The National Maori Authority has welcomed the announcement by the Government that District Health Boards will be “shaken up” with a new round of Chair appointments. The Authority Chair, Matthew Tukaki, has particularly welcomed the appointments of four Maori Chairs amongst the thirteen replacements:
“The Government have done a great thing by appointing four Chairs who are Maori in areas with high Maori health needs and populations. This is something many of our people have called for over the years and its great to see it happening – including a lift in Crown appointments to a number of District Health Boards who are also Maori.” Mr Tukaki said
“On behalf of the Council I would like pay special recognition to Associate Health Minister, Peeni Henare, for really bringing this home and advocating for more of our people to be appointed into key Governance roles.” Tukaki said
The four new Maori Chairs are:
Northland - Harry Burkhardt (Ngāti Kuri), plastics manufacturing and recycling business managing director and Ngāti Kuri Trust Board chair
Lakes - Dr Jim Mather (Ngāti Awa / Ngāi Tūhoe), qualified accountant and former Chief Executive of Māori Television and Te Wānanga o Aotearoa
Tairawhiti - Kim Ngarimu (Ngāti Porou), member of the Medical Council’s Audit, Education and Health Committees and director of Tāua Limited
Hawke’s Bay – Shayne Walker (Ngāti Kahungunu), head of Māori Business at the Bank of New Zealand and a former Māori health manager at HBDHB