Kia ora,
As many will know, the recent changes announced by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), introducing free and uncapped API calls under the new regime, will take effect from 1 December. For many fintechs, intermediaries, and others, this is a cause for celebration. It not only levels the playing field within New Zealand but also aligns us with nearly all jurisdictions that have adopted the same stance, with the notable exception of the USA.
Last Friday, on RNZ’s Nine til Noon, Kathryn Ryan hosted an excellent interview with FinTechNZ members Josh Daniell (Akahu) and James Wigglesworth (PocketSmith), which captured the core issues and benefits this decision brings to the sector. Listen here
However, a challenge remains. While it does not require immediate resolution, the decision presents a complex market‑investment dilemma: how do we create incentives for the ongoing development of next‑generation, API‑driven products and services?
Looking back, many will recall the introduction of EFTPOS — an innovation where New Zealand excelled. It delivered cost savings for banks (including the eventual abolition of cheques) and, importantly, a great customer experience via a “free” service quickly embraced by consumers. Yet despite this progressive start, the system stagnated and saw limited ongoing investment in that channel.
One can’t help but wonder whether, 35 years on, we might have seen more advanced innovation. For example, EFTPOS PayWave capability might have developed as its own independent rail, rather than becoming an opportunity ultimately captured by the Visa and Mastercard networks. Perhaps new forms of account‑to‑account payment capability — and more — would have emerged.
The question we must ask is this: if New Zealand aims to be a next‑generation, globally renowned fintech nation — recapturing the potential we demonstrated in the 1990s — should we rethink how we provide incentives for sustained investment in a more dynamic landscape that will enable API capabilities? These will likely be catalysts for future innovation and growth. This important topic will be explored further at our upcoming Hui Taumata.
In this issue:
- Annual Meeting online: Wednesday 5 November, 4.00pm (register/proxy details inside)
- Consumer Data Right: MBIE update on API fees; open banking RNZ interview with Josh Daniell and James Wigglesworth
- Wrap up of our Tokenisation Roundtable
- Latest news about the FinTechNZ Hui Taumata
- Singapore FinTech Festival: NZ delegation coordination
and so much more!
FinTechNZ Updates
2025 Annual Meeting
It’s that time of year — Executive Council elections are in full swing, and our Annual Meeting is fast approaching. With every hello comes some goodbyes, and I want to thank the core people who’ve kept our kaupapa moving and are now concluding their terms:
- Andrew Dentice (Hudson Gavin Martin) — three terms since 2019
- Robbie Taylor (Reserve Bank of New Zealand) — two terms since 2021
- Holly Rennie (Deloitte) — one term since 2023
Special mention to the driving force behind the inception of FinTechNZ as an NZTech community group, Mitchell Pham, who recently departed the NZTech Group board after over nine years of service. Mitchell chaired both the NZTech and FinTechNZ boards and helped lead the InsurTechNZ working group, which ultimately grew into a dedicated community under the NZTech umbrella. Ngā mihi, Mitchell.
Our Annual Meeting will be held online on 5 November. If you wish to attend, please register here. Members, if you are unable to attend, please email your proxy; unless you specify otherwise, we will assume your proxy is for the Chair.
FinTechNZ Hui Taumata momentum is building
Our Hui Taumata will take place in Wellington on 11–12 March 2026, with a refreshed 1.5‑day format designed to deepen engagement across startups, scale‑ups, and government. Launch special tickets are now on sale.
We’re delighted to announce our MC: Vanessa Ronan‑Pearce. Vanessa brings over 20 years’ experience working with leading entrepreneurs, global thought leaders, and organisations to accelerate purposeful innovation, brands, and business. She is Head of Marketing and Communications at Payments NZ, where she leads brand, marketing and communications, contributes to modernising future payments systems, and supports the development of digital identity frameworks.
We also welcome Chapman Tripp as a sponsor. They will host a half‑day Government and Industry Roundtable on day one, bringing together regulators and agencies — including ComCom, RBNZ, DIA, MBIE and the FMA — alongside fintech leaders. The session will focus on practical pathways for competition, data sharing, digital identity, payments, and enabling infrastructure/middleware, with outputs feeding into day‑two discussions.
More programme details, speakers, and partner announcements are coming soon.
Singapore FinTech Festival – Join the NZ crew
We’re coordinating a Kiwi delegation to the Singapore FinTech Festival. The focus of this year’s festival aligns well with our 2026 Hui themes, including on‑chain finance (stablecoins), agentic commerce, payments innovation, and digital identity.
