Wellington-based cloud services provider Catalyst Cloud has been awarded an all-of-government cloud framework agreement with Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs.
Catalyst Cloud is also the first local cloud provider to be awarded an all-of-government cloud framework agreement. The agreement makes it easier for New Zealand government agencies to use cloud services from Catalyst Cloud through a more simplified procurement process, according to a report by CRN.com.au.
“The Cloud Framework Agreement is a major milestone allowing all New Zealand Government Agencies to procure cloud services from Catalyst Cloud quickly and easily, removing what has been a significant barrier to adopting local cloud for the New Zealand public sector. We are delighted to now have a level playing field with our overseas-owned counterparts, giving government agencies the opportunity to keep their applications and data at home, protected by our nation’s laws and data privacy regulations.” Catalyst Cloud chief executive Doug Dixon
Founded in 2014, Catalyst Cloud is NZ’s only locally-owned and operated cloud provider with three local data centre regions across the country. The company’s offerings are built on open source cloud software OpenStack. The other companies with cloud framework agreements with the New Zealand government include Amazon Web Services, SAP, TechnologyOne and Microsoft.
Catalyst Cloud counts public sector customers such as Electoral Commission and Māori Television as its customers. “This is something we are particularly proud of. As a Kiwi business, every dollar spent with Catalyst Cloud drives local innovation, talent and growth,” Dixon said.
“We believe it is vital for New Zealand to invest in our own cloud infrastructure, and Catalyst Cloud has a massive role to play in New Zealand’s future stability and prosperity. We welcome the Government’s decision to give government agencies the option to ‘back their own horse’, keeping their data and technology spend safely in Aotearoa on Kiwi owned cloud infrastructure.”
NZ Cloud adoption
In September, Amazon Web Services (AWS), one of the world’s leading cloud service providers plans to open an infrastructure region in Aotearoa, New Zealand in 2024 and will feature three availability zones.