It’s event season!
I’m keeping this month’s newsletter short and focused—highlighting key events, major conferences, international opportunities, and a few recent member updates. With just three months to go before regulated Open Banking arrives in New Zealand, interest in fintech is soaring.
We’re proud to present our upcoming pre-Singapore FinTech Festival webinar, “Gateway to Asia: Preparing NZ Fintechs for the Singapore Fintech Festival 2025,” delivered in partnership with NZTE—see more details below. If you’re attending Intersekt in Melbourne, we hope to see you there as well. And don’t miss the upgraded FinTechNZ Hui Taumata, now a 1.5-day event in Wellington on March 11–12, 2026. Planning is well underway; if you’re interested in speaking or sponsoring, please get in touch.
If you have questions about any of the events below, feel free to reach out.
Let’s get cracking!
Upcoming Industry Events
Check out all the exciting fintech events happening across the motu and around the world over the next six months. FinTechNZ and our members are partnering in or involved with these events, and we’d love to connect with you at one or all of these events.
Fintech Fringe Festival
Date: 9–10 September 2025
Location: London, United Kingdom
Fintech Week London and Fintech Fringe have merged.
Fintech Fringe Festival 2025 is where scaling fintechs get the insight, access, and connections to grow. Here’s what’s on across the programme, workshops, roundtables, socials – and how you can get involved.
Two days. Eight tracks. 150+ speakers. 1000+ attendees – the UK’s biggest event dedicated to scaling fintechs.
Conference details and registration
Financial Services Council Conference 2025
Date: 11–12 September 2025
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Join us at the FSC Conference for fintech demonstration sessions (led by Akahu), sector presentations on AI (Mark Lawrence) and Consumer Data Right (Niall Convery, Xero), and a Q&A panel facilitated by FinTechNZ. Expect two days of learning, networking, and sector updates.
FinTechNZ member offer:
Get 2-for-1 full access passes (including the Awards Dinner) using code FSC252FOR1.
Conference details and registration
Intersekt Conference 2025 & Australian Fintech Week
Date: 17–18 September 2025
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Intersekt is Australia’s premier fintech event, bringing together startups, scale-ups, investors, regulators, and industry leaders. Enjoy a full programme—including international briefings, mixers, Global Pitch Night, and an International Delegation Dinner.
FinTechNZ member offer:
Use code INTER800FNZL for discounted General Admission, including access to all main sessions and the delegation dinner (Welcome Party is an additional AUD $40).
More information and registration
Singapore FinTech Festival Webinar: Gateway to Asia
Date: 17 September 2025
Format: Online
Prepare for SFF 2025 with this pre-departure webinar, presented by NZTE and FinTechNZ. Get insights on Singapore’s fintech market, regulatory updates, networking tips, and hear from market and compliance experts. Highly recommended for anyone planning to attend SFF.
Financial Services Federation: Open Banking Forum
Date: 25 September 2025
Location: Auckland
The FSF Conference brings together financial services leaders to discuss innovation, transformation, and sector trends in New Zealand.
Financial Markets Law Conference
Date: 20 October 2025
Location: Auckland
Stay informed on the latest in financial markets regulation and compliance at this key industry event. Ticket and agenda information to follow.
Hong Kong FinTech Week & StartmeupHK Festival
Date: 3–7 November 2025
Location: Hong Kong
Hong Kong FinTech Week and StartmeupHK Festival join forces for their 10th anniversary, attracting 37,000+ attendees from over 100 economies. Experience the main conference, networking, and the latest in fintech, AI, Web3, and digital assets.
Singapore FinTech Festival 2025
Date: 12–14 November 2025
Location: Singapore Expo
Asia’s largest fintech event, bringing together global leaders, investors, and innovators. NZTE and FinTechNZ are coordinating a Kiwi delegation—express your interest to Jason or Erika Sirimanne (NZTE).
FinTech Hui Taumata 2026
Date: 11–12 March 2026
Location: Tākina Centre, Wellington
Now in its fourth year, the Hui moves to Wellington with a 1.5-day format. In partnership with Creative HQ, the Hui will feature a refreshed pitch competition, curated workshops, and a major networking focus.
FinTechNZ member offer: 2-for-1 registration.
Learn more and express your interest
Community Noticeboard
Polipay partners with NZ’s four largest banks
We’re pleased to see that POLi Pay has secured partnerships with all major banks, significantly strengthening its role in the nation’s open banking landscape. This collaboration means POLi can offer secure, real-time payments to a wider range of customers and merchants, making digital transactions faster and more accessible. It’s a strong example of how fintechs and established banks can work together to drive innovation and set new standards for payments in Aotearoa.
Read more
Youth and Perception Report
Recently, Lance Webb released a well-researched and considered report, written as part of his AcademyEX submission, focusing on the specific interests and behaviours of young and emerging adults (aged 18–35). The report does a great job identifying how this cohort engages with, perceives, and expects financial services in a digital economy, with a special lens on how to build trust. It finds that young and emerging adults are underserved by banks and fintechs, especially in digital experiences, and includes insights for better product and loyalty programme design, along with important cultural perspectives for Māori and Pasifika. It’s not often we see this level of insight into this demographic—highly recommended reading.
View/download the report from the FinTechNZ website.
Welcome to New Members
We’re thrilled to welcome Feijoa Kiwi, Sterling Finance, and Cashpoints NZ to the FinTechNZ community. Each brings unique expertise and fresh energy to our growing network. Feijoa Kiwi is known for its innovative approach to digital payments, Sterling Finance adds depth in lending and financial services, and Cashpoints NZ is championing accessible, customer-driven solutions.
If you have questions about any event, want to get involved, or have news to share, please reach out to me!
