Kia ora Readers,
What does identity mean to you? As we explore the digital nature of identity we can’t help but ask that question. In New Zealand, our conversations about who we are and what we share online are moving well beyond the number of ‘likes’ we’re getting. As a nation we have started exploring some more fundamental ethical and moral questions, particularly around the imbalance of power.
As we explore more deeply we also start to understand that we don’t all see the world in the same way. There is something powerful in that realisation. This is something that can help us see beyond our own preconceptions and enable us to appreciate, and even incorporate, different ways of thinking. We’re often challenged to ‘accept diversity’. In other words, that means to tolerate it. However, by limiting what we are prepared to change, we dilute the very essence and power of diversity.
Gender diversity is one obvious issue when we survey the tech landscape in New Zealand. That’s why TechWomen have set up ShadowTech. ShadowTech is an award-winning programme which allows girls in years nine to eleven to shadow a tech professional for a day, in the hopes of inspiring them onto a technology career path.
ShadowTech 2019 is looking for mentors to host girls in six locations around New Zealand. Sign up here to be a mentor. This is a TechWomen initiative, but men are welcome to be a mentor, as long as there is a female staff member who can interact with the girls on the day.
We look forward to the wonderful stories that will come out of ShadowTech this year, and welcome your thoughts on how we continue this important diversity journey in the months ahead.
News and Reports
Could blockchain be the answer to recording whakapapa? Ahau, a Māori-led startup believes it could be.
Digital Identity New Zealand member Paymark is experimenting with facial recognition technology to create an invisible payment experience.
Auckland-based Sphere Identity has launched a blockchain-based easy sign-up system at the recent Know2019 conference in Las Vegas, where CEO Katherine Noall received the Rising Innovator award.
Mastercard have published a Digital Identity model underpinned by a ‘Consumer Charter.’
Is privacy under threat from all the know-your-customer documents stored with countless services?
Applications close on 17 May for the July Cohort of Lightning Lab GovTech. If you are in the public sector, don’t miss your chance be part of this project accelerator. Past projects include Supersmooth which are working with the Ministry of Social Development to use new technologies to streamline the superannuation application process. Talk to us if you have an idea and are looking for collaboration partners or agencies. We can help!
MYOB wants two-factor authentication to be mandatory for all online financial service providers.
Could your iPhone replace your passport?
Read the 2019 Digital Identity Trends report released by LoginRadius, and discover what the four key things to consider are when deploying digital ID schemes.
Upcoming Events
US-based technology journalist Kashmir Hill and New Zealand psychologist Nigel Latta have been announced as the keynote speakers for the Identity Conference 2019 – Identity as taonga: now and in the future. This international conference, which Digital Identity New Zealand is hosting with Victoria University of Wellington, The Department of Internal Affairs and The Office of the Privacy Commissioner is to be held at Te Papa, in Wellington, on 26–27 August 2019. Registrations open 1 May.
The 2019 NZ Cyber Security Summit will examine the changing cyber landscape and what that means for the modern business ecosystem. The summit is being held on 15 October at Te Papa, in Wellington.
Sign up for the 3rd annual All-of-Government NZ Digital Transformation summit, 14–16 May in Wellington.
Register before 19 April for a 30% discount off Seamless Asia 2019, 25-27 June in Singapore.
Tech Alliance Events and Information
It’s only a month to New Zealand Techweek19 (20–26 May) and there are hundreds of events on offer all around the country.
Make sure you check out the Techweek TV schedule, which includes an episode of ‘our culture and its importance in innovation’, as well as AI Forum’s Ben Reid leading a discussion on protecting privacy and personal data.
Save the date for the Canterbury Tech Summit on 12 September in Christchurch.
Join EdTechNZ and TechWomen on 13 June in Wellington, 20 June in Auckland and 26 June in Christchurch to discuss how to achieve diversity in the tech sector. Registrations opening soon.
Scale-Up New Zealand, a Callaghan Innovation initiative to strengthen ecosystem maturity, launches today. This is a free online platform connecting innovative New Zealand businesses, investors, incubators and others, with each other and the world. We encourage you to place your organisation’s profile on Scale-Up so it is easier to attract funding. Learn more about Scale-Up here.
Congratulations to two Digital Identity New Zealand members who have been named as finalists for the Hi-Tech Awards: IBM in the Best Contribution to the NZ Hi-Tech Sector by an Internationally Headquartered Company category; and Sharesies in the Hi-Tech Start-up Company of the Year category.
Secure your tickets now for the Hi-Tech Awards Gala Dinner on 24 May in Auckland, during Techweek19.
Contribute, Connect and Join
A regular feature of our newsletters will be a spotlight on members. We’re keen to share stories and highlight opportunities for collaboration. Please contact us to submit your story.
If you would like to know more about joining Digital Identity NZ, the benefits and membership categories check out our joining page.
