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Whakarongorau Aotearoa/New Zealand Telehealth Services will become an anchor tenant of Microsoft New Zealand’s new hyperscale cloud region, set to open later this year.
The move means the organisation’s core Spectrum Telehealth System, provided by Valentia Technologies, will be integrated into a single platform hosted in Microsoft’s region and enable modernisation to a cloud-native and secure zero trust architecture.
That would enable nurses, counsellors and support teams to reach more New Zealanders on more platforms than ever and help to retain health data securely in New Zealand.
Whakarongorau joins the likes of Fonterra, BNZ, ASB, PwC and the Accident Compensation Corporation in announcing their Microsoft-based cloud shifts.
The shift is also expected to enhance Whakarongorau’s ability to deliver health services and digital care at a greater scale. Removing friction in systems and processes would accelerate innovation to improve health outcomes, including for those who find it difficult to access in-person services.
“With the new hyperscale cloud region, we’re not only scaling our services but transforming the way we provide care into the future,” said Mike Mulvaney, CIO of Whakarongorau.
“This agreement with Microsoft will allow us to deliver secure, seamless services across digital and AI platforms, ensuring we meet New Zealanders’ needs wherever they are.”
Microsoft New Zealand managing director Vanessa Sorenson said the pandemic demonstrated the need for healthcare providers to be able to scale up and innovate quickly.
“It’s especially inspiring for us at Microsoft to be part of helping nurses, mental health specialists and other frontline health workers provide better access to those who traditionally get left behind,” she said.
Whakarongorau, which provided telehealth services to support the COVID-19 response, provides over 35 health and mental health services across digital channels, responding to 1.8 million contacts and supporting one in four people in New Zealand.
It operates services such as Healthline, Quitline and mental health and domestic violence support which are a critical support to the health system, especially during peak periods and in times of crisis.
Over the last two years, Whakarongorau has undergone significant digital transformation. A contact centre platform replacement in 2023, for instance, modernised telehealth operations, enabling the organisation to meet growing demand with a scalable, resilient cloud platform.
The next phase, backed by the cloud region move, focuses on integrating advanced AI tools to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency through real-time transcription, and sentiment analysis.
“This is more than a technology change; it’s a fundamental shift in how telehealth is delivered in Aotearoa,” Mulvaney said.