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Explore our one-day conference programme filled with inspiring keynote presentations, engaging panel discussions, and plenty of networking opportunities in the company of digital identity leaders from Aotearoa and around the world.
Our one-day programme features keynote presentations, panel discussions, roundtables and more.
Drawn from our Innovation Zone sponsors, five standout Fintech’s will compete for the title of ‘2025 FinTechNZ Start up of the Year.’ Each contender will present their innovative solutions to the entire Hui audience, followed by a dynamic quick fireside chat. Facilitated by CreativeHQ CEO Catherine Jones, it’s a fantastic opportunity to see the latest in fintech innovation and support emerging leaders in the industry.
Conference registration, coffee and networking with exhibitors
Mihi Whakatau
We’re delighted to welcome back Vanessa, Head of Marketing and Communications, PaymentsNZ, as our host for the day.
Hon Scott Simpson
Jason Roberts, Executive Director, FinTechNZ
Jason will provide a quick update on the theme of the conference – a watershed year and provide an overview of sector updates and FiNtechNZ direction. It is not the time to take the foot off the accelerator just because of current economic shifts, indeed this is an opportunity and if ever this was a year to be bold- this is one.
Dr Bill Roberts, Fellow, University of Cambridge Judge Business School Centre
Anthony Jones, Head of Consumer Solutions, Visa
As digital finance continues to evolve, what’s next for money, payments, and digital assets? This session brings together leaders from DSG, CentraPay, and PAYMTS to explore the latest innovations shaping the financial landscape.
Key discussion points include:
Speakers
MC: Janine Grainer | CEO, Easy Crypto
Ryan Johnson-Hunt | CEO, DSG
Will Miao | CTO, CentraPay
Paul MacDonald | CEO, PAYMTS
2025 looks to be the year we finally see the CDR legislation confirmed—an essential milestone for driving innovation and competition in New Zealand’s financial sector.
MC’d by Tracey Berry (Partner, Mosaic & Board Member, Financial Markets Authority), hear from sector leaders Jeremy Muir (Partner, Minter Ellison Rudd Watts), Dr John Small (Chair, Commerce Commission) and Daniel Trinder (Executive Director – Strategy & Design, Financial Markets Authority) as they outline the key changes ahead, the challenges we face, and the initiatives, like the new FinTech sandbox, designed to foster innovative solutions. This session will provide critical insights into the future of financial services in Aotearoa.
As open banking gains traction, many businesses and consumers remain uncertain about what it means for them and how it delivers real value. In an era of eroding trust in financial services, how can providers build confidence and demonstrate meaningful benefits?
This session brings together industry leaders from Constantinople, Revolut, and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand to explore national and international perspectives on open banking, digital transformation, and the evolving role of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).
Facilitator
Kate Eaglen, Head of Investments – Risk and Compliance, NZFintechFund
Speakers
Melissa Macfarlane, Country Lead, New Zealand, Constantinople
Georgia Grange, Head of New Zealand, Revolut
Robbie Taylor, Manager, Money and Cash Policy, Reserve Bank of New Zealand
Coco Armstrong, Regulatory Strategy & Operations Lead, Fiskil
Nick Frandsen, Co-Founder & CEO, Paloma
James Burnes, CEO, Ministry of Awesome
| AI in Fintech: Where is it working now and what’s next | Nick Fransden, Co-founder & CEO, Paloma |
| Designating the interbank payment network to facilitate open banking (and what else the ComCom is thinking about) | Jennifer Hambleton, Partner, MinterEllisonRuddWatts |
| Tokenisation of real world assets | Ryan Johnson-Hunt, CEO, DSG |
| Interoperability: buzz concept or fundamental? | Emilie McCallum, Partner, Mosaic FSI |
| Beyond band-aids: Why ‘tech upgrades’ should be transformational, not transactional | Joel McIntosh, Product Lead, Constantinople |
