McCrae Tech PAS Now Live Across Entire South Island.
A Decade-Long Digital Health Milestone Delivered
Christchurch, New Zealand – A major milestone in New Zealand’s digital health infrastructure has been reached with the final district in Te Waipounamu (South Island) now live on the SI PICS Patient Administration System (PAS), powered by McCrae Tech.
The successful go-live on the West Coast completes a ten-year regional programme to establish a single administrative backbone for hospital care across the South Island. SI PICS is now operational across all five districts, supporting more than 1.2 million New Zealanders — nearly a quarter of the country’s population.
“This milestone caps a decade of sustained collaboration — and it delivers real impact,” said Niru Rajakumar, CEO of Hospitals by McCrae Tech.
“With a single patient system now live across the South Island, we’ve made care safer and more seamless for over a million New Zealanders. It means fewer handoffs, faster treatment, and smoother journeys for patients, no matter where they live.
We congratulate Health NZ for their foresight and tenacity in seeing this through — it’s a powerful example of public-private partnership done right. It’s also a reminder that when New Zealand commits to long-term digital infrastructure, we can lead the world in joined-up, equitable care.”
What the South Island Now Has
· A single source of truth for patient administration and care episodes
· Integrated with Orion Health’s Clinical Portal, enabling regional visibility
· Shared waitlist and bed management, helping patients be seen faster
· Streamlined patient journeys between hospitals and districts
· A foundation for real-time planning, analytics, and integration with future services
The project began in 2014 following the Christchurch earthquakes, with Burwood Hospital going live in 2016. Canterbury and Nelson Marlborough followed in 2018, then South Canterbury (2022), Southern (2023), and now the West Coast in 2025.
“SI PICS is part of a broader digital transformation strategy, with ongoing enhancements and integration with other platforms. These efforts aim to maximise the value of the system and support future digital initiatives, including capital funding proposals to further develop and connect systems” said Kirsty Martin, Health New Zealand / Te Whatu Ora regional group manager integration and delivery. “It enhances coordination between hospitals and communities, provides a regional view of the patient journey, and delivers richer data insights that support improved patient care and outcomes.”
The rollout was led by Health New Zealand, in close partnership with McCrae Tech’s dedicated Professional Services Group (PSG) based in Christchurch.
Looking Ahead
“This isn’t just about software,” said Rajakumar. “It’s about building the digital foundations of a health system that works better for clinicians, funders, and most importantly, for the people it serves.”
ENDS
For media enquiries or to request interviews:
Cathy MacDonald
Head of Brand, McCrae Tech
0220766134