The time has come to put open data at the heart of the New Zealand story. By this I mean the deployment of digital public infrastructure to secure our data so it can flow smoothly and safely with the correct permissions. Change is hard. System change is even harder. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be aspirational.
It is encouraging to see Hon Judith Collins‘ “we’ll have a Government app by Christmas” programme take a significant step forward with the appointment of two exceptional New Zealand tech companies.
Congratulations to both Dave Clark NZ and MATTR teams. This is exactly the kind of partnership between government and local tech that strengthens our digital economy and showcases New Zealand innovation on the world stage – DIA announcement here.
The structural separation of digital identity from the traditional tech stack represents a seismic shift for the industry and for how systems are designed and developed. Despite extensive consultation as the technology evolved over the past few years, the long-awaited reference architecture and design for government implementation are now a priority.
As we build our profile, we are grateful that so many accomplished changemakers are stepping up to speak at our highly anticipated Digital Trust Hui on 12 August:
- Matthew Evetts – Partner – Digital & Cyber, KPMG
- Tim Ransom – Product Manager – Public, Community and Consumer Health, Te Whatu Ora
- Joel Foster – Chief Commercial Officer, Lumin
- Helen Littlewood – Senior Product Manager,Worldline Contactless
- Silona Bonewald – President, LeadingBit Solutions | Open Source Evangelist & Standards Expert
- Kristy Phillips – Chair, Hospitality New Zealand
- Anna Curzon – Chair, B416
- Don Christie, Managing Director, Catalyst IT
- Myles Ward – Deputy Government Chief Digital Officer, DIA
- Maria Roberston, Chair, Digital Identity New Zealand
At the Hui, it will be valuable to see the DIA spell out the work that the Department has underway to resolve any policy and regulatory barriers for accredited providers, issuing credentials (driving, education, travel, age assurance), along with DIA issued credentials under DISTF accreditation.
It will be beneficial at the Hui to see DIA outline the work underway to address policy and regulatory obstacles for accredited providers, specifically regarding the issuance of credentials such as driving, education, travel, and age assurance, as well as DIA-issued credentials under DISTF accreditation.
Have you secured your spot at the Digital Trust Hui Taumata?
Join us on 12 August in Wellington for a full day of keynotes, panels, roundtables, and exhibits, expertly guided by MC Ngapera Riley. Hear from leaders including Ministers Judith Collins and Scott Simpson, James Monaghan (MISSION), Myles Ward (DIA), Liz MacPherson (Privacy Commissioner), Helen Littlewood (Worldline), Christopher Goh (Austroads), and Andrew Weaver (Payments NZ). With 30+speakers and support from sponsors including Payments NZ, Worldline, IMB, KPMG, Lumin, Ping Identity, NEC, DIA, Westpac, MATTR, Middleware Group, JNCTN, and MinterEllisonRuddWatts, this is a must-attend event shaping Aotearoa’s digital trust future. View the Programme and Register now!
DINZ Strategy Refresh
New Zealand stands at the frontier of a digital future where open, trusted data unlocks better services, richer insights, and empowered citizens.
There is an increasing consensus among government, industry, Iwi, communities, and citizens to collaboratively undertake a bold, values-led transformation of our data systems. This transformation will be underpinned by transparent and auditable public infrastructure.
The upcoming digital identity strategy refresh will be looking at, amongst other things, how to accelerate credential uptake, how to unlock productivity with digital identity and the role of identity solutions in the world of AI and agentic systems.
I’m looking forward to this session with our Executive Council in the coming weeks as we work to focus our energy on making real change to support our vision of a country where people can express their identity using validated and trusted digital means in order to fully participate in a digital economy and society.
In Other News
- Dave Clark NZ and MATTR secure major government contract
Dave Clark NZ and digital identity firm MATTR have won a significant New Zealand government contract to develop a new app focused on secure digital identity services. Read more.
- Digital ID developments won’t replace wallets just yet
Despite progress in digital identity systems, experts say physical IDs and wallets will remain necessary for the foreseeable future due to infrastructure and adoption challenges. Read more.
- New Zealand launches world-first deepfake experiment to build public trust
New Zealand is leading a groundbreaking deepfake detection trial aimed at boosting public awareness and resilience against synthetic media manipulation. Read more.
- Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) announces updated rules for the DISTF
The feedback has been thoroughly analysed and presented to both the Trust Framework Board and the Minister for Digitising Government. As a result, the updated rules went into force on 24 July 2025. For a comprehensive overview of the updated rules and a summary of the feedback received, please visit the Trust Framework for Digital Identity Legislation page.
With a realistic government timeline now established, we must collectively prepare for launch. There is a significant amount of work ahead, and no time to lose.
Fortunately, our Digital Identity NZ membership possesses world-class capabilities, ideally suited to assist with consultation and bridge delivery gaps as we move forward.
Ngā mihi nui,
Andy Higgs
Executive Director, Digital Identity NZ
Banner image credit: Rocket Lab
