Avarua, Cook Islands – 12 September 2025 – A new homegrown digital finance solution, Smartie, is gradually expanding its services across the Pacific. First launched in the Cook Islands in late 2024, the Smartie app brings together cashless payments, financial tools, and lifestyle services in a single platform.

The application supports instant local payments and offers businesses tools for payroll and transaction management. Importantly, it includes offline functionality, which allows payments to be made in remote areas with limited internet connectivity, which is a common challenge in the region.

In August 2025, Smartie added a food delivery service, currently operating with 15 restaurants in the Cook Islands. The service allows both locals and visitors to order food for pickup or delivery, with payments made through either bank cards or Smartie’s digital wallet.

Further features are planned, including the ability for users to pay merchants with stored cards directly through their phones, and SoftPOS solutions that would enable tap-and-pay transactions without the need for separate hardware. Smartie is also developing an e-commerce gateway for online payments.

In addition to payments, Smartie has introduced a financial literacy app for children and integrated spending analytics tools aimed at helping users better manage their finances. Work is also underway to support international remittances, a key financial flow for Pacific households.

These developments contribute to the Pacific Regional E-commerce Strategy and Roadmap, particularly:

• Measure 5.1.1: Promoting the establishment of new fintech providers focused on serving the entire region.
• Measure 5.1.4: Promoting the use of fintech-based solutions for transferring remittances.

Looking ahead, Smartie has announced intentions to expand into several other Pacific Island countries over the next two years, depending on government partnerships and regulatory alignment.

Reflecting on the broader challenge of introducing digital services in small island markets, Smartie’s founder, Brett Baudinet, noted:

“One of the biggest barriers to bringing smart technology into the Pacific has always been scalability. For Smartie to deliver services across the region, we need to work hand-in-hand with governments. By doing so, our people and businesses can benefit from the same digital opportunities available elsewhere in the world.”

Stakeholders note that while Smartie is a private-sector initiative, its presence contributes to wider regional efforts to increase digital financial inclusion and support the growth of e-commerce.