Kia ora,
What a year! As 2025 draws to a close, we want to extend our heartfelt thank you to every member of the Digital Identity NZ community, our government partners, industry supporters, and especially our hosts Air New Zealand and friends at IATA who helped us celebrate all we’ve achieved together last week in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Your mahi has powered real momentum — from trusted frameworks and inclusive working groups to practical progress in credentialing use cases across both public and private sectors. This collective effort is what’s driving Aotearoa towards a future where digital identity enabled by verifiable attestations isn’t just a concept, but a tool people use every day with confidence.
Thanks to everyone who joined us for our Annual Meeting on 4 December. The presentation is available here, including an introduction to our new Executive Council.
Highlights from the past month
Government app & digital wallet progress
The Government Chief Digital Officer and Department of Internal Affairs have been advancing a new all-of-government app that will securely host digital credentials — signalling a major step toward seamless digital interaction with public services. Initial functionality and user research are underway, with staged rollout expected into 2026. Learn more at Digital.govt.nz
Infinite possibilities for credentials
This year saw ongoing trust framework work, partners preparing real world credential solutions, and momentum building ahead of broad ecosystem adoption. With updated Digital Identity Services Trust Framework rules and expanding credential support, the foundation for digital transformation is a work in progress as highlighted by community feedback to the recent research released by the DIA.
From a Te Ao Māori perspective, digital credential ecosystems must be built on trust, choice, and genuine Māori governance. Without co-design, respect for data sovereignty, and alignment with tikanga Māori, digital identity risks reinforcing exclusion rather than enabling rangatiratanga.
— Dr Karaitiana Taiuru, Māori data and digital governance specialist
Partnerships that matter
We celebrated with industry peers and honoured collaboration across sectors at our end-of-year event on 11 December — particularly with Air New Zealand and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), underscoring the global importance of digital identity standards and interoperability.
Thank you to all our speakers — especially Janelle Riki-Waaka, who MC’ed the event with grace, warmth, and a deep sense of manaakitanga.
We were indeed fortunate to hear from Dr Samir Saran who highlighted the business case for digital public infrastructure from a Digital India perspective, including accelerated GDP and asset value growth (from 7 to 17% per annum). Samir also shared the progress of the Gates Foundation backed Modular Open Source Identity Platform (MOSIP) — an open-source foundational digital identity platform. The MOSIP centralised identity has been adopted by 160 million global citizens outside India, demonstrating the export potential of our open and decentralised approach to trust infrastructure.
Government digital leadership & future structure
The public service continues its digital transformation with structural evolution under the Public Service Commission, including integration of Government Chief Digital Officer functions into a new Government Digital Delivery Agency — all designed to deliver smarter, simpler services for all New Zealanders. Learn more here.
Looking ahead — the year of the credential (2026)
2026 is shaping up to be a defining year. With foundational work complete and adoption readiness accelerating, we’ll be turning plans into real, everyday experiences — from digital driver licences to secure wallets and beyond. Your continued engagement, innovation, and leadership will be vital.
Take a break, recharge & return ready
As calendars turn and we head into the holidays, we hope you find time to rest, reconnect, and recharge with whānau and friends. Come back refreshed — because 2026 is going to be our most exciting year yet.
Ngā mihi nui — thank you for your partnership, your passion, and your vision for an open, trusted digital future for Aotearoa.
Meri Kirihimete!
Andy Higgs
Executive Director
Digital Identity NZ
Read the full news here: Meri Kirihimete me te Tau Hou Hari