Keen to join the delegation? Get in touch with Jason.
Inside Hong Kong & Singapore: A Founder’s Tactical Guide to Entering Asia
Founder Advantage Asia is hosting a tactical prep session for NZ founders, venture builders, and industry officials heading to Hong Kong FinTech Week or SFF for the first time. Drawing on 20 years’ in‑market operating experience, the session focuses on how Hong Kong and Singapore interpret foreign founders, often the difference between sponsorship/opportunity vs. well‑meaning meetings. Only 10 spots are available.
Register your interest here
Policy and Advocacy
Open Banking is coming!
As mentioned in the intro, it’s also great to see the public conversation about regulated open banking building. FinTechNZ members Josh Daniell (Akahu) and James Wigglesworth (PocketSmith) joined RNZ’s Nine til Noon to discuss the new regulations.
CDR/CoPD Timing – Open Banking Countdown
The much‑anticipated era of regulated Open Banking begins on 1 December with ANZ, ASB, BNZ and Westpac, with Kiwibank to follow in May 2026. This is a major step forward for Aotearoa’s financial innovation — and we’re excited to go on this journey with you. We’ll share details as they’re confirmed, and Open Banking will feature prominently at the Hui Taumata alongside contributions from FMA, RBNZ, ComCom and DIA.
CoFR Regulatory Initiatives Calendar
If you want a clear view of what’s coming, the Regulatory Initiatives Calendar is your best single source. It maps planned regulatory changes across New Zealand’s financial system so you can see key timelines at a glance, anticipate impacts on fintech products and compliance, sequence delivery roadmaps and budget for change, and plan stakeholder engagement with the right agencies at the right time. It’s a practical way to reduce surprises and align your team around the next 6–18 months of policy and regulatory activity.
Tokenisation: FinTechNZ x BlockchainNZ Joint Roundtable
Thanks to everyone who joined our discovery session to inform sector input into the FMA’s consultation on tokenisation in financial markets. This is a significant topic for our ecosystem and will remain a focus going forward. We’re developing a coordinated group submission and also encourage individual submissions. If you’d like to participate in the group response, please contact Jason. Our collaboration with BlockchainNZ is ongoing — stay tuned for our next joint event in late November.
Submissions are requested by 30 October here.
Chapman Tripp – The banking industy: A look ahead
Keeping an eye on industry shifts is essential. Chapman Tripp’s latest analysis offers a strategic look ahead at the key drivers of change for New Zealand banking, providing useful context for board discussions, executive planning, and product roadmaps. Expect the Chapman Tripp team to touch on these insights at the Hui Taumata.
Community Noticeboard
Payments NZ “Making Payments Safer” survey
Help build a clearer picture of how fraud and scam prevention is being tackled across Aotearoa. Insights will inform capability gaps, innovation opportunities, and areas for cross‑industry collaboration. Approx. 7–10 minutes.
Wellington Fintech Meetup (Creative HQ)
Creative HQ is kicking off the Fintech Welly Meetup — a new community gathering for founders, investors, operators and partners to connect, collaborate and grow Wellington’s fintech ecosystem.
When: Monday 18 November 2025, from 5:00pm (panel 5:30pm)
Venue: Creative HQ, Level 1, 7 Dixon Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Theme: “Secrets to Success (and Failure)” — candid lessons from local leaders on building (and rebuilding) fintech ventures
Speakers: Auriga Martin (Farm Focus), Emma Geard (MinterEllisonRuddWatts), James Fuller (Hnry), Mark White‑Robinson (Feijoa), Troy Hammond (Talent Army)
Register here
New Member Spotlight
Is your financial institution losing valuable leads to digital friction?
We’re welcoming Sandstone Technology, our newest member, who will share their exclusive market knowledge based on an analysis of 108 financial institutions across the competitive Australian market.
Register for the session to get the 3-Step Guide (with takeaways to apply to the NZ market) and learn a practical automation approach designed to close your digital gaps and accelerate customer growth.
Can’t attend? Register anyway and they’ll send you the recording.
Looking Ahead
We’re keeping the focus on what matters for our community over the next quarter: Open Banking, coordinated policy input, strong governance process and a standout Hui Taumata in Wellington.
If you want to be involved, we’d love to hear from you.
Ngā mihi nui,
Jason Roberts
Executive Director
Read full news here: CDR updates, Hui Taumata, SFF delegation