work and to support the allocation of resources.
In 2024, the Wellington City Council announced the beta launch of the Underground Asset Register(external link), a data-sharing platform for underground infrastructure. The open source tool enables councils and contractors to improve planning and co-ordination as they have access to assets like waste water, electricity, and communication.
An innovative future for New Zealand
If we invest in open source, we can continue making strides to innovate. Just like how France, Switzerland, and Estonia use open source in their public sector to create trust, agency, and to work efficiently, we can too. We can share resources, reduce duplication, and enable collaboration to build efficient and resilient systems—for less.
In 2023, the New Zealand government spent over $12 billion on IT solutions but "siloed, ad hoc investment in technology”(external link) has caused inefficiencies across departments. As efforts are made to decrease spending and to streamline success, imagine the transformation open source software could make. If we continue down the path of innovation, what can we learn from how other countries are implementing open source? Whether it’s investing in core infrastructure, legislation, or local council projects, open source can pave the foundations for innovation. Contact us to discuss how open source can bring your ideas to life.
