Hon David Cunliffe: New Board Chairs

Health Minister David Cunliffe today announced the appointment of 19 District Health Board chairs.

Mr Cunliffe has reappointed 13 current chairs, with another two chairs moving to other boards.

There are also four new chairs at Taranaki, Waikato, Canterbury and West Coast DHBs.

"I am looking forward to working with new chairs and wish to thank all current chairs for their contribution over the current term," said Mr Cunliffe.

"The DHB chair role is demanding, and chairs need to be able to manage and draw together a team of people from a wide range of experience, abilities and backgrounds."

Chairs who will be moving from their current boards to take up new positions are Pat Snedden who moves from Counties Manukau DHB to Auckland DHB. Mr Sneddon succeeds Wayne Brown who has chosen to focus on his new role as the Mayor of the Far North.

Meanwhile Professor Gregor Coster moves from the West Coast DHB to Counties Manukau.

The four new chairs are: Jerry Rickman, who takes the chair at Waikato DHB from Michael Ludbrook; John Young, who succeeds Hayden Wano as chair of Taranaki DHB; Rex Williams, takes up the chair at West Coast DHB from Gregor Coster; and Alister James, who succeeds Syd Bradley as the Canterbury DHB chair.

"While Mr James was not re-elected at this year's DHB board elections, I believe he has the necessary skills and experience to take on the chair role," Mr Cunliffe said.

"His appointment enables these valuable skills to remain at the board table. Continuity was also an important consideration, given that the board will have at least four new members from 10 December."

"I would like to thank, Michael Ludbrook, Hayden Wano, Syd Bradley and Wayne Brown for the contribution they have made as chairs of their respective DHBs, and to the health sector as a whole, over many years," Mr Cunliffe said.

"All four are stepping aside to pursue other interests and I wish them well in their future endeavours."

Mr Cunliffe is awaiting the outcome of the review of conflict of interest matters at Hawke's Bay DHB, before making appointments to that board.

The Minister is currently also considering his appointment to positions at Capital & Coast DHB.

'The health sector the Government spends almost $12 billion on health each year with around 70 percent of that figure devolved to the country's 21 DHBs,' he adds.

DHB boards consist of seven elected members, and up to four members appointed by the Health Minister.

The Minister also appoints the chair and deputy chair from among the elected and appointed membership.

Four of the chairs are elected members (at Bay of Plenty, Tairawhiti, Hutt Valley and Otago DHBs) who were re-elected to their boards in October.

Mr Cunliffe intends to announce further appointments to DHB boards in the near future. The new boards take office on 10 December 2007.

ENDS

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