Labour supports principle of long-term digital health investment

NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth

Labour’s health spokesperson supports the principle of long-term investment in digital health but has stopped short of backing the Government’s 10-year Health Digital Investment Plan (HDIP), citing concerns about cybersecurity and transparency.

Health Minister Simeon Brown launched the plan and announced the creation of a Centre for Digital Modernisation of Health at Digital Health Week in November 2025. 

HDIP was published alongside a notice of future procurement opportunities including an electronic health record, remote patient monitoring, national radiology solutions, a national integrated operating centre and booking and scheduling.

Asked whether Labour supports the direction of the long-term plan, health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said more detail was needed before Labour could commit to support it.

“We would like to see more detail about how the plan will invest in cybersecurity, because the plan is vague,” Verrall tells eHealthNews. 

“I have asked detailed questions during select committee hearings but not had the answers we need to confidently support it.”

Her comments come amid heightened scrutiny of cybersecurity following a recent data breach at patient portal provider Manage My Health.

Verrall said Labour supports stronger enforcement of privacy and security obligations, aligning with recent comments from the Privacy Commissioner.

“The Privacy Commissioner has called for penalties to drive compliance and we back that call,” she said. 

“We need to undo the National government’s cuts to cybersecurity capability within Health NZ to support the primary care sector.”

Asked whether Labour would keep the HDIP in place if elected, Verrall said she supported the use of long-term plans to guide investment but that transparency was critical.

“I support the principle of long-term plans to guide sustained investment. That will only happen when there is a higher level of transparency from government.”

Verrall said Labour would continue to engage with the digital health sector on future investment priorities.

“I am always open to hearing from the wider sector about what the key opportunities are,” she said.

Alongside the investment plan, the Government announced the establishment of a Centre for Digital Modernisation of Health, which will coordinate delivery of large-scale digital programmes across the sector.

Image: Labour’s health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall

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