[4] The purpose of the Digital Economy and Communications portfolio was to simplify and streamline digital workstreams across the New Zealand government, as well as to regulate the telecommunications and postal sectors, broadband infrastructure, and the radio spectrum.

[5][6] Those regulatory functions had previously been under the Minister of Communications and Information Technology.

The portfolio was retitled with a refocused set of responsibilities after the 2023 general election.

The minister shares responsibility for cyber security matters with the minister responsible for the Government Communications Security Bureau.

[4] The minister is responsible for the Digital Executive Board, which "leads a whole-of-system approach to transform digital public services for New Zealand.