Australasia stories - Page 3

Mastercard and Westpac have trialled New Zealand's first fully authenticated AI agent-led payments for cinema tickets and hotel bookings.

Rising claims, digital demands and real-time payments are reshaping how insurers across Australia and New Zealand collect and pay out.

Geotab has unveiled an AI-led telematics roadmap for Australia and New Zealand fleets, promising smarter safety and broader asset visibility.

Trans-Tasman small firms are upbeat and boosting tech and marketing, yet consumers report patchy service and missing digital basics.

AI agents are rapidly transforming sales teams in Australia and New Zealand, slashing grunt work and reshaping how sellers prospect and close deals.

Auckland agency Pead launches GEO service to help brands influence how AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot and Gemini answer consumer queries.

Oravida powers its Bay of Plenty bottling plant with a new solar farm as it chases export growth and stricter hotel sustainability demands.

Prism Sound taps Amber Technology to distribute its full pro audio range and bolster local support across Australia and New Zealand.

AI disruption, cyber threats and inflation now rank as top concerns for Australasian CEOs, even as most still plan to expand in 2026.

Event planners in Australia and New Zealand face tighter budgets, faster turnarounds and lingering doubts over AI's place in their work.

Hype & Dexter has rebranded as Avidly APAC, aligning with Avidly Group to scale HubSpot-focused services across Australia and New Zealand.

In 2026, AI shifts from dazzling pilots to disciplined performance, as trust, governance and human oversight overtake speed of deployment.

New Zealand health experts warn AI diet tips and unregulated social media weight-loss pills are fuelling dangerous, hidden health risks.

New Zealand design leader Dave Clark dies; agency bearing his name says leadership and ownership stay unchanged under co-founders.

Elite appoints former law firm executive Kirk Rogers as Head of APAC Sales to drive its next phase of legal tech growth across the region.

iGoDirect enters New Zealand with instant web‑to‑wallet Visa rewards, aiming to replace plastic gift cards in corporate loyalty schemes.

Tineco's Carpet One Cruiser wins spot on TIME's Best Inventions 2025 list, boosting its growing floorcare footprint in Australia and NZ.

Airwallex has named James Teodorini Head of ANZ to spearhead growth in Australia and New Zealand after hitting USD $235 billion in volume.

German test and measurement firm Rohde & Schwarz has opened its first dedicated New Zealand office, establishing a base in central Auckland.

Small firms across Australia and New Zealand turn to AI to sharpen 2026 growth, boost service standards and tackle persistent staff shortages.