A fragmented IT environment under pressure
Over time, Raukura Hauora had become a patchwork of platforms and vendors, with many core processes still heavily manual, explains Chief Executive Sarina Ponga.
“We were still very much paper-based. When I started, we were only just implementing basics like multi-factor authentication.”
Data was duplicated in different places, and staff wasted time navigating multiple systems that did not always connect or communicate effectively.
“We had an over-complicated number of systems,” Operations General Manager Raquel Murray explains. “All those funding applications have their own preferred system we had to onboard.”
When something broke, responsibility was often unclear and resolution was slow, which was impacting whānau.
“The extensive IT delays impacted our ability to serve, with workarounds becoming part of day-to-day operations,” Raquel adds.
Their systems were not properly connected, and at times even basic tasks became difficult. Staff were travelling between sites simply to print paperwork because systems were not compatible and connectivity issues kept interrupting service.
“Documents would be flying out to different locations,” Raquel says. “We would have people drive documents to another site to print because we were so afraid that the paperwork would get leaked.”
A turning point and new IT partner
Raukura Hauora was close to signing with another IT provider until a chance encounter with FUJIFILM CodeBlue, the managed IT service provider of FUJIFILM Business Innovation New Zealand.
“I had the document in my hand to sign the contract,” Raquel recalls. “And I walked into our head office, and Stephan is sitting in our waiting room.”
What followed was not a polished sales pitch from Stephan Potgieter, Business Development Manager, but a direct and pragmatic conversation. FUJIFILM CodeBlue’s approach was to take ownership of problems, regardless of where they originated.
“We take on your problems, even if it’s not us that caused them,” Raquel remembers Stephan saying.
That commitment to accountability stood out. Instead of deflecting issues to third-party vendors, CodeBlue positioned itself as a single point of responsibility, something Raukura Hauora had been missing.
“I said, ‘So we’re not going to have instances where my team calls up and goes, “I’ve got a problem”, and they say, “Call this guy, get back to us”?’ Stephan said, ‘Absolutely not, we take it over.’”
Raquel requested that the leadership team hear Stephan’s proposal and make a comparative decision, as their IT environment required the right partner to help lead them forward.
Sarina is glad she did. “We needed a technology company that would help us to be in the best position to evolve with the changes that come in the door.”
Values first, technology second
Rather than rushing into implementation, FUJIFILM CodeBlue began with a comprehensive review of Raukura Hauora’s IT environment. The team mapped existing systems, identified risks and created a roadmap for improvement, covering infrastructure, security, data management and user experience.
More importantly, Raquel says CodeBlue did what many providers fail to do when entering a kaupapa Māori space. Rather than mirroring cultural practices superficially, the team focused on shared principles.
“You don’t need to be Māori, but you do need to have values that we can both understand,” Raquel explains.
“We’re very partnership-based, so for me it came down to, how do we work with your organisation and how will you look after my people?”
A robust foundation for long-term growth
FUJIFILM CodeBlue’s initial goal was simple: make systems faster, more reliable and easier to manage.
This phase of work included a network refresh, replacement of ageing equipment and improvements in connectivity across all Raukura Hauora sites. Network cabinets were also reorganised, cleaned up and made easier to maintain and troubleshoot.
Behind the scenes, servers were migrated to a cloud-based platform via a virtual private server to reduce physical hardware costs. Older systems were retired through server decommissioning and data centre reconfiguration, with data carefully migrated into the new environment.
Incremental improvements, big impact
Sometimes, solving the simplest issues can have the greatest impact. For Raukura Hauora staff, one of those issues was printing. It was unreliable, inefficient and posed potential privacy risks.
FUJIFILM Business Innovation New Zealand standardised the organisation’s printing systems and vendors. These systems are now secure and reliable across all sites.
“They not only dealt with the problem, but they’ve also shown us how we can improve, so we’re constantly moving forward,” Raquel adds.
Day to day, cloud-based tools such as Microsoft OneDrive have made it easier for staff to access and manage information. With centralised storage and improved sharing controls, everyone is working from the same files, helping simplify the experience for whānau.
“If we can make the journey a lot easier and help whānau navigate an already complex system that we don’t have control over, then we need to do that,” says Sarina.
It also means important documentation remains safe if something happens to a device.
“I can break every laptop I receive and still access my documents,” Raquel laughs.
Staff computers and phones are configured consistently and secured using Microsoft Intune, a cloud-based device management tool that improves data and password protection. This also makes it easier for IT support to resolve issues.
More positive outcomes across Raukura Hauora
Managing specialised healthcare systems
Specialised healthcare systems are critical to daily operations but can be difficult to manage.
Raukura Hauora’s practice management system, Medtech, was several versions behind. After completing the upgrade, FUJIFILM CodeBlue now manages the vendor relationship on Raukura Hauora’s behalf. This removes a major burden from internal teams, allowing them to focus on whānau care.
Enabling mobile care: the dental unit
Raukura Hauora launched its mobile dental initiative to provide free dental care to Māori high school students.
FUJIFILM CodeBlue established the supporting technology so staff could securely access patient data while working in the field. Previously, technology and connectivity limitations restricted what the team could do. Today, they can provide care without returning to a local clinic to complete paperwork.
Strengthening cybersecurity awareness
Cybersecurity was another critical area for improvement. FUJIFILM CodeBlue implemented education and testing programmes to build awareness, including simulated phishing attacks.
The training is delivering positive results.
“In the most recent one, we saw approximately a 20% drop in access,” Raquel says. “We’re seeing evidence at our kaimahi level of how it’s influencing their work and lives, particularly within older age groups.”
Looking ahead: continuous improvement
Across every improvement, Raquel says FUJIFILM CodeBlue consistently demonstrates its commitment to building Raukura Hauora’s capability. That approach reflects Raukura Hauora’s own philosophy.
“CodeBlue have given us the knowledge base so we can become self-reliant on our IT journey.”
Almost two years into the partnership, Raukura Hauora is exploring more advanced capabilities, including reporting and AI-driven insights. Each step builds on the last, creating a more resilient and adaptable organisation.
“We want to move towards more technology, but we’ll do it at the speed that our whānau want to engage in it,” says Sarina.
With FUJIFILM CodeBlue’s support, Raukura Hauora’s technology will continue to evolve alongside the organisation, allowing its people to focus on what matters most: delivering better outcomes for whānau.
