Boards announced for interim Māori Health Authority and Health New Zealand

The Minister of Health, Andrew Little, and Associate Minister of Health, Peeni Henare announced appointments to the boards of interim entities the Māori Health Authority and Health New Zealand.

Health New Zealand will be the country's largest employer, bringing together the country's 20 DHBs, a workforce of about 80,000, an annual operating budget of $20 billion and an asset base of about $24 billion. 

The Māori Health Authority will work alongside Health New Zealand with a joint role in developing system plans, commissioning for primary and community services, and will co-commission kaupapa Māori services. The Māori Health Authority will also work alongside the Ministry of Health in developing strategies and policies that work for Māori. 

"This Government is building a truly national health system to provide consistent, high-quality health services right across the country. This is another step towards fixing the health system so it works for everyone,” Minister of Health, Andrew Little said.

"The future health system will mean New Zealanders will be able to have equitable access to healthcare to live longer, with the best possible quality of life, no matter who they are or where they live."

Associate Minister of Health, Peeni Henare, acknowledged the significant milestone in progress towards a more equitable health system.

"The new Māori Health Authority will be a gamechanger for our people. It will grow kaupapa Māori services and give Māori a strong voice in a new system focused on improving the disproportionate health outcomes that have long affected our whānau.

"Tā Mason Durie's steering group worked tirelessly to support this appointment process – Tā Mason in particular has ensured we have secured the best possible candidates and combination of skills and experience for what is needed in our future health system," Peeni Henare said.

"The members of the new boards share a dedication to improve the country’s health and wellbeing with a strong community focus. I am confident our new health entities are in the best possible hands to drive this long overdue transformation," Andrew Little said.

Health New Zealand members

Rob Campbell (Chair)
Amy Adams
Cassandra Crowley
Vui Mark Gosche
Dame Karen Poutasi
Vanessa Stoddart
Dr Curtis Walker
Sharon Shea (Co-Chair of the interim Māori Health Authority)

Read about the interim Health New Zealand Board members(external link)

Māori Health Authority members

Sharon Shea (Co-Chair)
Tipa Mahuta (Co-Chair)
Dr Sue Crengle
Dr Mataroria Lyndon
Lady Tureiti Moxon
Fiona Pimm
Awerangi Tamihere
Dr Chris Tooley

Read about the interim Māori Health Authority Board members(external link)

Biographies of the Board members in other languages

Establishment of the interim Māori Health Authority and interim Health New Zealand

As part of the reform of New Zealand’s health system two new interim entities have been established:

Health New Zealand, which will take over the planning and commissioning of services, as well as the functions of the existing 20 District Health Boards
the Māori Health Authority, which will be autonomous and able to commission services, with joint decision-making with Health New Zealand to grow kaupapa Māori services and give Māori a strong voice in the new system.

The Boards will advise the Minister of Health on the ongoing establishment of the new entities and the transition to the new system. It is expected that Chairs and members will become permanent appointments once the entities are permanently established in July 2022.

A total of 15 governance roles were available. An extensive recruitment process was undertaken to attract and assess candidates. It included widespread communication and advertising which attracted more than 300 expressions of interest across the roles available.

The Health Reform Transition Unit, set up within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, managed the appointment process in partnership with a steering group led by Tā Mason Durie to provide advice and guidance in selecting the boards.

The required mix of skills and experience for both boards included commercial expertise, expertise in Māori health, te ao Māori and hauora Māori (for the Māori Health Authority), expertise in Pacific health, expertise in management of clinical services, clinical risk and service performance, experience in managing or governing large operational organisations or systems, and knowledge of the New Zealand health system.

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