NZ Health Tech Exports Surge as Local Company Captures One-Third of UK Market Share

Key Takeaways

Chiptech, a health tech company from Christchurch, is successfully expanding into Europe after dominating the Australian and UK markets.
The health tech sector in New Zealand is worth approximately $4 billion annually, showing an 8% growth from the previous year.
Chiptech’s digital personal alarms are popular due to their support for an aging population, accounting for 90% of the company’s business.

Company Overview and Expansion Plans

Chiptech, a Christchurch-based company specializing in health tech, is establishing itself as a major player in the sector, which is growing rapidly in New Zealand. With a strong presence in the Australian and UK markets, Chiptech is now aiming to expand into Europe. The firm, started by Abby Moore’s father 30 years ago, initially focused on developing solutions to enhance home safety and well-being. Under Moore’s leadership, Chiptech has developed its seventh version of digital personal emergency alarms, which have garnered substantial popularity.

Currently, the company boasts approximately 400,000 connected users, capturing a third of the UK market share. This high engagement reflects the increasing demand for such technology, particularly due to the aging population. Moore highlighted that their devices enable individuals to live independently while being securely connected to caregivers.

Industry Growth and Workforce Expansion

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) spokesperson Daniel Taylor emphasized the health tech sector’s potential, noting its current annual worth of around $4 billion, with a promising growth rate of nearly 8% year-over-year. As Chiptech prepares to open an office in Spain, the company is also expanding its local workforce, with 75 employees in New Zealand and 60 in the UK, indicating robust growth potential.

Moore attributes some of Chiptech’s international success to New Zealand’s strong reputation for reliability and innovation. Kiwi brands are trusted in global markets, and this has played a key role in Chiptech’s ability to navigate expansion successfully. Looking ahead, both Moore and Taylor express optimism for the future of New Zealand’s health tech industry, as they continue to tackle various global challenges while seizing emerging opportunities.

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