Kia ora,
Welcome to the May edition of the HealthTech Activator (HTA) Monthly Wrap.
This month has marked an important period of transition across New Zealand’s science, innovation, and commercialisation ecosystem, with work continuing to establish the New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology (NZIAT).
As part of the Government’s wider science system reforms, the HealthTech Activator (HTA) will move to NZIAT from 1 July. While establishment planning continues across a number of areas, the focus remains on maintaining continuity of engagement with the healthtech ecosystem and supporting companies navigating the pathway from innovation through to impact.
Importantly, engagement with the healthtech ecosystem and support for companies navigating innovation and commercialisation pathways will continue throughout the transition period.
Existing communication channels and current engagements also remain unchanged at this stage, while planning continues around how HTA activities and capabilities will operate within NZIAT’s broader advanced technology focus.
About NZIAT
NZIAT has now launched its early public positioning as New Zealand’s fourth Public Research Organisation, focused on advanced technologies and strengthening connections between research, industry, investment, and commercialisation to help translate frontier research into frontier firms. You can explore the Institute’s early positioning and focus areas via the NZIAT website.
The Institute is positioning itself as a nationally connected platform model working across areas including:
- artificial intelligence
- advanced materials and magnetic technologies
- quantum technologies
Wider HealthTech Ecosystem Momentum
Alongside the transition activity, May also reflected continued momentum across the wider healthtech ecosystem. New Zealand healthtech companies participated in Australia’s Digital Health Festival in Melbourne through a coordinated NZTE and Medtech-iQ presence, highlighting growing international engagement and commercialisation activity. The event also featured Abbas Al-Murrani, with whom HTA has collaborated on reimbursement and health economics workshops and resources for healthtech companies. Explore more from Abbas through the HTA Build to Scale hub.
The strength of New Zealand’s healthtech ecosystem was also reflected in the 2026 New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards, with companies including Aroa Biosurgery, Alimetry, BioOra, Calocurb, Goodair Nosebuds, and oVRcome recognised among this year’s finalists across multiple categories.
Registrations have also opened for HealthTech Week 2026, bringing together the wider healthtech ecosystem across a week of events. HTA will be participating across the week alongside MTANZ, Te Tītoki Mataora, and the Digital Health Association for Aotearoa.
If you have any questions about the transition or how HTA may support your company throughout this period, please feel free to get in touch. Otherwise, wishing you a great month ahead.
