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 interoperability is transforming patient care throughout the region and beyond. 

Edwin and Megan also discuss the importance of co-design, and future integrations of AI.

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 learn from how international regulatory agencies are approaching this.

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 approach and what this successful project enables for the future.

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 design in workplaces.

Also, the role of digital tools in enhancing accessibility, the support employers can provide, and the importance of education in fostering understanding among health staff.

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 discussion explores challenges and systemic barriers in health and disability services, and the role of standards and emerging technologies like AI in shaping a more accessible and equitable digital future for all New Zealanders.

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 achieved through their innovative collaborative approach. 

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 explore where AI can make the biggest impact – and why dignity and human connection must always come first.

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 information in preferred formats, and the need for systemic changes and national policies to ensure equitable access to healthcare services. 

Neil's vision is for an inclusive healthcare experience that respects the dignity and autonomy of all patients. 

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 data and digital health.

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 Health NZ will manage medical device contracting, and what this uncertainty means for investment and patient access to new technologies.

Cushla also shares her vision for building a thriving, patient-focused medical technology industry in Aotearoa.

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 Christchurch - register to attend online 

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, and ensuring safe implementation. 

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 this research into both clinical practice and national policy back in New Zealand.

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. 

Te Taka is a keynote speaker at the HiNZ Digital Health AI Summit being held on May 20-21 in Wellington, NZ.

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.

This episode explores a new report from HiNZ, highlighting concerns raised in a workforce survey about digital health funding cuts and their potential consequences for patient care, as well as opportunities for targeted investment.

With guests - HiNZ acting CEO Scott Arrol and director of engagement Alex Kemp.

Find the report online 

Dr Carol McAllum, Director of Quality & Partnerships for Mercy Hospice and Palliative Medicine Specialist and Anneke Barkwith, Nurse Practitioner and founder of Hub Aged Care, discuss what holistic  palliative care entails and how these are integrated in aged care settings. Sponsored by Third Age Health. 

Nursing and Midwifery Informatics Special Interest Group executive members Emma Collins and Elf Eggimann discuss themes for the upcoming eHealth Nursing and Midwifery Workshop on Dec 3, including how to amplify the nursing and midwifery voice in digital health and turning plans into practice when it comes to deploying clinical solutions that really work for users.
See the workshop agenda online

Ministry of Health Chief Allied Health Professions Officer Martin Chadwick and co-chair of the National Allied Health Scientific and Technical Informatics Group Charlene Tan-Smith discuss themes from the upcoming eAllied Health workshop at Digital Health Week in December; turning data into meaningful information, applying AI in clinical practice and ensuring digital solutions are designed with users in mind.

Third Age Health chief executive Tony Wai discusses the use of telehealth to provide care to New Zealand’s older population, its impact on the aged care workforce and on the wider health system. 

Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora Chief Information Security Officer Sonny Taite discusses the Cybersecurity Uplift Programme, the creation of a national Security Operations Centre to monitor and respond to security events, and why Health NZ was not significantly impacted by the July CrowdStrike outage.   

Rogan Clarke, director of integration and delivery at Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora, discusses his vision for integration across the health sector, key milestones on that journey and the collaboration needed to achieve it. 

Michael Dreyer, director sector digital channels at Health New Zealand, Te Whatu Ora discusses his team's key delivery milestones so far, what's coming next, and their approach to developing solutions for the health sector.