8:30

Registration and Coffee

8:50

Welcoming Remarks from the Chair

David Ireland, Partner, Dentons

9:00

Keynote Address - Financial Markets Law in 2025 – Regulatory Reform

Hon Scott Simpson, Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

9:20

Navigating a new regulatory landscape – Conduct of Financial Institutions (CoFI) & Deposit Compenstation Scheme (DCS)

Gain first-hand insights from the regulator at the forefront of the CoFI regime which came into effect 31 March 2025 and the DCS which came into effect on 1 July 2025. This informative session aims to equip practitioners and finance professionals with a sound working knowledge of the CoFI regime and the DCS; what they mean, how they are being applied and how to navigate the complexities of the regimes in practice.  

Margie McCrone, Head of Deposit Taking, Financial Markets Authority

9:50

Panel Discussion – Navigating and applying the new CoFI regime

Margie McCrone, Head of Deposit Taking, Financial Markets Authority

Michael Hewes, Director Deposit Taking, Insurance & Advice, Financial Markets Authority

10:30

Morning Break

10:45

Green Finance, Disclosure and the ESG imperative 

Future proof your business practices and position with this presentation that delves into the pressures and solutions around climate risk disclosures and the far-reaching implications and effects of green finance. Hear from experts in this field; what you should be doing, why you should be doing it and why now is not soon enough! Followed by Q&A. 

Allison Hancock, Partner, MinterEllisonRuddWatts

James Paterson, Head of Sustainable Finance, ASB Bank

11:45

New Zealand – A Land Where We Must Do More With Less

New Zealand businesses and regulators have the same regulatory, risk, and compliance ground to cover as their international counterparts - but with fewer resources and smaller teams. So how can we meet these challenges without burning out ourselves or overwhelming our organisations?

This presentation explores how we can reduce risk and free up our organisations by focusing relentlessly on what truly matters. It highlights the importance of aligning legal, risk, and compliance functions with organisational strategy. It observes that lawyers have different skills to other professionals charged with the safety of an organisation and the particular positive impact they can have. We’ll also examine how regulators are signalling their priorities to the market - and consider what the market (or at least MIS managers) might be communicating in return.

Simon Haines, General Counsel & Company Secretary, Nikko Asset Management and Boutique Investment Group

12:30

Lunch

1:15

Bank Regulation & Financial Stability – a new role for Law

The introduction of the Deposit Takers Act (DTA) is bringing major changes to prudentially regulated financial institutions, on a scale similar to the impact of the Financial Markets Conduct Act (FMCA) on the broader financial sector a decade ago. This regulatory shift coincides with accelerating market disruption including the rise of fintech and stablecoins, AI-augmented operating models, and a maturing institutional capital base. This session will unpack how these converging forces are reshaping the regulatory world, and the new strategic opportunities for legal and advisory practitioners to engage in supporting outcomes for their clients and the financial system. 

Ross Pennington, Principal Legal Counsel, Reserve Bank of New Zealand

1:40

Open banking, data protection – The Customer and Product Data Act 2025

Open banking is here! With four of the major trading banks embracing open banking this year and a fifth bank to follow in early 2026, this presentation explores the pros and cons that open banking brings. What is in store for the banks and how does this impact on the consumer?

Follow by Q&A. 

Andrew Dentice, Partner, Hudson Gavin Martin

Steve Wiggins, CEO, Payments NZ

2:15

Fintech – Maximising innovation through technology. Gaining the advantage with the latest developments in the Fintech space

In this discussion, hear from those exploring new frontiers to gain the competitive edge by the smart use of technology. From navigating challenges and change in the financial ecosystem to fulfilling regulatory obligations in tokenised financial systems, this presentation shares insights on the latest developments in this dynamic area. 

Jason Roberts, CEO, Fintech NZ

Andrew Dentice, Partner, Hudson Gavin Martin

3:00

Afternoon break

3:15

CCCFA Reforms – Resetting Credit Regulation in Aotearoa New Zealand 

How regulatory reforms are impacting the sector and the way in which providers of financial products and services conduct business. Hear about the New Zealand example; when, where and how businesses can fall foul of their regulatory obligations and customer commitments.   

Kate Lane, Partner, MinterEllisonRuddWatts

3:45

What’s hot in complaint management?

2025 has seen no let-up in the number of complaints sent through to the financial service providers dispute resolution schemes. Is this just a sign of the times or are there emerging pain points? In this practical session we look at some examples of complaints that have been coming through, what effective complaints management looks like in 2025, and what can providers do to stem the flow and manage their obligations.   

Susan Taylor, CEO, Financial Services Complaints

4:15

Vulnerable customers and Responsible Lending Practice

Protecting the interests of vulnerable customers is to strike that delicate balance between enabling financial aspirations along with managing the risk and stress that can come from the associated liability. With the vulnerable customer often being locked out of traditional lending opportunities they can be exposed to the long-term effects of high-risk lending. This panel discussion explores where these risks lie for both the consumer and the lender along with the special responsibilities associated with second-tier and high-risk lending.   

John Bolton, Founder, Squirrel

Jake Lilley, Senior Policy Advisor, Fincap

Sue Moroney, CEO, Community Law Centres O Aotearoa

4:50

Consumer protection; frauds, scams, AML

Staying a step ahead of the scammers: The struggle to keep ahead of the scammers is real! As scammers and fraudsters seek out more sophisticated means to penetrate every aspect of financial life across the globe, the race to mitigate the risk posed and damage caused is an operational imperative for all institutions. From solicitor trust accounts to investment brokers and traditional banks, it appears that no one is immune from the risk of frauds and scams. While regulations offer some level of protection, there are still gaps that need to be plugged by the institutions’ own efforts. Hear from those on the frontline of protecting against frauds and scams about how they are mitigating risk.   

Alan Thomsen, Head of Customer Protection, ANZ Bank

Martin Dilly, Director, Martin Dilly Consulting

17:20

Summary Remarks from the Chair, conference ends & networking drinks

David Ireland, Partner, Dentons