Here at The Middleware Group our strategy is Open Everything. This concept is about creating a world where organisations and consumers across all industry sectors interact and communicate seamlessly, giving individuals and businesses access to a wealth of information and insights to make informed decisions in all their endeavours. At the heart of this movement lies a critical shift, transferring control over data and identity back into the hands of each New Zealander, rather than leaving them solely with the organisations that happen to collect or store them.

Digital Identity plays a central role in making this vision a reality. A robust, privacy-assured and accessible digital identity ecosystem will enable people to prove who they are securely, instantly, and in any context, whilst maintaining control over what information is shared and with whom. Imagine being able to manage your finances, healthcare, government services, and everyday life through one integrated experience, without needing to repeatedly verify your identity or navigate through fragmented systems. With Open Everything, services are designed to interoperate safely and responsibly, underpinned by trusted digital identities and common standards, creating seamless, secure interactions that benefit all.

New Zealand’s emerging Consumer Data Right (CDR) framework, as defined in the Customer and Product Data Act 2025, is a vital step toward realising this future. It establishes a foundation that empowers consumers to access and share their data with accredited third parties of their choosing, on their terms. As the CDR framework evolves, it is set to unlock innovation, encourage healthy competition, and deliver more personalised, efficient services across all sectors. Crucially, its success hinges on the widespread adoption of secure, user-centric digital identity services that ensure privacy, consent, and trust are built into every interaction.

The idea is simple yet transformative, breaking down barriers so businesses and individuals can access and use services in ways that are simpler, more efficient, and tailored to their unique needs, without compromising security or privacy. Digital Identity and CDR together ensure that access is both personalised and protected, giving people confidence and control. It also presents businesses with opportunities to streamline operations and expand the breadth and depth of their services, underpinned by the secure exchange of data and identity, fuelled by trust, driven by innovation, and enabled by regulation.

With Open Everything, your identity and data is shared only with your consent, and you can withdraw your consent at any time.

The future is open – and you’ll always be in control!

For more information, please feel free to reach out to your local Middleware New Zealand team at [email protected].

We look forward to hearing from you.