eHealthTALK NZ

In this episode Phil Baskerville, Digital Project Director for the New Dunedin Hospital, talks about the vision, planning and innovation behind one the country's largest health infrastructure project. From designing a paperless hospital and creating digitally enabled patient journeys to overcoming complex infrastructure challenges and preparing staff for change, Phil shares how the project is reim...

MTANZ chief executive Cushla Smyth discusses the themes and highlights of the MTANZ conference this June 29-30 in Auckland including; -       How the new medical device procurement system is progressing -       The Medical Products Bill and potential impact of political shifts on health tech regulation -       Practical insights on integrating AI tools in healthcare -       The synergy between res...

Protecting health data isn’t just a technical challenge, but a shared responsibility that is critical to maintaining patient trust and system resilience. In this episode Pete Booth, Acting Chief Information Security Officer at Health New Zealand, discusses the evolving cyber landscape in healthcare. He talks about bolstering cybersecurity in health, from managing third-party risks and enforcing th...

This episode covers the redesign and goals of the Digital Health Week Conference 2026 being held on Nov 18-19 in Auckland - emphasising inclusivity, industry engagement, and sustainable impact. HiNZ CEO Alex Kemp and DHA CEO Stella Ward discuss how the partnership between the two associations is creating a connected and action-driven event, bringing together diverse stakeholders for meaningful cha...

ProCare CEO Bindi Norwell shares practical insights on what it takes to turn innovation into everyday practice in primary care. She unpacks how to accelerate adoption among time-poor clinicians, why making new tools habitual is the key to lasting impact, and how a collaborative, scale-ready approach can transform care for millions. Bindi also highlights the cultural shift required for meaningful c...

Third Age Health Geriatrician Dr Jackie Broadbent and clinical change coordinator Madelaine Young explain what drove the development of the new Elder Care Standards and the impact they have had since implementation. They discuss why is it important to hold medical providers to a clear set of quality standards when delivering care in aged residential care facilities. Also, how technology is evolvin...

Darren Douglass, Acting Chief Information Technology Officer at Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora speaks to Rebecca McBeth about the challenges and opportunities in the new 10-year Health Digital Investment Plan.  He also discusses the creation of the Centre for Digital Modernisation in Health, created to deliver the plan. Recorded during Digital Health Week 2025, held in Christchurch November 25-26...

This episode explores an IDI (Integrated Data Infrastructure) project from Blind Low Vision New Zealand, which is using data to illuminate the life outcomes of the blind and visually impaired, revealing insights that challenge perceptions and aim to drive policy change.  Cain Richardson and Tori Van Loewenhout discuss the drivers behind the project, issues around data standardisation and the power...

This episode explores the unique origins of electronic medical record (EMR) system Tamanu, with guests Edwin Monk-Fromont and Megan Lane from Beyond Essential Systems.  Tamanu was designed with a people-first approach, aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery in low-resource settings across the Pacific.  Learn how Tamanu's open-source, mobile-enabled technology and standards based approach to intero...

MTANZ board member Aisling Weir explores the history and complexities of medical device regulation in New Zealand. She discusses the challenges and opportunities within the evolving landscape of medical technology and how new legislation - the Medical Products Bill  - aims to address these issues.  Also, the difficulty of regulating AI in relation to medical devices and what New Zealand could lear...

Matt Devonald, Patient Services Manager at Forte Health, discusses the private hospital’s journey from paper to digital patient onboarding with Personify Care. He talks about how this transition has streamlined patient onboarding, improved the patient experience, and contributed to the organisation’s sustainability goals. Matt reflects on the challenges faced when going digital, Forte’s co-design...

In this episode Sally Britnell, a disability advocate and senior lecturer, discusses the challenges and barriers faced by disabled people in the healthcare sector. Sally shares her personal journey of working in health and the importance of representation in the health workforce. She reflects on the current state of inclusivity, experiences of discrimination, and explores the need for universal de...

Digital accessibility consultant Callum McMenamin, founder of Open Access, talks about creating inclusive digital environments for blind and low vision people, particularly within health and social care.  Callum shares his journey into accessibility, his work on government web standards, and the creation of the “Accessibility Loser Board” that highlights areas needing urgent improvement.  The disc...

