A new chapter has begun for open banking in Aotearoa New Zealand, as the Payments NZ API Centre ceases operating today, 30 September 2026, bringing its role in open banking standards development, management and governance to a close.
Since our establishment in 2019, the API Centre brought banks, fintechs, payment service providers and others together to turn a shared ambition into a working ecosystem. We have led the development of standards, infrastructure and the industry capability that underpin open banking today.
The ecosystem we have built is continuing to grow. In August 2026, 545,681 open banking payments were completed across our ecosystem, up 36% from July, with a total value of $152.9 million. These results show the increasing scale of open banking activity and the strength of the foundations established by the industry.
The Centre’s work has been shaped by the expertise, commitment and input of our Standards Users, Community Contributors and the many organisations and individuals that have supported us over the past seven years.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed. Your willingness to share specialist knowledge, work through complex challenges and pursue a common vision has helped make open banking a reality in Aotearoa. What we have achieved together belongs to the whole industry.
As of today, the API Centre’s industry-led role in open banking has come to an end. Open banking will continue under the regulatory framework led by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Hīkina Whakatutuki (MBIE) and the ecosystem remains active and growing. MBIE is working through the future approach to standards management, certification, support functions and related activities.
While an important chapter has closed for Payments NZ and the industry, the API Centre leaves behind a thriving ecosystem built through years of industry collaboration. With established standards, proven capabilities and a track record of real-world implementation at scale, open banking enters its next phase from a position of strength.
Payments NZ remains committed to supporting a safe, modern and innovative payments system that serves New Zealanders well, and we look forward to seeing what the ecosystem achieves from here.
If you have any further questions, find out more in our FAQs.