The New Zealand government has announced funding of around NZ$450 million ($270 million) to expand national cybersecurity monitoring and deliver essential IT upgrades across the public health system.In Budget 2026, it has set aside NZ$153.6 million ($91.7 million) for Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand's national cybersecurity monitoring. It includes beefing up 24/7 cybersecurity monitoring and response capability, especially in primary care; expanding specialist cybersecurity expertise; and delivering critical security upgrades. Te Whatu Ora is investing NZ$300 million ($179 million) to help deliver the first three years of the Health Digital Investment Plan, which covers work such as replacing old devices, modernising radiology systems, and upgrading core IT platforms. WHY IT MATTERS"[W]e are taking decisive action to strengthen cybersecurity, safeguard patient data, and ensure frontline services can continue operating without disruption," Health Minister Simeon Brown said in a statement. The minister emphasised that New Zealand people "should feel confident their health information is secure" and that frontline services are "resilient against cyber threats that could otherwise disrupt care."THE LARGER CONTEXTFunding for cybersecurity comes following a recent series of major cyberattacks on popular IT systems used across the country's health system. Before the New Year, the operator of a widely used patient portal in New Zealand, Manage My Health, reported a breach in its system affecting about 100,000 individuals. In February, medication management platform MediMap also disclosed a hack in its system. Private specialist care provider IntraCare went offline in March following a major cyberattack on its system. Last week, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, Te Whatu Ora, and the Ministry of Health all published reports on their respective review of the Manage My Health hack. Te Whatu Ora is expected to implement a new cybersecurity programme next year. It involves identifying and managing cyber risks posed by third‑party vendors and systems; strengthening accountability for fixing security risks; introducing annual audits of critical systems; and using scalable tools, including AI-enabled assessments, to improve cyber security maturity across primary care."Events like the Manage My Health incident were deeply concerning and showed the need for stronger safeguards and tighter oversight of third-party systems," Minister Brown stressed.Since 2024, the government has prioritised investments in frontline services and primary care access. "Budget 2026 reflects the government's continued focus on fixing the basics and building the future of our healthcare system with patients at the centre," the minister said.In a statement, the Digital Health Association noted that this year's budget is a "significant step toward treating digital health as [a] critical infrastructure." The advocacy body expressed its willingness to partner with the government and the wider sector to "get the [budget's] delivery right," particularly around primary and aged care.