Payments NZ appoints Michael Ahie as Chair of Board

Payments NZ has appointed Michael Ahie as Chair of its Board. He has served as an independent director since June 2025.

The appointment follows a board transition at the organisation, which oversees payment system governance in New Zealand. Ahie takes on the role as Payments NZ continues its work with banks, regulators and government agencies on the operation and development of the country's payments framework.

Continuity focus

The move is intended to provide continuity in leadership as the organisation remains focused on governance oversight and confidence in national payments infrastructure, which supports billions of dollars of economic activity each year.

Payments NZ said Ahie's experience as an independent director would help maintain oversight and accountability as payment systems evolve.

In comments released alongside the appointment, Ahie described payment systems as a core part of national infrastructure.

"Payments systems are essential national infrastructure. Having served on the Payments NZ Board as an independent director, I look forward to continuing that work as Chair - with a focus on governance oversight, accountability, and maintaining confidence in the system as it evolves," said Michael Ahie, Chair, Payments NZ.

Leadership view

Chief Executive Steve Wiggins said Ahie's time on the board would support a smooth handover and linked the appointment to the organisation's broader work on payments modernisation.

"Michael's experience as an independent director means he brings deep understanding and continuity into the Chair role. Strong governance is foundational to everything we deliver, while management remains focused on coordinating delivery and progress across payments modernisation," said Steve Wiggins, Chief Executive, Payments NZ.

Governance role

The chair position carries responsibility for accountability and assurance across systems widely used by consumers, businesses and public institutions. The role includes helping ensure those systems remain resilient and fair while adapting in a measured way.

That reflects the importance of governance in a payments network underpinning everyday transactions across the economy. Reliable settlement and transfer systems are central to commerce, and confidence in their oversight is closely watched by financial institutions and policymakers.

Payments NZ will continue working with industry participants as part of its ongoing programme in this area. The leadership change is intended to support continuity as that work progresses.

Ahie's appointment also gives the board a chair already familiar with the organisation's internal processes and current priorities, which may reduce disruption during the transition and keep attention on existing reform and oversight work.

The organisation framed the decision around continuity, governance and system confidence rather than a change in strategic direction. "Strong governance is foundational to everything we deliver, while management remains focused on coordinating delivery and progress across payments modernisation," said Wiggins.