Why I Started Kekeno Tech

From Medicine to Software

Hi, I’m Chester. I used to work as a doctor, and now I spend most of my time writing software. Somewhere along the way I founded Kekeno Tech, a small New Zealand-based company focused on building tools for health and research.

This is the first post in what I hope will be a series. I want to share thoughts and stories from the space I now live in — a mix of healthcare, software engineering, and the fast-moving world of AI. It’s not going to be glossy marketing. More like notes on what I’m seeing, what I’m learning, and the things that keep me curious (and sometimes worried).

The Shift to AI and Health IT

I made the shift from medicine into computer science in 2016, driven by a simple hunch: computers might help us notice our own biases and errors in clinical care. That decision took me through a BSc and Honours in computer science, into research roles, and eventually to starting Kekeno.

Since then I’ve been involved in AI and conversational systems, worked with the Tirohia research team, and explored how technology can support (or complicate) the work of clinicians and researchers.

Starting Kekeno

Kekeno formed in 2021 to fill a gap: teams with strong clinical and research expertise often lacked a nimble engineering partner.

Today we build tools and platforms like Tirohia and collaborate with researchers across NZ and Australia to test and deploy evidence-informed digital health solutions.

Looking Ahead

In this blog I’ll write about the practical end of things — how AI is being talked about and tested in Aotearoa, the realities of developing health IT, and the lessons (good and bad) that come from collaborating across disciplines.

If that’s of interest, follow along — and feel free to reach out: chester@kekeno.tech.

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Why “Kekeno”?

If you’ve read this far — thanks for sticking with me. One last note: why “Kekeno”?

Kekeno is the Māori word for the New Zealand fur seal. They’re my favourite animal — intelligent, social, playful, and (let’s be honest) a bit goofy at times. That mix of qualities felt like the right spirit to bring into our work. 🦭

Until next time,
— Chester

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