Overview
New Zealand’s healthcare system comprises of public, private, and voluntary sectors. Around 85% of New Zealand’s healthcare is government funded. New Zealand citizens receive free or subsidized healthcare. Although the quality of care is very good, Maori, Pasifika, and people with disabilities are recorded as experiencing poorer health outcomes. To address these inequalities, Health New Zealand was launched on July 1, 2022 to manage New Zealand’s public hospitals and the commissioning of primary and community health services. A key objective of Health New Zealand is to reduce complexity and waste on administrative duplication of non-health services as well as centralizing procurement requirements. Health New Zealand has announced it will adopt new and innovative digital technologies to help both patients access services and for health workers to provide services.
The private healthcare system is dominated by Southern Cross Healthcare, which also runs a small network of hospitals and works closely with the public healthcare system. There are several private chains specializing in geriatric care.
The United States is New Zealand’s largest source of healthcare products.
New Zealand’s healthcare sector is very receptive to U.S. technologies and is constantly seeking new solutions that can add value to a healthcare system under constant pressure to minimize costs while delivering rising standards of excellence.
Table 1: Medical Devices Data, 2020-2023 est.
|
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 Estimated |
|
Total Local Production (Estimated) |
500 |
900 |
800 |
800 |
|
Total Exports |
840.2 |
787.8 |
196.9 |
700 |
|
Total Imports |
721.8 |
791.1 |
1,023.6 |
800 |
|
Total Imports from the US |
222.9 |
265.6 |
375.0 |
200 |
|
Total Market Size |
781.6 |
803.3 |
1626.7 |
900 |
|
Exchange Rates |
1.45 |
1.42 |
1.41 |
1.55 |
Unit: USD Millions
Source: Source: TPIS, Office of Trade and Economic Analysis, Department of Commerce
Table 2: Pharmaceutical Data: 2020-2023 est.
|
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 Estimated |
|
Total Local Production (Estimated) |
1000 |
1000 |
1000 |
1000 |
|
Total Exports |
318.3 |
371.1 |
375.0 |
380 |
|
Total Imports |
961.5 |
730.5 |
1577.3 |
800.0 |
|
Imports from the US
|
107.4 |
137.3 |
75.5 |
140 |
|
Total Market Size |
1646.2 |
1359.4 |
2501.8 |
1420 |
|
Exchange Rates |
1.45 |
1.42 |
1.41 |
1.55 |
Unit: USD Millions
Source: TPIS, Office of Trade and Economic Analysis, Department of Commerce
Leading Sub-Sectors
AIR: Ambulance Services
ICT: Digital Health
MED: Cardio and Orthopedic equipment
Opportunities
Climate Change: New Zealand is required by law to be carbon neutral by 2050 (Zero Carbon Act). This means the construction of new public buildings (including hospitals) must plan to reduce emissions as well as plan for climate changes and outcomes such as an increase in infectious diseases, chronic diseases, mental health, injuries, and deaths. The healthcare sector is a high user of disposable items and energy including transport e.g., ambulances.
In general, New Zealand’s healthcare sector is receptive to new solutions that can add value to a healthcare system under pressure to minimize costs and deliver rising standards of excellence for its aging population.
As New Zealand’s aging population increases, so does its public health funding for new and existing screening programs e.g., bowel screening, as well as diseases associated with aging including diabetic care and diet. (One in three New Zealanders is currently categorized as obese.)
Increased investment for people with physical, intellectual, or sensory impairments is targeted by the government as part of its well-being mandate. Mental health awareness is extremely topical and offers opportunities in helping lower New Zealand’s suicides.
Investment in this country’s digital health infrastructure and ambulance services (air and road) also offer opportunities for U.S. companies. Additionally, telehealth and innovative technologies are important to leverage advances in communications and data managements as well as the rise of wearables and remote diagnostics.
Resources
Trade event: There are various industry conferences, but no major healthcare trade shows in New Zealand.
New Zealand Government agencies active in this sector:
New Zealand private sector organizations active in this sector: