Kia ora
A huge thank you to everyone who put their hand up to join our China delegation! The response was incredible and we were well over-subscribed. If you missed the deadline, please get in touch as we’re exploring a second delegation later this year and would love to include you.
Closer to home, we’re in Wellington next week for two events that sit at the heart of Aotearoa’s innovation economy and the timing couldn’t be better.
First up, the Life Sciences Summit (9–11 March) brings together the full breadth of New Zealand’s life sciences ecosystem to ask a defining question: what does a genuine bio-future for Aotearoa actually look like? From gene technology and quantum biology to agritech and bioeconomy investment, the conversations happening in the room have real consequences for how we grow and support one of our most exciting sectors.
Then on Wednesday, we’re back at Tākina for the FinTechNZ Hui Taumata (11–12 March), themed Forging Ahead: Shaping the Future of Finance. With open banking now legislated, this is a pivotal moment. The Hui brings together everyone who is collectively shaping what finance looks like for New Zealanders and making sure innovation has room to thrive.
Two events. Two sectors. One clear signal: the conversations that will shape Aotearoa’s digital and innovation economy are happening right now.
Biotech’s big questions and bold science
Our Life Sciences Summit 2026 tackles the questions that will define the next decade of New Zealand’s bioeconomy.
Global biotech competition is intensifying, regulation is shifting and technology is advancing faster than most strategies can keep pace with. Dr Dirk van der Kley (ANU) opens the discussion with a compelling case that geopolitical competition, not funding cycles, is the real force reshaping biotech, and what this means for New Zealand’s window of opportunity.
We’re also exploring how AI, quantum computing and synthetic biology are transforming research and commercialisation; what it takes to fund and scale a life sciences company here; and whether industry is ready for evolving gene technology regulations. Day Two promises to deliver a standout moment with Andrew Pask (Colossal Biosciences) on de-extinction as a conservation tool, including a new moa project.
We’re shaping the future of fintech in Aotearoa
We’re on the final countdown to our FinTechNZ Hui Taumata 2026, and the programme is set to tackle the conversations defining how Aotearoa builds a trusted, competitive and innovation-friendly financial system.
Day One creates space for deeper connection, with delegates choosing between ecosystem tours and the Insights Forum. Day Two focuses on open finance, AI, payments, digital identity and digital assets, bringing industry, regulators and government together to progress from ideas to action. Keynotes explore fast-emerging shifts including agentic commerce with Anthony Jones (Visa). We’ll also hear about New Zealand’s Consumer Data Right from MBIE’s Alan Carnaby and Lisa Ringleff, and the digital assets revolution from Jason Titman (Swyftx).
NZ Hi-Tech Awards: last day to enter!
Submit your entry online before 5pm today, then attend the finalist announcements on Thursday 26 March in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Winners will be announced at the Gala Dinner on Friday 22 May in Auckland.
The University of Auckland’s ALTeR Inaugural Conference (15–17 April) explores the role of government in navigating technological change. Find out more.
Ngā mihi nui,
Graeme Muller
CEO, Tech New Zealand
Read full news here: Next week in Wellington: the conversations that matter