Kia ora,
I know most of us are frantically tying up loose ends in these final workdays of the year, so I’ll keep this short.
The year might have started with “survive to ’25,” but it’s ending with “fix it in ’26.” Despite headwinds, our fintech community has kept growing and delivering real wins.
I still remember talking with Kris Faafoi six years ago when we first began pushing for Open Banking. Seeing that now come to life is a huge milestone and a genuine win for the sector. Congratulations to everyone involved: founders, policymakers, regulators, investors, incumbents, and supporters. The framework we’ve ended up with feels right for Aotearoa. There’s still a long road to a fully digitised economy, but we’re making clear progress.
What continues to set Aotearoa apart is our size, our connections, and our willingness to collaborate. Those strengths matter most when tackling big challenges.
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Last financial year saw a dip in fintech investment (around $20m, excluding family offices, according to the 2025 TIN Report). This year, there are encouraging signs of a rebound — Hnry’s recent $30m raise is a strong signal that investors still back solid propositions with clear value. More on that further on.
Another highlight has been the scale of collaboration and innovation: partnerships and ventures across BlinkPay, Dosh, Wych, and Centrapay; the CreativeHQ FinTech Lab; the FMA Sandbox; support from GridAKL; collaborations with our fellow Tech New Zealand Communities and initiatives; Digital Identity New Zealand (DINZ), BlockchainNZ and Techweek; the Fintech Festival; the Auckland Fintech Expo, and a stack of private events. It’s been an action‑packed year.
Looking back even three years, the momentum is remarkable. I can’t wait to celebrate it at next year’s expanded Hui Taumata, more on that below.
On a personal note, thank you for the support, wisdom, and enthusiasm you’ve shared with the wider community and me this year. It’s a privilege to be on this journey with you.
Summer holidays are calling. I’ll be in the garage on a few projects and grabbing some sunshine. Hope you get time to relax with friends and whānau.
Hui Taumata Updates
The countdown is on to FinTechNZ Hui Taumata 2026, 11–12 March at Tākina, Wellington. We’re bringing together leaders from government, industry, and technology to explore how Aotearoa New Zealand can shape the future of finance.
We begin with Touchdown Day on Tuesday, 11 March. Delegates can choose their own experience:
- Insights Forum: Shaping Aotearoa’s Open Finance Future — a high‑impact roundtable with senior national and international leaders focused on accelerating our Open Finance and Open Data journey. The Forum is already close to capacity, so get in quick if this is something you’re passionate about!
- Ecosystem tours: Explore Wellington’s fintech and innovation scene with visits to Xero and Booster, plus an opportunity to meet with Sharesies Co‑founder and CEO Leighton Roberts and his leadership team.
The main Hui on Wednesday 12 March features keynotes from Visa’s Anthony Jones and Swyftx CEO Jason Titman, alongside sessions on open finance, digital assets, AI, and innovation. Expect two days of bold ideas, collaboration, and connection, setting direction for New Zealand’s fintech future and strengthening the community driving it.
This is our most ambitious Hui yet. We’ve expanded the format to include the Insights Forum and fintech site visits. We’re welcoming impactful speakers from the USA, UK, Singapore, Australia, and across Aotearoa. Sponsor support is now fully sold out.
The agenda focuses on sector activation and a practical path toward Open Banking/Open Finance. Hot topics include AI and agentic commerce, stablecoins and tokenisation, regulatory impact, digital identity, real‑time payments, cross‑border commerce, quantum readiness, fintech acceleration, and VC funding. You’ll meet representatives from core government agencies, ministers from across the aisle, leading analysts and report writers, fintechs, tech companies, incumbents, VC funders — and you’ll reconnect with friends and colleagues across the community.
I’ve recorded a brief overview video and will share updated versions soon.
Speaker Spotlight: Anthony Jones, Vice President – Head of Product & Solutions, Oceania at Visa
Anthony Jones leads Visa’s Product & Solutions organisation across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, shaping the region’s payments strategy and driving innovation across digital commerce, tokenisation, and AI‑powered experiences.
At FinTechNZ Hui Taumata 2026, Anthony will deliver the opening keynote, The Rise of Agentic Commerce – How AI is Rewriting the Rules of Finance. He’ll explore how artificial intelligence is ushering in a new era of “agentic commerce,” where AI agents can negotiate, transact, and autonomously execute financial decisions.
Drawing on Visa’s global perspective, Anthony will unpack how intelligent systems are transforming the flow of value across the economy — from real‑time payments to personalised financial services — and what this evolution means for business, regulation, and trust. He’ll also discuss how Aotearoa New Zealand can prepare for this shift and harness AI to build a more connected, efficient, and inclusive digital economy.
🎟️ Early Bird Tickets are available until 11 February 2026, get yours here
Community Noticeboard
Tech New Zealand Launch
Last week marked an exciting milestone for our ecosystem — NZTech and the Tech Alliance came together as Tech New Zealand, creating one unified voice for technology across Aotearoa.
FinTechNZ is proud to be part of this connected network of 16 communities working together to strengthen our tech sector and drive positive impact across the motu. This evolution gives us greater collective influence while maintaining the specialist focus that makes each community strong. Together, we’re ensuring technology serves our people, our places, and our future.
Learn more about Tech New Zealand
Two Kaupapa Māori research papers released to fill gaps in sector data
The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) – Te Mana Tātai Hokohoko has released two groundbreaking Kaupapa Māori research papers — its first major step toward better understanding the experiences of Māori consumers and providers in Aotearoa New Zealand’s financial markets. The reports, Matangirua Research Wānanga and He Kākahu Whenua, explore Māori perspectives on investment, savings, and innovation in financial services. Together, they highlight the importance of embedding te ao Māori values, collective decision‑making, and Māori Data Sovereignty in the sector to build a more inclusive, equitable, and trusted financial system for all.
Check out the research here
iGoDirect Brings Instant Web‑to‑Wallet Payments to NZ
Australasian payments and rewards leader iGoDirect has launched in New Zealand, introducing its innovative web‑to‑wallet technology that delivers fully branded digital Visa rewards directly to Apple or Google wallets. The platform eliminates physical cards and third‑party apps, offering instant, sustainable, and seamless digital experiences for employees and customers. As the only provider of its kind in New Zealand, iGoDirect is set to transform the country’s $2.25 billion rewards market by enabling Kiwi businesses to boost loyalty, engagement, and efficiency through digital‑first innovation.
Learn more about the launch here
David vs Goliath: The Montoux Story
In a modern David‑versus‑Goliath story, Kiwi insurtech Montoux faces legal action from global finance technology giant FIS Global, after winning major international clients from its decades‑old actuarial modelling platform. Founded in Lyall Bay, Montoux modernised life insurance analytics through AI and automation, challenging industry monopolies. The lawsuit forced the company into liquidation, sparking debate about corporate power and competition in fintech. Despite setbacks, Montoux’s technology lives on — and its story has become a rallying point for innovators pushing back against incumbents.
Kiwi companies making big moves
Two kiwi companies have made big moves both here at home and internationally. Here at home Hnry has raised more than $30m in an oversubscribed round led by Movac, with Icehouse increasing its stake. Read more about that here. Internationally, Valocity has been recognised as International Fintech of the year at the India Fintech Awards. Read their release here.
Meri Kirihimete!
Ngā mihi nui,
Jason Roberts
Executive Director
Read full news here: December FinTechNZ: Momentum into ’26: SFF insights + Hui announcements