This episode explores the journey of Tāmaki Health as they integrated the Heidi AI medical scribe across New Zealand’s largest independent primary healthcare group.  Guests discuss how the technology is streamlining administrative tasks, enhancing the overall efficiency of clinicians and improving staff wellbeing, as well as patient experience.  Also, the challenges faced, and the outcomes achieve...

Lisa Tumahai, chief executive of Pōkeka Poutini Ngāi Tahu Ltd, shares insights on the challenges and successes of implementing digital solutions to enhance service delivery and efficiency in rural health care.  The discussion covers the integration of technology into health and social care services, the importance of data sovereignty, and the future of digital health, including the role of AI. 

Can artificial intelligence help to transform aged care without losing the human touch?  In this episode of eHealth Talk NZ , Third Age Health’s CTO Sanjeewa Samaraweera and nurse practitioner Elle Dagley discuss the opportunities and risks of AI in supporting older adults.  From predictive risk management and clinical note-taking to tackling loneliness and enabling independent living, they explor...

In the first of a four-part podcast collaboration between HiNZ and Blind Low Vision NZ, digital accessibility consultant Neil Jarvis discuss the critical issue of accessibility in healthcare for Blind and Low Vision people and the current mixed state of accessibility within the healthcare system.  His personal experiences reveal significant gaps in accessibility, the importance of providing inform...

Ryl Jensen, the outgoing CEO of the Digital Health Association, reflects on her journey in digital health, the shifts in New Zealand's health landscape, and the importance of collaboration and innovation. Ryl discusses the challenges faced by the sector, and the need for a connected health system that empowers patients and clinicians, as well as advice for those looking to get into the world of da...

In the first of a four-part collaborative series with the Medical Technology Association of New Zealand, eHealth Talk host and HiNZ media editor Rebecca McBeth interviews MTANZ CEO Cushla Smyth about the challenges facing medical device suppliers and the future of the sector. They discuss findings from MTANZ’s latest member survey, procurement delays, the lack of clarity over whether Pharmac or He...

HiNZ CEO Scott Arrol reflects on 25 years of HiNZ in Aotearoa and his vision for the future. From the organisation’s roots in nursing informatics to its role today as the trusted community for digital health, Scott discusses his own background in health and the evolving challenges and opportunities facing the sector.  Celebrate the 25th anniversary of HiNZ at Digital Health Week 2025 in Ōtautahi C...

Sharyn MacDonald, Chief of Radiology at Health NZ Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury, explores the evolving role of artificial intelligence in radiology to improve patient safety and access to care. Sharyn shares insights into how Health NZ is assessing the potential use of AI tools - from fracture detection to improving diagnostic workflows - and discusses the importance of clinician-led innovation,...

Auckland GP Reza Jarral discusses his research plans after being awarded the prestigious 2025–2026 Harkness Fellowship to travel to the US and investigate how digital health tools and behavioural science can be harnessed to improve health outcomes. He discusses how consumer technologies, such as wearables, health apps, and digital coaches, can drive behaviour change, and his hopes to translate thi...

Michael Dreyer, Deputy Chief Executive of Technology and Data at ACC, shares his vision for modernising ACC’s systems to better support injury prevention, rehabilitation, and client outcomes: covering everything from data sharing and privacy to the potential of AI and predictive analytics.

Te Taka Keegan, co-director Māori of the AI Institute at Waikato University, explores the intersection of Te Reo Māori, tikanga, and artificial intelligence. From training large language models to protecting Māori data sovereignty, Te Taka shares insights on how AI can be both a powerful tool and a cultural risk, and discusses the importance of Māori leadership in shaping Aotearoa’s digital future...

eHealth Talk spoke to Kiwi GPs Dr Richard Medlicott and Dr Karl Cole in March 2024 when they were at the start of their journey using AI-powered medical scribes during patient consultations. One year on we check back in to hear about lessons learnt over the past 12 months and advice for other health professionals thinking of using the technology in their own practice.