Health New Zealand and Mori Health Authority board members announced – Stuff.co.nz

The Government has announced the interim boards of Health New Zealand and the Mori Health Authority.

The Government announced it would abolish all 20 District Health Boards and create a single health organisation, in a sweeping plan to centralise New Zealands fragmented healthcare system and end the postcode lottery of care, in November.

The interim board members will help create the structure of the new entities with the new system to start on July. Legislation on the changes will be introduced next month.

There are eight interim board members for Health New Zealand, including former National MP Amy Adams. The board will be chaired by Rob Campbell, who Health Minister Andrew Little said is a professional director with extensive union, public and private sector governance experience.

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ROBERT KITCHIN/Stuff

Health minister Andrew Little.

Two of its members are medically trained.

The Mori Health Authority will be led by Sharon Shea, chair of the Bay of Plenty District Health Board, and Tipa Mahuta, the deputy chair of the Counties Manukau District Health Board. It has a total of eight board members. Shea will also sit on the Health New Zealand board.

Little said Thursdays announcement was another step towards a future health system where everyone has access to consistent, high quality health services when and where they need it.

Associate Health Minister Peeni Henare said the new Mori health authority would be a game changer for our people.

Its not about creating a separate system for Mori, he said.

Health New Zealand will bring together the countrys 20 DHBs, a workforce of about 80,000, an annual operating budget of $20 billion and an asset base of about $24 billion.

The Mori Health Authority will work alongside Health New Zealand with a joint role in developing system plans, commissioning for primary and community services, and will commission kaupapa Mori services.

It will also work alongside the Ministry of Health to develop strategies and policies that work for Mori.

Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said the reforms gave the health system the opportunity to build on and amplify the changes it has undergone over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It is an exciting time and I am looking forward to working with the new boards and new chairs, he said.

Stephen McKernan, the director of the reform's transition unit and the former Director-General of Health, said the reforms were a major undertaking but had widespread support.

The transition months ahead, and years beyond, will pose many challenges, he said.

Rob Campbell (Chair) an experienced professional director with extensive union, public and private sector governance experience.

Amy Adams a former National Party MP and Cabinet minister.

Cassandra Crowley a chartered accountant and barrister and solicitor of the High Court.

Vui Mark Gosche a senior leader within the Samoan and Pasifika communities, and across the health, disability and community sectors, and former MP and Cabinet minister.

Dame Karen Poutasi a former Director General of Health and chief executive of the Qualifications Authority, medically qualified with a specialisation in public health.

Vanessa Stoddart a senior leader with executive and governance experience in the manufacturing, packaging, airline and engineering industries with a strong focus on change management and performance improvement.

Dr Curtis Walker a GP and kidney specialist with MidCentral District Health Board who has extensive experience in governance, clinical leadership and public policy.

Sharon Shea current Chair of the Bay of Plenty DHB and an experienced leader across the health, disability and community sector. Shea will also serve as Co-Chair of the Mori Health Authority.

Sharon Shea (Co-Chair) current Chair of the Bay of Plenty DHB and an experienced leader across the health, disability and community sector.

Tipa Mahuta (Co-Chair) current Deputy Chair of the Counties Manukau DHB with a background in facilitation, research, policy and community development, and extensive Iwi governance experience.

Dr Sue Crengle a specialist in general practice and public health medicine, and an experienced researcher who is Professor, Hauora Mori, at Otago Medical School.

Dr Mataroria Lyndon Equity Lead at Mahitahi Hauora Primary Health Organisation and a Senior Lecturer in medical education at the University of Auckland.

Lady Tureiti Moxon an experienced leader in the Mori health, education, social, and justice sectors at a local, regional and national level.

Fiona Pimm an executive leader with experience in governance roles in the health sector, government agencies, community, local iwi and rnanga.

Awerangi Tamihere an senior leader with extensive experience working across central government, regional crown entities, the private sector, and with her local iwi.

Dr Chris Tooley an experienced governor and Chief Executive of Te Puna Ora o Mataatua based in Whakatne which provides healthcare and social services across the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

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Health New Zealand and Mori Health Authority board members announced - Stuff.co.nz