Kia ora,
Welcome to the March edition of the HealthTech Activator (HTA) Monthly Wrap.
From pilots to system-wide adoption
March has seen continued momentum across New Zealand’s healthtech and biotech ecosystem, with a clear shift toward implementation and scale. This sits alongside ongoing system-level investment, including the Government’s recent $25 million funding boost to hospital capacity and staffing.
In early March, Health NZ completed a nationwide rollout of its AI-powered clinical scribe across public emergency departments. The tool is now supporting more than 1,250 clinicians, automating clinical documentation and reducing administrative burden. Early results indicate doctors were able to see an additional patient per shift, with 80% of staff reporting improved productivity or efficiency. Procurement is now underway to extend the tool further, including into mental health settings, signalling a move from pilot to system-wide adoption.
Translating capability into impact
The Life Sciences Summit 2026 brought together leaders across research, industry, investment and government, reinforcing a consistent theme: New Zealand has strong science capability, with increasing focus on the pathways required to move from innovation to clinical adoption, health system value, and commercial scale.
This direction is also reflected in broader sector signals. BioTech New Zealand’s refreshed positioning highlights a more coordinated, nationally aligned approach to growth, with greater emphasis on clinical trials, regulatory clarity, and articulating both economic and health outcomes.
New Zealand companies scaling globally
March also highlighted continued progress from New Zealand companies expanding into international markets.
On 6 March, Tauranga-based Carepatron announced the global expansion of its AI Clinical Support Co-Pilot into North America, the UK and Europe. Backed by the Māori Development Fund, with matched investment from the company, this support contributed to a 50% increase in export revenue and positions the company for continued growth offshore.
Building capability for responsible growth
Alongside implementation and growth, March activity also reflected a focus on how new technologies are adopted in practice.
On 19 March, the Ministry of Disabled People (Whaikaha) announced it is using its own workforce as a real-world testing environment for AI tools, with around half of staff identifying as disabled. This approach is generating practical insights into accessibility, usability and implementation, and is expected to inform broader guidance on responsible AI adoption across the public sector.
At the HTA, this focus on capability is reflected in our recent activity. In March, we launched the Build to Scale webpage, creating a single access point for tools spanning market validation, clinical evidence, regulatory strategy, and reimbursement. Alongside this, we delivered an in-person Health Economics workshop and the latest ISO 13485 QMS webinar, supporting companies to strengthen capability across key areas required for global markets.
These March signals reflect a sector that is continuing to progress beyond innovation, with growing emphasis on scale, adoption and capability.
If you are developing health technology and preparing for global markets, we encourage you to get in touch with the HTA team.
Build to Scale Series
We’ve launched the HTA Build to Scale webpage, bringing together resources to support one of the most critical phases for healthtech companies: scaling.
The series focuses on the realities of commercial growth, where capital, regulatory, clinical, and market dynamics must be navigated together. It provides practical tools to support companies moving toward international markets and investor readiness, complementing HTA support across market validation, reimbursement, and regulatory pathways.
Follow the HTA on LinkedIn to stay up to date as the series continues.
