eHealthNews.nz: AI & Analytics

New AI strategy highlights potential for healthcare

Tuesday, 15 July 2025  

NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth 

AI-powered diagnostic technology in healthcare is highlighted as an example of how Kiwi businesses can tailor AI to deliver world-leading solutions, says science, innovation and technology Minister Shane Reti.

Announcing the launch of the government’s AI Strategy - Investing with confidence – Reti said New Zealand organisations are in the early stages of artificial intelligence exploration and adoption.

The strategy aims to accelerate business adoption and remove legislative barriers to implementation. 

“AI could add $76 billion to our GDP by 2038, but we are falling behind other small, advanced economies on AI-readiness and many businesses are still not planning for the technology,” he said.

“New Zealand’s strength lies in being smart adopters. From AI-powered precision farming techniques to diagnostic technology in healthcare, Kiwi businesses can tailor AI to solve our unique challenges and deliver world-leading solutions.”

Reti says in the strategy foreword that it complements work by Minister for digitising government Judith Collins, who is driving adoption of AI within the public sector with the recent release of the Public Service AI Framework. 

The Government Chief Digital Officer is already rolling out AI training programmes for public service leaders as part of a broader strategy to accelerate AI adoption across government departments.

 



“Together, these initiatives aim to position New Zealand as a leader in responsible AI adoption,” Reti said.

"My message to our business community is: invest with confidence in AI.”

HiNZ chief executive Scott Arrol welcomed Reti’s message to businesses. 

“I entirely agree with the report’s central premise that AI is the biggest opportunity of our time and that our health system and digital health industry is well positioned to reap the benefits,” he says.

In May, HiNZ hosted the Digital Health AI Summit with more than 220 health leaders from across the country. The organisation has produced a Table topic discussion report and is about to release a ‘Practical guide to navigating AI in health in Aotearoa’, both based on more than 140 hours of expert-led discussions at the Summit.

“AI presents significant opportunities to improve care, reduce pressure on services, and enhance outcomes across New Zealand’s health and disability system. However, these benefits can only be realised through safe, equitable, and practical implementation and our role at HiNZ is to help enable that,” Arrol says.

AI tools are already being explored and adopted in New Zealand’s health system, such as growing use of AI-powered scribes by GPs and other health professionals.

Associate health minister David Seymour recently empowered Pharmac and Medsafe to explore using AI to speed up their processes and in February health minister Simeon Brown launched an AI-powered diabetes retinal screening pilot programme aimed at improving screening rates for Pacific community in South Auckland.  

The new strategy prioritises practical deployment in industries like healthcare and farming, including a ‘light-touch’ regulatory approach that builds on existing laws such as the Privacy Act and Human Rights Act, while providing new guidance tailored to AI-specific risks.

It identifies eight action areas, including supporting business adoption, building public confidence, providing regulatory clarity, and attracting international investment and talent. 

The government says it will also act as an ‘anchor customer’ for AI products and services, helping to stimulate local demand and innovation.

Reti says that New Zealanders will need to develop trust and give social licence to AI use, so the Government has also released Responsible AI Guidance to help businesses safely use, develop and innovate with the technology.

 

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