Meri Kirihimete and season’s greetings to you all.
We’re rapidly approaching the end of the year, and indeed the end of the decade!
Last week we had the opportunity to reflect on the first year of Digital Identity NZ at our Annual Meeting. As with most new ventures, we’ve had our successes and our challenges. We’re delighted with the way the conversation on digital identity has both broadened and deepened, especially around the touchpoint of ‘identity as taonga’. We also reflected on the need for concerted action and implementation, and recognised the importance of healthy debate and collaboration on that as we move into 2020.
We’re thrilled to have a new Executive Council elected, and to have so many different perspectives and voices around the Council table. The governance role of the Council will be all the more important as we move into an action phase, and we’re glad to have such wisdom and community with us.
I would also like to acknowledge and thank the outgoing Establishment Board who guided us through our first year. Your support, hard work and encouragement have been invaluable to the organisation, and to me in my role as Executive Director.
We have some exciting initiatives and events in store for the New Year, starting off with our International Perspectives webinar panel on 23 January. We hope to see you there, and in the meantime, have a safe and thoroughly enjoyable festive season!
Ngā Mihi,
Andrew Weaver
Executive Director
Watch the Digital New Zealander
We were delighted to be part of the recent Air New Zealand ‘OnPoint’ event, exploring the concept of The Digital New Zealander.
Give a good gift this Christmas
Back in September we were part of Identity Conference 2019, and found a wonderful way to thank speakers with ‘the gift of giving’ through the Good Registry. Christmas is a great opportunity to give the same gift of giving.
News and Reports
A new survey of 4000 Americans shows that tech companies have failed to convince us that data collection is in our best interest, with more than 80% of the people surveyed saying they feel like they have very little or no control over the data being collected about them.
Australia’s Westpac bank was accused of violating anti-money laundering laws 23 million times. Money laundering has always troubled financial institutions, but today’s digital banking system creates additional complexities as fraudsters around the world take advantage of financial technologies.
Commuters in Zhengzhou, China, can now pay for their subway fare through a facial recognition payment system, however, the expanding use of face scans across China is not without growing concerns over data safety and user privacy.
The lack of diversity in the biometrics industry means that products are being developed with unconscious bias baked into them. The industry needs to think about product development and building products that work for people, urges Women in Identity co-founder Emma Lindley.
Mastercard is launching a new digital resource that has the potential to instantly authenticate someone’s identity in a secure manner, with the pilot rolling out in Australia.
Each year, One World Identity publish an ‘Identity Landscape’ – check out their background and download the 2019 edition.
Upcoming Events
Register now for our International Perspectives webinar on 23 January. Our monthly webinars happen at 1pm on the third Thursday of the month – schedule them in your calendar now.
Hear from several Digital Identity NZ members at the Digital Identity and Access Morning Briefing NZ 2020 on Wednesday 26 February in Auckland.
Secure yourself an early bird ticket price for Payments NZ 2020 conference The Point, 23-24 June in Auckland.
If you are planning international travel in 2020, consider attending Know Identity (5-8 April, Las Vegas), Identiverse (8-11 June, Denver) or Money 2020 (16-18 June, Amsterdam).
Tech Alliance Evens and Information
2019 has been a big year for the Tech Alliance with over 100 member event, 80 media stories and dozens of other initiatives.
Attend Future Government 2020 on 25 March in Wellington for more on serving New Zealand through a digital public service.
Entries are now open for the NZ Hi-Tech Awards, with the winners being announced at the Gala Dinner on 22 May in Wellington.
Kiwi business women are leading the drive of AI into 2020. The AI Forum has appointed Megan Tapsell as chair and Louise Taylor as deputy chair.
Super early bird pricing for MedCan 2020 closes this Friday, 20 December, so secure your spot now.
If you’re in Canterbury, join Canterbury Tech for their next monthly event on 11 February.
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.
