AI Agents Proposed to Enhance Resilience in NZ Supply Chains

• •New Zealand's supply chains are highly vulnerable to geopolitical disruptions.
• •AI agents are being explored to automate and enhance procurement processes.
• •87% of New Zealand exporters faced increased shipping costs in the past year.

In 2026, New Zealand's supply chains faced significant disruptions due to geopolitical events, including Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which raised oil prices above $100 per barrel and increased shipping costs for 87% of exporters. The country's economy, heavily reliant on exports, is vulnerable to such shocks, prompting discussions on improving procurement processes. New AI technologies, termed agentic AI, are being explored to automate procurement tasks, including supplier discovery and risk monitoring. These systems can significantly reduce the time required to identify and contract alternative suppliers during disruptions. The Boston Consulting Group's 2026 Tech Procurement Study indicates that many enterprises are already piloting these AI systems. The urgency for New Zealand businesses to adopt these technologies is emphasized, as manual processes can take weeks to respond to supply chain issues.