Matt Doocey Leads NZ HealthTech Delegation to Australia for Digital Health Festival 2026

“HealthTech is one of New Zealand’s largest and fastest-growing technology subsectors, contributing $3.9 billion to the New Zealand economy in 2025,” Mr Doocey said.

New Zealand Minister for Mental Health and Associate Minister of Health Matt Doocey is travelling to Australia this week to strengthen trans-Tasman cooperation in digital healthcare innovation and mental health governance.

The Minister will attend the Digital Health Festival 2026 in Melbourne while also undertaking a series of meetings with Mental Health Commissions across several Australian states as part of New Zealand's upcoming review of its own Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission.

Mr Doocey said the visit represents an important opportunity to promote New Zealand's rapidly growing HealthTech sector on the international stage while learning from Australia's experience in mental health oversight and accountability.

"HealthTech is one of New Zealand's largest and fastest-growing technology subsectors, contributing $3.9 billion to the New Zealand economy in 2025," Mr Doocey said.

He noted that New Zealand companies are increasingly gaining international recognition for their role in developing digital health technologies designed to improve healthcare access, patient outcomes, and system efficiency.

"I'm looking forward to leading a delegation of 26 New Zealand HealthTech companies and organisations that are playing a pivotal role in developing innovative technologies to support the future of digital healthcare," he said.

The Minister highlighted that this year marks the largest-ever New Zealand representation at the Digital Health Festival, reflecting growing momentum and confidence within the sector.

"This is the largest-ever New Zealand presence at the Digital Health Festival, with participation having grown every year, a sign of the strong momentum across the industry," Mr Doocey said.

The Digital Health Festival is one of Australasia's leading healthcare technology events, bringing together healthcare professionals, technology companies, policymakers, innovators, investors, and digital transformation leaders from across the region.

The event focuses on emerging technologies including artificial intelligence in healthcare, telehealth services, digital patient management systems, wearable health devices, data-driven healthcare solutions, and innovations aimed at improving mental health services and patient care delivery.

Industry leaders say the HealthTech sector is becoming increasingly important as healthcare systems worldwide face rising pressure from ageing populations, workforce shortages, growing mental health needs, and increased demand for accessible healthcare services.

New Zealand's HealthTech industry has seen rapid expansion in recent years, with local companies developing solutions in remote patient monitoring, digital therapeutics, electronic medical systems, mental health applications, and AI-supported diagnostics.

Alongside promoting New Zealand innovation, Mr Doocey's visit will also focus heavily on mental health system governance.

During his trip, the Minister will visit Mental Health Commissions in Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia to gather insights ahead of New Zealand's upcoming review of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission.

"The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission has been an independent Crown entity in New Zealand for five years now. As a requirement, a review of the commission is to be undertaken," Mr Doocey said.

The New Zealand Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission was established to independently monitor and assess the country's mental health and addiction services while holding governments accountable for improving mental health outcomes.

Mr Doocey said the review is particularly significant because it will be the first formal assessment of the Commission since its establishment.

"This is the first time there has been a review since establishment and it's important that we get it right," he said.

The Minister emphasised the importance of ensuring the commission remains effective, independent, and capable of providing strong oversight of mental health services and policy implementation.

"This is an incredibly important role that holds any Government of the day to account. As we head into the review, I look forward to the opportunity to meet with commissions in Australia to hear directly from them about what's working, what's not and how they have best utilised the commission," Mr Doocey said.

Australia's state-based Mental Health Commissions play a key role in policy advice, service monitoring, advocacy, and independent reporting on mental health system performance. New Zealand officials are expected to examine how Australian commissions engage with communities, measure outcomes, and influence long-term mental health strategies.

Mental health remains a major policy focus in both New Zealand and Australia, with governments facing increasing demand for services, particularly among young people, rural communities, and vulnerable populations.

Experts believe stronger governance, better accountability systems, and digital innovation will be critical to improving future mental health outcomes and healthcare delivery across both countries.

Mr Doocey departed New Zealand on 18 May and is scheduled to return on 23 May following the completion of the visit.