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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.
Registration opens – tea/coffee
Formalities begin
Opening and welcome from MC Ngapera Riley
Welcome from Digital Identity NZ Executive Director Andy Higgs.
Ministerial Address – Minister Judith Collins
Digital Identity and Sovereignty in the Age of AI: New Zealand’s Path to Leading the World’s First Decentralised Credential Ecosystem
Digital identity and artificial intelligence are reshaping society, yet they’re in direct tension. AI-generated content undermines identity systems while the absence of universal identity frameworks erodes online trust. This presents New Zealand with an unprecedented opportunity: becoming the world’s first fully decentralised credential identity ecosystem. With our Digital Identity Services Trust Framework and values-driven approach, we can leapfrog traditional models and align with 100M+ US mobile licenses and 400M+ EU wallets also based on decentralised systems. But leadership demands conscious choices about focus, tradeoffs, standards, and sovereignty. How do we balance global interoperability with national priorities? The next decade will determine whether we achieve true digital independence or surrender it to global tech giants.
Building New Zealand’s Digital Trust Infrastructure: DISTF Implementation and the Road Ahead
The Digital Identity Services Trust Framework represents a fundamental shift in how New Zealand approaches digital identity. This session provides a comprehensive update on the government’s digital identity initiatives, including the rollout of NZ Verify verification app, the all-of-government digital wallet, regulatory monetisation frameworks, and the establishment of a trust register as the authoritative source for government-issued credentials. Learn how the government is positioning itself as a trusted credential issuer and what this means for businesses and citizens navigating New Zealand’s evolving digital landscape.
Digital Identity: The Engine Driving Government Digitisation
How can digital identity become the backbone of delivering seamless government services? This keynote speech will delve into the role of trusted digital identity in transforming digital public service delivery, exploring use cases across the public service. Learn how initiatives across New Zealand are paving the way for a future where proving who you are is effortless, secure, and universally accessible.
Government officials and industry experts examine DISTF’s real-world implementation. Panelists discuss NZ Verify deployment challenges, regulatory monetisation strategies, and the government’s role as credential issuer. Explore how public-private partnerships are shaping New Zealand’s digital identity infrastructure and what businesses need to know about upcoming changes.
Moderated by Andy Higgs — Executive Director, Digital Identity New Zealand.
Panellists:
Myles Ward, Deputy Government Chief Digital Officer
Maria Robertson, Chair – Digital Identity New Zealand
Don Christie, Catalyst IT
Tim Ransom, Health New Zealand
Break for morning tea.
Putting People First: Digital Identity for Everyday New Zealanders
How do we make digital identity work for real people in real situations? This session explores the practical applications of digital identity for natural persons, from early adopters embracing new technologies to everyday applications like proof of age and online verification. We’ll examine privacy considerations, the importance of user control, and how New Zealand’s ID assurance hierarchy creates a foundation for trustworthy digital interactions. Discover how borderless travel, bank-issued credentials, and innovative assurance solutions are transforming how citizens prove who they are in a digital world.
Update on the Biometric Code of practice. Following the public consultation which closed in March, a final version of the Code is expected around mid-2025.
Mobile Drivers Licenses.
Deputy Privacy Commissioner Liz MacPherson, Christopher Goh (Austroads), James Little (DIA), Luke McIntyre (MATTR), and industry experts examine making digital identity work for everyday New Zealanders. Panellists explore privacy frameworks, mobile driver’s license implementations, and government verification systems. Discover how regulatory guidance, cross-Tasman standards, and citizen-centred design are shaping accessible, trustworthy digital identity solutions for all.
Switching gears – digital identity for better operations and growth.
This presentation explores how digital identity can improve efficiency and drive growth, with a focus on Worldline’s role in this transformation. It covers the journey from proof of concept to trial, highlighting stakeholder feedback, collective consumer adoption, and the importance of clear value before progressing to the next phase.
