Today, we are publishing our FinTechNZ Manifesto 2026—a call for a more coordinated approach to the digital infrastructure that supports our economy.
Financial technology now plays a central role in how New Zealanders work, spend, save, invest and trade. Our sector generated $2.8 billion in revenue in 2024, with fintech exports forecast to reach $7.6 billion by 2028.
But we cannot take that momentum for granted.
We have identified four core challenges: a lack of unified vision and leadership for the digital economy; inadequate digital financial infrastructure; a slow, sequential approach to reform; and the risk of falling behind on real-time settlement and wholesale infrastructure.
We do not claim to have every answer. But as New Zealand’s established, non-partisan fintech industry body—representing banks, insurers, wealth managers, technology innovators, investors, regulators and policymakers—we are well placed to convene, initiate and, where needed, help lead the response.
Our Manifesto recommends three priorities:
- Appoint a Digital Finance Champion to develop and implement a unified vision.
- Prioritise investment in the digital infrastructure New Zealand needs.
- Accelerate reform through a cross-sector approach.
This means building on what we already have and what we have learned. It means aligning data standards, governance, security, customer protection and enablement across sectors; progressing open banking; advancing trusted digital identity and wallets; acting on real-time settlement; and strengthening international partnerships.
This is about reducing friction, increasing choice and ensuring New Zealand remains connected to global innovation, capital and opportunity.