Ki a koutou a Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, te mana whenua o tēnei rohe, e mihi ana. Nā koutou mātou i tiaki, nā koutou tātou i whakamana i ō kupu mihi. Nei a kupu whakamiha ka  rere. 

 
Tēnā koutou katoa, warm greetings and welcome. I’m Will Goodwin, Chair of the Institute of Finance Professionals New Zealand, also known as INFINZ, and it’s an honour to open this year’s conference.  

It’s wonderful to see so many people from across Aotearoa's finance and business community – from capital markets and banking to infrastructure, technology, and the public sector. 

Our theme, ‘Activating New Zealand’s Future’, speaks to the moment we’re in. We know there are some big challenges – a domestic environment operating below potential, shifting global dynamics, competition for capital – but we also know there is tremendous opportunity. This conference is about how we can seize those opportunities. It’s about action – harnessing innovation, technology, and inclusive finance to drive growth.  

You’ll see that reflected right through the programme – in sessions on AI and big data, infrastructure, the Māori economy, and the role of the financial services sector as a catalyst for economic development. These may all be different topics, but they’re part of the same conversation – one about how finance can activate progress for all of New Zealand. 

We have an excellent line-up of speakers and panellists ahead, and I’m confident today will spark new ideas, collaborations, and practical pathways forward. 

Before we begin, I’d like to share a few updates on what INFINZ has been doing over the past year. 

In 2024, we released a landmark Diversity, Equity and Inclusion report focused on two key areas: advancing women into senior leadership roles and increasing engagement with Māori in our industry. These remain core priorities in our mission to strengthen capability, leadership, and inclusion across New Zealand’s financial ecosystem. 

Today, I’m pleased to share two initiatives that build on that foundation. 

First, the next phase of our Women in Senior Leadership initiative. This is expanding to support return-to-work pathways following extended parental leave. We recognise the importance of keeping both women and men connected during this time. INFINZ will soon offer free membership and complimentary access to events for those on extended parental leave – helping them stay engaged and easing their reintegration into the professional community. 

Over the past year, we also partnered with the Financial Services Council to deliver a three-part event series focused on women in leadership. Each session sold out – clear evidence of the appetite for valuable insights and inspiration.  

The second initiative we are proud to announce today is the launch of our Māori in Finance Mentoring Programme, beginning with a pilot next year. This will pair mid-career Māori professionals (tuakana) with experienced mentors (rangatira), providing support through both cultural and career pathways. Developed in partnership with Tāwhia – Māori Bankers Rōpū and the Māori Accountants Network, this programme reflects our commitment to meaningful engagement and long-term impact. 

Our Learning & Development programme also continues to grow from strength to strength. Next year we’ll be bringing back our most popular offerings – including Python training, the Strategy & Value Creation Masterclass - as well as the CFO Fundamentals for aspiring CFOs in NZX-listed companies.  

More information on these – and all of our programmes – can be found on the INFINZ website. They’re well worth incorporating into your professional development plans. After all, learning and development is what brings us all here today. 

A big thank you to our sponsors, who have made this day possible and whose names you can see on the screen – please join me in acknowledging them with a round of applause.  

Each year, INFINZ is proud to offer Conference Scholarships, giving final-year university students the opportunity to attend and connect with professionals across the industry. This year, we welcome eighteen students from right across the country. 

Speaking in my capacity as Co-Chief Investment Officer of the New Zealand Super Fund, I’m proud to share that, through our partnership with INFINZ, the Fund is supporting an additional ten students to attend the conference. These students have been selected through First Foundation, an educational trust that INFINZ partners with to help open up pathways into the finance industry. 

Please take the time to connect with all the students here today – they represent the next generation of talent in New Zealand’s finance community.  

Thank you all for being here, for your leadership, and for your contribution to shaping Aotearoa’s financial future. Let’s make this a day of ideas, connection, and activation.