Kia ora,
This week, I’m flying the flag for New Zealand’s tech sector in Taiwan and Singapore. This morning I joined Michelle McCarthy and the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) team in Taiwan helping to develop a growth plan for Kiwi tech in Taiwan. This afternoon, I’m at the ASOCIO General Assembly, strengthening ties with Nasscom (India) and other major markets to help create opportunities for New Zealand companies.
After speaking at the Asia-Pacific Digital Summit on Wednesday I head to Singapore FinTech Festival (alongside 30,000 attendees) to back Jason Roberts from FinTechNZ and the many Kiwi fintechs showcasing their capabilities. It’s inspiring to see so many local tech firms out in the world, working hard and winning.
NZIAT AI funding: applications closing soon!
In case you missed it, applications are open for the NZIAT Artificial Intelligence Research Platform (and close on 20 November — just 9 days away!). This landmark Government investment of up to $70 million over seven years aims to lift New Zealand’s AI research and commercialisation for enduring competitive advantage.
Following last week’s webinar, we sought clarification from Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) on your questions. Their responses are now available in the resources space here.
Tour Wellington’s top biotech facilities!
The programme for Life Sciences Summit 2026 Touchdown Day (Monday, 9 March) has been revealed. Tour Wellington’s top biotech facilities including the Ferrier Institute, Callaghan Innovation, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, and Emily Parker Biology Lab, followed by networking at Creative HQ. View the Monday 9 March Touchdown Day tour schedule here. Life Sciences Summit 2026 Super Saver tickets close 24 November, so secure your spot soon!
FinTech Hui Taumata 2026: Government-Industry Pre-Hui Roundtable
Join us on Wednesday 11 March for a half-day, senior-level roundtable setting the scene for Aotearoa’s Open Finance future – spanning policy, innovation, trust and consumer outcomes. Co-hosted with MBIE and Chapman Tripp, this forum is designed for regulators and industry leaders to align on the opportunities and collaboration that will shape New Zealand’s digital economy.
Here’s key dates for members across the NZTech Group: Voting for the Digital Identity NZ Executive Council opens today. The AI Forum’s Annual Meeting is Wednesday.
Ngā mihi nui,
Graeme Muller
CEO
NZTech
PS: The AWS Asia Pacific (New Zealand) Region is now live, bringing new business opportunities to our shores. Three Availability Zones, single-digit millisecond latency, and your data stays in Aotearoa. This $7.5 billion investment brings world-class cloud infrastructure home, and is forecast to add $10.8 billion to our GDP. Our member AWS alongside NEXTGEN, a trusted AWS distributor, have hand-picked expert partners ready to help you make the most of this opportunity – from AI tools and communications to security, cloud migration, contact centres and app development. Check out their hub to meet local partners, read local success stories and book your free cloud assessment.
Read full news here: Advancing New Zealand tech in Taiwan and Singapore