Our Advocacy for the Digital Health Sector
Our advocacy work is at the heart of everything we do. At the Digital Health Association, we are committed to advancing digital health across Aotearoa, New Zealand. As the leading voice for the digital health sector, we work tirelessly to ensure that digital health remains a priority on the national agenda. Our advocacy efforts focus on shaping and contributing to policy, driving industry collaboration, and influencing decision-makers to foster a health ecosystem that embraces digital innovation.
Please read our recent reports and submissions below.
DHA Members — We want to hear from you! Share your stories, insights, and challenges in our Issues & Opportunities Register. Your input will help shape our media and advocacy efforts.
Submissions
17 March 2025
DHA Letter to the Incoming Minister of Health – Hon Simeon Brown
This letter from the DHA’s CEO to New Zealand’s Health Minister introduces their briefing document with five key recommendations: increasing digital health funding to 5% of Vote Health, creating a Health Infrastructure Entity, modernizing procurement, developing public-private partnerships, and restoring critical digital programs. It emphasizes collaborative partnership between government and industry to advance digital health solutions.
17 March 2025
DHA Briefing to the Incoming Minister
The Digital Health Association’s briefing urges New Zealand’s incoming Health Minister to increase investment in digital health infrastructure to enable better healthcare outcomes. It recommends establishing a Health Infrastructure Entity, enhancing procurement practices, leveraging public-private partnerships, and restoring critical digital programs paused by budget cuts.
29 January 2025
DHA Letter to the Incoming Minister of Health, Hon Simeon Brown
This submission from Ryl Jensen, CEO of the Digital Health Association, urges Hon Simeon Brown to prioritise digital health amid $500 million in funding cuts. It advocates for investment in digital infrastructure, interoperable data systems, and public-private partnerships to drive efficiency and equity.
10 December 2024
Digital Mental Health Summit Report
The Digital Mental Health Summit Report (December 2024) outlines key discussions, challenges, and solutions from a national summit focused on enhancing digital mental health and addiction services in New Zealand. It explores the vision for a Digital Mental Health Hub, identifies gaps in the sector, and presents actionable strategies for improving digital integration, accessibility, and service delivery.
24 October 2024
Live Stream: DHA submission to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee
The DHA’s submission highlights non-tariff barriers restricting digital health exports, urging government action on regulation, trade, infrastructure, and procurement. CEO Ryl Jensen shares industry examples, calling for policy changes to support growth and global competitiveness.
24 October 2024
DHA Submission to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee
The Digital Health Association highlights non-tariff barriers limiting New Zealand’s digital health exports and sector growth.
29 July 2024
Submission on the Repeal of the Therapeutic Products Act
The DHA’s submission supports repealing the Therapeutic Products Act, arguing its broad SaMD regulation stifles innovation, increases costs, and limits digital health progress. CEO Ryl Jensen urges agile, risk-proportionate legislation that ensures safety while supporting industry growth and efficiency.
4 December 2023
DHA Briefing to the Incoming Minister
The DHA’s Briefing urges government action on digital health governance, funding, interoperability, and workforce training. CEO Ryl Jensen calls for a Digital Health Agency and investment to boost healthcare efficiency, innovation, and resilience.
21 November 2023
DHA Supplementary Order Paper for SaMD
The following document is a Supplementary Order Paper the DHA had constructed as part of our submission for SaMD.
16 April 2023
Further evidence on SaMD to the Health Select Committee
The following document is further evidence presented to the Health Select Committee by the DHA on the regulation of Software as a Medical Device and the problems associated with poor regulation.
1 March 2023
DHA Submission on the Therapeutic Products Bill 2022
The DHA’s final submission warns that broad SaMD regulations could stifle innovation and growth. CEO Ryl Jensen urges risk-based, proportionate legislation to support digital health progress while ensuring patient safety.
24 January 2023
HGM Memorandum Therapeutic Products Bill
The DHA’s memorandum outlines compliance risks in the Therapeutic Products Bill 2022, urging member feedback to ensure balanced SaMD regulation that supports innovation and growth.
Reports & Guides
29 October 2024
United Nations Digital Health Symposium 24-25 September 2024 Report
The United Nations Digital Health Symposium 2024 explored innovative strategies in global healthcare, focusing on the transformative “Stay Left, Shift Left, 10X” (SL210X) approach. This framework advocates for shifting care from hospitals to community settings, aiming to improve accessibility and sustainability.
23 July 2024
DHA Parliamentary Workshop Outputs
This document summarises the DHA Australia-New Zealand Digital Health Parliamentary Workshops, highlighting interoperability, policy alignment, workforce development, equity, and cross-border digital health collaboration.
23 November 2023
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) Guide
The Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) working group’s mahi has culminated in the publication of the Aotearoa New Zealand Remote Patient Monitoring Guide 2023. The Guide has been developed in association with the DHA, building on the 2021 guidelines with updates to reflect current use and technologies. Examples of practical learnings and case studies have been added to the document to
1 June 2022
Optimising our digital mental health, addiction and wellbeing ecosystem – DWIG Report
This DWIG report explores how digital solutions can transform mental health, addiction, and wellbeing services in Aotearoa. It highlights barriers, proposes strategic partnerships, and outlines actionable steps to improve equity and access, leveraging technology to create a responsive, integrated, and culturally inclusive digital ecosystem.
8 March 2022
Hauora, Mauri Ora – Enabling a Healthier Aotearoa New Zealand
This report, Hauora, Mauri Ora: Enabling a Healthier Aotearoa New Zealand, presents an updated analysis of New Zealand’s digital health landscape. It explores opportunities for digital innovation in healthcare, highlighting key challenges, potential solutions, and strategic recommendations to improve equity, access, and outcomes. The report calls for a national digital health strategy, governance structures, and investment in digital solutions to