Helen Little (Worldline), Will Kim (Hospitality NZ), Anne Curzon (Chair – B416), and other payments experts explore how digital identity transforms everyday transactions. Panelists discuss seamless payment experiences, age verification for hospitality services, and reducing friction in consumer transactions. Discover how digital identity credentials are enabling secure, efficient payments while protecting consumer privacy and creating new opportunities for businesses across New Zealand’s hospitality sector.
Moderated by Digital Identity Executive Director Andy Higgs.
The future of open banking in New Zealand.
Digital Identity in the Digital Economy
Exploring the role of financial services providers in the digital identity ecosystem in Aotearoa.
At Payments NZ, our vision is to provide world class payments for Aotearoa.
Against a backdrop of positive momentum from both public and private sectors, we are exploring the intersection between identity and payments. We are working with industry stakeholders to understand how best digital identity can be implemented so that it can play its crucial role as a cornerstone of a secure and inclusive digital economy. Collaboration is essential in this exercise, and we draw inspiration from the well known Māori whakataukī (proverb):
Nā tō rourou,nā taku rourou,ka ora ai te iwi – With your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive
Andrew Weaver (Payments NZ), Steven Dillon (Ping Identity) and other identity experts join business leaders to showcase how digital identity unlocks business productivity. Panelists discuss streamlining payment systems, securing business transactions, and accelerating compliance processes across sectors. Explore real-world implementations of business identity solutions and how identity infrastructure enables automation, reduces fraud costs, and drives economic growth.
Moderated by Anne Curzon, Chair – B416.
Break for lunch
Unlocking Business Productivity: Digital Identity for Enterprises, Trusts, and Organisations
Digital identity isn’t just about people – it’s about unleashing the productivity potential of New Zealand’s businesses, charities, trusts, and corporates. This session examines how digital identity solutions can streamline back-office processes, reduce fraud risks, and enable faster turnaround times across sectors. From farming trust alliances and federated farmers to healthcare providers and educational institutions, learn how the NZ Business Number and digital identity frameworks are creating new opportunities for automation, compliance, and growth in the digital economy.
Fireside Chat moderated by James Monaghan, Co-founder – MISSION
Lumin PDF’s Joel Foster, Chris Claridge from Trust Alliance, and sector representatives explore how digital signatures transform business operations across farming, healthcare, education, and financial services. Panelists discuss streamlining agricultural documentation, NZ Business Number integration, educational credentialing, and AML compliance workflows. Discover how trusted digital signing solutions are eliminating paper processes, accelerating sector-specific transactions, and driving productivity gains across New Zealand’s critical industries.
Moderated by Digital Identity Executive Director Andy Higgs.
James Monaghan leads an engaging dialogue to take the temperature of the room on digital identity for businesses and organisations. This collaborative session gathers delegate insights on productivity gains, implementation challenges, and regulatory needs while providing valuable feedback for the government on how digital identity can unlock New Zealand’s economic potential.
The Future is Agentic: Digital Identity for Machines, Bots, and AI Systems
As artificial intelligence and automated systems become ubiquitous, the question “who or what am I dealing with?” becomes critical. This session explores the emerging world of agentic commerce, where AI agents conduct business on behalf of humans and organizations. How do we establish identity, delegation, and reputation for machines? What frameworks ensure accountability when bots make decisions? As the future web becomes increasingly agentic, understanding machine identity becomes essential for maintaining trust and control in our digital interactions.
Keynote to be announced.
Silona Bonewald (President, LeadingBit Solutions) is joined by AI experts and digital identity architects explore the emerging world of machine identity. Panelists discuss establishing trust frameworks for AI agents, delegation mechanisms, and accountability systems for autonomous business transactions. Examine how machine identity infrastructure will enable safe, trustworthy interactions in an increasingly automated digital economy.
Afternoon Tea Break.
Roundtable Discussion.
Close by MC Ngapera Riley.
Closing Karakia by MC Ngapera Riley.
Networking Drinks.