As autumn settles in across Aotearoa, we’re celebrating an exciting month for our sector. The FinTechNZ Hui Taumata 2025 brought together innovators, regulators, and industry leaders for a day of bold conversations and transformative insights.
The presence of the new Minister for Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hon. Scott Simpson, underscored the government’s commitment to our sector, while discussions around open banking and CDR legislation highlighted the exciting opportunities ahead.
With CDR legislation on the horizon and the Fintech Sandbox now launched, we’re witnessing the foundations being laid for the next phase of growth and innovation in our sector.
💡 Highlights from the Hui Taumata
The FinTechNZ Hui Taumata brought together the brightest minds in New Zealand’s fintech sector at Shed 10 in Auckland. The hui showcased our sector’s commitment to innovation in what truly is a watershed year for fintech in Aotearoa.
Check out our three highlights below. If you’re after some snaps from the day, check those out here.
🏆 Hudson Gavin Martin Start-up Pitch Breakfast
Six innovative startups drawn from our ASX Innovation Zone competed for the title of “2025 FinTechNZ Start-up of the Year.” The competition showcased the vibrant pipeline of fintech innovation in New Zealand and the importance of supporting early-stage companies. Congratulations to our winner Goldie!
🌐 Global Payments Innovation
Anthony Jones from Visa delivered an insightful session on the evolution of global payment systems and the opportunities for New Zealand in this rapidly changing landscape. Their presentation highlighted how emerging technologies are reshaping consumer expectations and how local fintech companies can leverage these trends to create innovative solutions with global reach.
Check out a recap of Anthony’s presentation here.
💲 USA Fintech Perspective
James Burnes, CEO of Ministry of Awesome and Chief Operating Partner of their Venture Studio, provided valuable insights in his keynote “Innovating for Impact – Integrating New Market Opportunities (USA lens).” His presentation explored how New Zealand can learn from the US’s industry-led approach to fintech innovation, offering practical strategies for scaling solutions and embracing technology to create future-focused opportunities in our local ecosystem.
Check a recap of James’s and other’s presentations here.
Thanks to our sponsors
The success of Hui Taumata 2025 would not have been possible without our sponsors: Visa (Diamond Sponsor), Banzpay and Paloma (Platinum Sponsors), MinterEllisonRuddWatts, ASX, KPMG, AWS, ANZ, DSG, Mosaic, Revolut, Fiskil, PAYMTS and Constantinople (Gold Sponsors), Hudson Gavin Martin (Start-up Pitch Breakfast), Mambu (Pre-Hui Workshop), Middleware (Lanyards) and all the exhibitors on the day.
Keen to be part of the 2026 FintechNZ Hui? Our team are already planning next year’s event. Register your interest as a sponsor, speaker or attendee and be part of this special day for our community.
🤝 Industry Updates
Continued Ministerial engagement
The new Minister for Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hon. Scott Simpson joined us at the Hui, engaging with industry leaders and reinforcing the government’s commitment to supporting fintech growth. His support for initiatives like the Fintech Sandbox run by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) demonstrates a collaborative approach to fintech sector development.
Read his full speech from the hui here.
Hon. Scott Simpson (Middle) with Dr Bill Roberts (Left) and Jason Roberts (Right), at the FinTechNZ Hui Taumata
Digital Mortgage Innovation – The Value of Partnership
FinTechNZ members Akahu, illion, and Westpac have partnered with Dosh to create a streamlined digital mortgage solution offering quick applications, potential rate discounts, and lifetime loyalty cashbacks.
“This is a key example of initiatives that will launch as open banking develops in New Zealand,” notes Westpac’s Helen Ryder.
Find out more about the partnership here.
Swyftx Acquires Easy Crypto NZ
Australian crypto broker Swyftx has acquired New Zealand’s Easy Crypto, with both citing positive US regulatory shifts as beneficial. FinTechNZ Executive Council member Janine Grainger, Easy Crypto’s CEO, called it a “natural fit” creating a regional crypto powerhouse.
Learn more about the acquisition.
FMA Unveils Outcomes-Focused Regulatory Approach
The FMA has announced a new regulatory approach focusing on end results rather than strict compliance. Starting in 2025, this framework emphasizes seven key outcomes including fair services, market resilience, and innovation. The FMA will publish an annual Financial Conduct Report outlining priorities and market risks to better support New Zealand’s financial ecosystem.
👋 Welcome to our new members
We’re delighted to welcome ten new members to our growing community this month. We’re thrilled to have Afterburner AI, Bolt NZ, Extraordinary, Flamingo, Kiwibank, Mambu, Mastercard, Static Technologies, Western Union and Zoho join our ecosystem.
Look out for this month’s new member spotlight on Bolt NZ below.
🔦 New member spotlight
BoltNZ joins FinTechNZ, advancing their mission to deliver simple, secure financial solutions to all Kiwis. They’re committed to promoting financial inclusion through proven technology, smart business products, and their innovative app.
Click here to see what’s on its way and follow them on LinkedIn for the latest updates.
🔎 Looking ahead
FinTechNZ remains committed to supporting bold action and innovation as we progress through this watershed year. The insights from the Hui Taumata will contribute to our policy advocacy, partnership development, and promotion of NZ fintech excellence.
Stay tuned for our upcoming events including the Fintech for Fintech Mini Hui and Growth Capital Summit. We’re also proud to support the wider NZ fintech ecosystem through initiatives such as Creative HQ’s Fintech Lab and ongoing policy advocacy, as well as a variety of community gatherings such as roundtables, networking sessions, working groups, and focused workshops.
We’re still planning events for 2025 and would love the input of our community. If you would like to collaborate, please reach out to Jason.
Thank you again for supporting and getting behind the fintech community in Aotearoa/NZ. We look forward to working with you throughout 2025. Please free to reach out anytime, it’s always good to hear and understand your views.
Ngā mihi nui,
Jason Roberts
Executive Director
