12,000 AI Conversations Later: A Unique Window Into The Future Of Improving Wellbeing In NZ

(Auckland, New Zealand) Six months after the launch of Health New Zealand’s first endorsed AI powered wellbeing guide for adults, new data from Groov is revealing what New Zealanders are really seeking help for when support is available 24/7.

Since launching in partnership with Health New Zealand in October 2025, Ask Groov has facilitated more than 12,000 AI conversations that have helped create deeper understanding of the everyday challenges affecting Kiwis and how they are choosing to access support.

Key insights include:

• More than 12,000 AI conversations since launch
• 32% increase in user confidence and capability to manage their health and wellbeing after a single session
• Users rate the AI Health Coach feature 8.5 out of 10 for helpfulness.
• User safety maintained: No user has received unsafe content in normal use
• Sleep and stress are the most common topics and, together, account for 46% of all conversations.
• Relationship and family issues are growing, with users bringing increasingly complex personal situations
• Focus and concentration, depression and low mood round out the top five topics discussed on the platform

The findings offer a rare real-time snapshot of what is on people's minds when support is available anonymously, safely and around the clock.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey says “Ask Groov has delivered real results, giving more people faster access to support helping us get in early to prevent problems from escalating. It is exciting to hear that more people now have practical tools and strategies they can use to support their mental health during challenging times.”

Groov co-founder and mental health advocate Sir John Kirwan said the findings reinforce the need for accessible, preventative support.

"When people have a safe place to ask questions, they do. What we're seeing is that many New Zealanders aren't necessarily looking for intensive mental health interventions. They're looking for practical guidance to help them navigate everyday pressures before they become something bigger.

"The fact that sleep, stress and anxiety feature so strongly shouldn't surprise us. These are challenges affecting people every day. What's encouraging is that people are actively seeking support rather than waiting until they're in crisis," he adds.

Dr David Codyre, Groov's Lead Clinical Advisor and board member, said the results demonstrate how technology can help people access support earlier. "We know early intervention matters. Many of the people using Ask Groov are seeking support for issues that might otherwise go unaddressed. Providing access to trusted guidance in the moment someone needs it can make a meaningful difference."

How Ask Groov works

Ask Groov is the country's first Health NZ-endorsed AI-powered wellbeing guide for adults. Built on years of clinically reviewed wellbeing content and also drawing on the training program from Tamaki Health, national provider of Health Coach training for the Integrated Primary Mental Health and Addiction programme. The tool enables users to ask questions in their own words and receive evidence-based guidance grounded in expert-developed resources. The tool was developed in partnership with Health New Zealand and supported by the National AI and Algorithm Expert Advisory Group (NAIAEAG), helping ensure new AI tools in health are introduced safely, responsibly and with appropriate clinical oversight.

AI opportunities and risks are evolving rapidly across all industries, and health is no exception. Trust is foundational to technology adoption, which is why Groov maintains a strong focus on clinical, privacy, and AI safety. This week alone, Groov concluded three independent third-party reviews: a security penetration testing, a Privacy Impact Assessment and our ISO 27001 audit. All returned no high-risk findings.

Unsolicited testing by security consultants, academics and independent researchers is also common for platforms operating in new technology spaces. A recent unsolicited test identified some gaps which have since been closed. No user data was exposed and no users were affected at any point.

Unlike general-purpose AI tools, Ask Groov was designed specifically for wellbeing, with responses drawn from approved content and supported by safeguards that direct users to services such as 1737 when additional support is needed.

Introducing AI Health Coach

The insights generated through Ask Groov also highlighted a new opportunity. While many users were looking for answers to wellbeing questions, they were equally interested in practical support to help them follow through on positive changes.

In response, Groov launched AI Health Coach within the app on 30 March 2026. Designed to work alongside Ask Groov, the feature helps users move beyond information and into action by creating personalised action plans tailored to their goals, challenges and circumstances.

In its first two months, AI Health Coach generated 4,455 AI conversations and helped users create personalised action plans. These plans include commitments ranging from managing stress and improving sleep to increasing physical activity, booking GP appointments and reconnecting with friends and family. Interestingly, movement and exercise have emerged as the most common action-plan category despite rarely being the issue users initially raise during conversations.

Matt Krogstad, Chief Executive Officer of Groov, said the early results demonstrate that many people are looking for more than information alone. "Ask Groov showed us that people want trusted answers, but the data also revealed something else. Many people know they need to do something, they're just looking for help turning good intentions into action.

"AI Health Coach was built to bridge that gap. It helps people create practical, personalised plans and gives them the structure and encouragement needed to follow through. What we're seeing is that when people have a clear next step, they feel more capable and more confident about improving their health and wellbeing."

The single most meaningful data point from the AI Health Coach is that users report an average 32% increase in their confidence and capability to manage their health and wellbeing after a single AI coaching session. When asked how confident they felt about following through on their action plan, users rated themselves 8 out of 10 on average. Users rate the feature 8.5 out of 10 for helpfulness.”

From awareness to action

"Ask Groov showed us that people want trusted answers. What AI Health Coach has shown us is that they also want help turning those answers into meaningful change. The most powerful part isn't necessarily the advice itself. It's helping people identify practical next steps, commit to them and build momentum. That's where lasting health and wellbeing improvements happen," explains Krogstad.

As demand for accessible mental wellbeing support continues to grow, Groov believes the combination of trusted guidance and personalised coaching represents an important next step in preventative mental health care.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading