open banking nz

Kiwibank flips the switch on open banking for SMEs

Kiwibank has become the first New Zealand bank to roll out open banking across all its digital channels for both individual and business customers, delivering most of the data‑sharing capability required by regulators six months ahead of its statutory deadline.

Why AI is no longer just a tech conversation

As AI rapidly shifts from experimentation to operational reality, AI start-up founder Dave Howden says the businesses that move first – and rethink how work gets done – will hold the advantage.

Healthtex kiwi entrepreneurs

The pharmacist who listened

Three decades behind the counter taught pharmacist turned entrepreneur Tim O’Donoghue that patients know exactly what they want. They just rarely get it. Now, with an FDA-listed product live on Amazon and a 14-strong self-care platform behind it, the Healthtex Co-founder is raising capital through PledgeMe and inviting Kiwi investors into a corner of the global pharmaceutical industry usually reserved for big backers.

Business traveller

Business travel confidence on the rise

Data from SME travel management provider Corporate Traveller reveals a steady increase in international bookings as travel restrictions ease, with its international air sales now around 65 percent of pre-Covid volume.   Corporate Traveller New Zealand’s GM Keeley Alton says the high demand shouldn’t be underestimated, considering the limited flights in and out of New Zealand. “Airline capacity is currently only at about 40 percent, which means there are fewer flight options and subsequently more expensive airfares.”   Based on April-May 2022 data, compared to the same period in 2019, domestic airfares are up 16 percent and international airfares are up by almost 60 percent. “Interestingly, this doesn’t seem to be putting off our SME customers who are busy forging international relationships again to help

Neurodiversity sml

Neurodivergent workers overlooked in NZ

Research shows that neurodivergent Kiwis in workplaces are at risk of being overlooked, with a third reporting their condition has negatively affected their career advancement.   The 2022 New Zealand Workplace Diversity Survey also revealed that it’s likely many people with a neurodiverse condition are masking it in the workplace, with 63 per cent of people who identified as neurodivergent reporting their organisation was unaware of this. Diversity Works New Zealand Head of Research and Development Pete Mercer says another concerning statistic from the annual research was that only 17 percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that senior leaders in their organisation were equipped to effectively manage a neurodiverse workforce. Almost half of those surveyed (47 percent) disagreed or

Devonport Auckland Skyline

Activate Tāmaki Makaurau supports 12,000 businesses

Between December 2021 and June 2022, more than 12,000 Auckland businesses impacted by COVID-19 accessed support through Activate Tāmaki Makaurau, the delivery programme for the Government’s Auckland business support package. Activate Tāmaki Makaurau provided businesses support across four offerings: Advice and planning; implementation; mental health and wellbeing; and business community resources. The $60 million package was announced by the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Small Business in October 2021. It was designed to support Tāmaki Makaurau businesses through the uncertainty and impacts caused by the pandemic, with the region spending more time under COVID-19 restrictions than other parts of New Zealand. Activate Tāmaki Makaurau was administered by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited – supported by MBIE, and in partnership with the

Napier sml

NZ’s events industry finally re-connects

‘Eventing the Future’ and the NZEA NZ Event Awards are scheduled for late July, as those events calendars roar back into action. The NZ Events Association (NZEA) is thrilled to announce its ‘Eventing the Future 2022’ conference is taking place at the Napier War Memorial Centre on 26 and 27 July. Nearly two years in the making, the premier National Events Industry Conference is finally back after multiple postponements forced by Covid restrictions. Initially planned for 2020, the conference has drawn an enthusiastic response as industry figures welcome the chance for an in-person meeting of minds and ideas. Ségolène de Fontenay (pictured below), NZ Events Association General Manager says postponements and cancellations have been all too familiar for those in