| Customer Experience in Financial Services: Enhancing through Technology | Cathrin Edelmann, Business Development Leader & Andy Brabant, Business Development Leader |
| The future of open banking | Dr Bill Roberts, Fellow, University of Cambridge Judge Business School Centre |
| Free range discussion from payments-101 to making a million. What can an API Provider and your peers in the FinTech community help you on? | David Thorpe, Senior Manager – Open banking, ANZ |
| Stablecoins in the New Zealand Context | Tony Rae, General Manager, Banzpay & Niju James, Head of Cards and Payments |
| Interchange Fee Cuts: A Challenge or an Opportunity for Fintechs? | Gary Cobain, CEO, PokitPal & Ankit Mehta, Enterprise Solutions Manager, PokitPal |
| Meet the government | representative from FMA, RBNZ and Commerce Commission |
| AI in Fintech: Where is it working now and what’s next | Nick Fransden, Co-founder & CEO, Paloma |
| Designating the interbank payment network to facilitate open banking (and what else the ComCom is thinking about) | Jennifer Hambleton, Partner, MinterEllisonRuddWatts |
| Tokenisation of real world assets | Ryan Johnson-Hunt, CEO, DSG |
| Interoperability: buzz concept or fundamental? | Emilie McCallum, Partner, Mosaic FSI |
| Beyond band-aids: Why ‘tech upgrades’ should be transformational, not transactional | Joel McIntosh, Product Lead, Constantinople |
| Customer Experience in Financial Services: Enhancing through Technology | Cathrin Edelmann, Business Development Leader & Andy Brabant, Business Development Leader |
| The future of open banking | Dr Bill Roberts, Fellow, University of Cambridge Judge Business School Centre |
| The next roadmap for Open Banking – looking ahead to greater Growth | Jody Bullen, Head of Open Banking, ANZ |
| Stablecoins in the New Zealand Context | Tony Rae, General Manager, Banzpay & Niju James, Head of Cards and Payments |
| Interchange Fee Cuts: A Challenge or an Opportunity for Fintechs? | Gary Cobain, CEO, PokitPal & Ankit Mehta, Enterprise Solutions Manager, PokitPal |
| Meet the government | representative from FMA, RBNZ and Commerce Commission |
This session will explore the latest trends shaping fintech investment, both globally and in New Zealand. Led by KPMG, it will feature insights from the KPMG Global Pulse of Fintech Report, followed by an analysis of New Zealand’s funding landscape—highlighting key investment areas, emerging business models, and opportunities in sectors such as neo-banks, infrastructure, and SME solutions.
Nicola Raynes-Pene, Partner, Consulting, National Industry Lead – Financial Services, KPMG
Dan Teper, Partner, Mergers & Acquisitions and Head of FinTech (Australia), KPMG
Marty Kerr, CEO, NZFintechFund
Panel Discussion – The Art of a Successful Pitch
Moderator: Nicola Raynes-Pene (KPMG)
Panellists: Dan Teper, Marty Kerr plus more to be confirmed!
This panel will bring together perspectives from funders, founders, and market experts to examine:
Featuring prepared insights and live audience Q&A, this session will provide valuable guidance for fintechs looking to refine their funding strategies and understand what drives investment decisions in 2025.
Afternoon Break
Sean Morrison, New Business Lead, Banzpay
Join the winner of the FinTechNZ Start up of the Year for a fireside chat with a representative from HudsonGavinMartin
Sulabh Sharma, Co-founder, Debut NZ
As a closing keynote for the FinTech Hui, we are highlighting one of the key messages from the conference: being bold. This session brings together two well-known and bold sector leaders, Sam Stubbs (Managing Director, Simplicity) and Nicola Taylor (Co-Founder, Tax Traders), to explore the power, possibility, and impact of investing in Kiwi-initiated partnerships for success. Presenting as a tag team, the session will emphasise the importance of putting people and values at the forefront of your company’s proposition and showcase how two impactful organisations embody what’s essential about Kiwi FinTech and that bold moves in the sector can have outsized results for people, communities, and our country.
Gary Cobain, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, PokitPal
Sponsored by PokitPal