FinTechNZ News: The countdown is on for the Hui…
Kia ora,
As I write this newsletter, the Hui is now just 11 days away, and the team and I are excited for what is shaping up to be our most ambitious and influential conference yet.
We made the conscious decision to move the Hui to Wellington because it directly supports our board strategy to build stronger startup and scale-up capability, while also bringing us closer to the government helping shape the future of finance.
We have also brought Wellington into the fold through our partnership with the city’s startup hub, Creative HQ. This year, we are integrating founders from their FinTech Lab into our always-popular Startup Pitch Breakfast, proudly brought to you by Kiwibank.
As for the rest of the programme, we have designed a more engaging, interactive main-day format with a stellar line-up of national and international speakers and panellists. Day one also expands the experience with a choose-your-adventure half-day, where you can opt into the new Insights Forum, followed by member-focused Strategy Roundtables, or join fintech site tours.
But we also have serious work to do. The theme, ‘Shaping the Future of Finance’, is not a throwaway line. Many of us believe this is a pivotal moment for Aotearoa New Zealand as we move from an open banking regime toward a pathway to open finance and, ultimately, an open data, digitally enabled economy.
Our job at the Hui is to bring together vision and execution across government, industry, and the wider community so that this future becomes a real opportunity and not a lost opportunity. As you review the theme and agenda, the standout speakers, sponsors, facilitators, and the strong representation across the ecosystem, I invite you to think about how you’ll use the Hui to keep our collective foot on the accelerator, turning conversations into practical action as we shape the future of finance.
You’ll find more on the Hui and other updates from the ecosystem below.
The countdown is on to the FinTechNZ Hui Taumata 2026!
We’re in the final lead-up to FinTechNZ Hui Taumata 2026, and this year’s programme is built for practical local action. Across 1.5 days in Wellington, Hui Taumata brings together fintech, banks, policymakers, regulators, and technology partners to tackle what’s next for Aotearoa’s financial system across Open Finance and Open Data, AI, payments, digital identity, and digital assets.
Day one (Wednesday 11 March) is a choose-your-pathway day, designed to help delegates connect before the Main Hui day. You can opt into tours and briefings across Wellington, visiting Booster, Xero, and Sharesies, getting close to the organisations building and enabling fintech in Aotearoa and meeting other attendees in a smaller-group format. Or you can join the Insights Forum, which brings the ecosystem into the room for a focused, action-oriented discussion.
The Insights Forum features a panel discussion moderated by Janine Grainger (ex CEO, Easy Crypto, FinTechNZ Board) with panellists Dr Scott Farrell (King & Wood Mallesons), Nicole Sandler (Ubyx), Anton Ruddenklau (KPMG International), Jerome Faury (Immersve), Adam Gagen (Revolut), Richard (Rich) Tong (TNE.ai), Steve Wiggins (Payments NZ), Jamie Leach (Raidiam), and Graeme Muller (Tech New Zealand). Following the panel discusssion facilitated breakout-style discussions turn the big themes into shared priorities and next steps, before the day wraps with networking drinks.
Day two (Thursday 12 March) is the Main Hui Taumata day, and it’s shaping up to be a packed, action-oriented day. Starting bright and early with the Kiwibank Start Up Pitch Breakfast, featuring pitches from Hello Cashflow, Nashrr, Tākoha, COUNT, and Feijoa (learn more about these companies in our feature below), followed by registration and morning networking. The formal programme then moves into a welcome from us and a Ministerial Address from Hon Scott Simpson.
From there, Visa sets the scene with an introduction from Anthony Diack and a keynote from Anthony Jones on The Rise of Agentic Commerce, exploring how AI is reshaping commerce and payments. Next is Reflections in Action: Building Momentum toward Open Finance and Open Data, featuring Samantha Barrass (FMA) and Bryan Chapple (Commerce Commission), moderated by Tina Groark (The Middleware Group).
After morning tea, delegates choose from Masterclasses Round One (Digital Assets and Tokenisation with Chapman Tripp & KPMG, Modernising Payments with Payments NZ, or Creating Successful Fintech Partnerships with Hudson Gavin Martin). Masterclasses Round Two includes Scaling Up with NZ FinTech Fund, Rebuilding Finance with Swyftx New Zealand, Trust by Design with NEC, or Agentic Commerce with Visa, before lunch.
The afternoon includes the Pitch Breakfast winner announcement, a second Ministerial Address from Hon Nicola Willis, Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment’s (MBIE) update on Consumer Data Right with Alan Carnaby and Lisa Ringleff, plus keynotes from Dr Scott Farrell and Richard (Rich) Tong, and the panel Payments: From Global Shifts to Local Action. After afternoon tea, the day features an International Keynote led by Revolut, followed by From KYC to Continuous Trust, moderated by Andy Higgs, with panellists Huw Davies (Ozone API), Jerome Faury (Immersve), and Konstantin Poptodorov (LexisNexis Risk Solutions). The programme then turns to digital assets with Jason Titman (Swyftx) before closing with networking.
Thank you to all our sponsors and speakers for helping make this happen. We look forward to seeing you there.
Hui Taumata Session Spotlight: Kiwibank Startup Pitch Breakfast
Kicking off the Main Hui Taumata is the Kiwibank Start Up Pitch Breakfast. This is a sharp, high-energy window into what early-stage founders are building, and the real-world problems they are tackling across Aotearoa’s financial system.
The session features pre‑revenue fintechs from the 2026 Creative HQ Fintech Accelerator cohort pitching to an industry audience. You’ll hear from Hello Cashflow, a product designed to connect to accounting software and give businesses clearer financial visibility and protection. Nashrr will pitch as New Zealand’s first all‑in‑one halal fintech platform. Tākoha brings a kaupapa Māori approach, supporting whānau asset management with digital tools that enable transparent governance and intergenerational stewardship of Māori land interests. COUNT will share its vision for an AI-native accounting platform built to give NZ small and medium businesses simple, powerful financial clarity. And Feijoa will pitch a smart app helping Kiwis grow their KiwiSaver with every purchase.
A Best Pitch will be selected by a judging panel including Campbell Maclachlan (Founder, Goldie) and Kate Eaglen (Head of Investments, Risk and Compliance, New Zealand Fintech Fund). The session opens with Joanna Greaves (GM Business Product and Performance, Kiwibank).
If you want to meet founders early, spot partnership opportunities, or see what’s coming next, this is the session to arrive for.
There’s still time to get your Hui Taumata tickets! Secure your spot here.
Last year’s Pitch Breakfast winner, Campbell Maclachlan (Founder, Goldie)
A special offer from our partners Swyftx
Swyftx are proud to be official partners of the FinTechNZ Hui Taumata 2026.
They recently joined forces with Easy Crypto to become NZ’s largest cryptocurrency platform offering more coins, low fees, the latest trading tools and 24/7 customer support plus much more.
They’d like to welcome new customers with a special $20 BTC sign up bonus
To take up this offer, sign up here!
Regulatory updates
RBNZ opens public consultation about “Keeping Cash Local”
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua has opened a new public consultation, Keeping Cash Local, asking New Zealanders about access to cash services — withdrawing cash, depositing cash, and getting change. The Reserve Bank proposes walkable access in urban areas, reasonable driving distance in rural areas, free services, and no unreasonable wait times. Consultation is open for six weeks and closes Friday 10 April 2026.
Competition Matters Conference 2026
The Commerce Commission’s Competition Matters Conference is happening on Thursday 14 May 2026 at the New Zealand International Convention Centre, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Built around the theme “Driving competition for a prosperous future,” the day will explore why competition matters for New Zealand’s economic performance and how well-designed policy can accelerate productivity and growth. The programme features speakers and panellists from across government, the OECD, and the business community, with audience Q&A and discussion throughout. Early bird pricing ends 31 March 2026.
Welcome to our new members
A warm welcome to our newest FinTechNZ members: Icarus Wealth Limited, KinWise NZ, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, and National Capital Limited. It is great to have you on board!
The FinTechNZ Board and I look forward to meeting you in person and working with you to move Aotearoa New Zealand’s fintech future forward.
Ngā mihi nui,
Jason Roberts
Executive Director
Read full news here: FinTechNZ News: Wellington in focus 41 days to go until the Hui Taumata