Kia ora Readers
Welcome to our new look monthly update about what is happening in the New Zealand blockchain world.
RadioNZ has published a comprehensive summary of blockchain in New Zealand which asks is New Zealand dragging the blockchain? It’s worthwhile reading and sharing with those people in your life who don’t quite ‘get’ blockchain.
While the question has been asked if New Zealand is lagging in this space, an answer came earlier this week when New Zealand became the first country to legally allow companies to pay salaries in cryptocurrencies.
A new ruling by the Inland Revenue Department, which comes into effect on 1 September, will make it legal for employees in New Zealand to be paid in cryptocurrency, as long as the preferred digital coin is pegged to at least one standard or fiat currency.
Recently, we have been partnering with our Government members to help improve the general understanding of blockchain across Government. However, we are also keen to help remove any barriers to growth for the New Zealand blockchain ecosystem. So please get in touch if you’d like us to be working on any challenges you have.
Monthly Blockchain Meetups
If you live in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch we encourage you to attend our informal monthly blockchain and crypto community meetups.
The Auckland meetups are typically held on the first Thursday of the month (next one on Thursday 5 September), while the Christchurch events are held on the last Wednesday of the month (upcoming ones on Wednesday 28 Augustand Wednesday 25 September.) Wellington doesn’t currently have any scheduled, but keep an eye on their meetup page for updates.
Share your news with us
We are keen to share your news with the rest of the BlockchainNZ community. If you’ve come across interesting blockchain stories, please let us know. Likewise, if your organisation has something to shout about, make sure we are aware of it.
Ngā mihi nui
From the team at BlockchainNZ
NEWS AND EVENTS
IBM has filed a new patent application for a blockchain-based web browser which is backed by a peer-to-peer network. They have also partnered with Fortune 500 companies to unveil a blockchain-based ‘Trust Your Supplier’ network.
ASB Bank has invested in TradeWindow, a startup working to put trade finance on a blockchain.
Facebook is already flooded with fake Libra cryptocurrency scams and the currency hasn’t even launched.
Get your ticket for the Canterbury Tech Summit happening on 12 September.
Want to learn more about the Internet of Things? Attend the IoT Alliance’s half-day conference on 3 October in Auckland
New Zealand-based blockchain studio Centrality is one of the driving forces behind an Australian university’s initiative to offer a cryptocurrency PhD Scholarship Fund.
Visa CEO Al Key has said they will not join the Libra Association if it can not meet or exceed the expectations, rules and laws of regulators around the world.
Nestle to pilot using blockchain to manage its supply chain and food tracking operations in New Zealand.
The 2019 NZ Cyber Security Summitand the 2019 NZ Digital Identity Summit will be held in Wellington on 16 October.
NZTech is seeking your feedback on improvements to the R&D Tax Incentive.
