Health NZ Scrubs "Cluttered" Internet of 344 Legacy Websites

Health New Zealand is scrubbing the internet of hundreds of legacy websites to improve security and save millions, amidst a quirky AI mix-up with a Timaru cafe.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 13, 2026, 4:55 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

The Cost of Consolidation

Since starting the consolidation in July 2024, Health NZ has moved to shut down or merge 344 separate websites. These ranged from niche clinical toolkits like "death docs" to major portals like My Covid Record and the Starship Children’s Hospital site.

Financial Breakdown:

Total Savings to Date: $21.4 million (one-off platform upgrade costs and ongoing hosting).

External Costs: $150,000 spent on a development consultant.

Internal Resources: The majority of the migration and decommissioning work was completed in-house.