New CEO for Whakarongorau Aotearoa

Kia ora koutou

I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Glynis Sandland (Ngāpuhi me Ngāti Hine) as the new Chief Executive Officer of Whakarongorau Aotearoa.

Glynis joined Whakarongorau Aotearoa as Chief Operating Officer in June 2022. In that role she has overseen all of Whakarongorau Aotearoa’s operations, for the 30+ free to the public health, mental health, family violence, and sexual harm telehealth services across digital channels. Glynis was Acting Whakarongorau CEO for three months while Andrew Slater was on sabbatical. As you will know, Andrew has taken on the role of Chief People Officer at Te Whatu Ora from last week.

Glynis has experience with large, complex, and dynamic organisations such as Auckland Council, and Westpac, and Oranga Tamariki – where she was Deputy Chief Executive, Services for Children and Families, before joining Whakarongorau.

Glynis has an extensive track record across private and public sectors leading and engaging in strategic partnerships, business development, and large transformation programmes. Given this, and her experience as Whakarongorau Aotearoa Chief Operating Officer and Acting CEO, the Board and I have great confidence in her ability to lead the 12 Whakarongorau clinical teams and the support crews.

Glynis’s passion is to foster a team environment, inspire people, and drive positive organisational outcomes for those we are here to support, in particular the most vulnerable – giving everyone in Aotearoa the opportunity for wellness.

She understands the opportunities and challenges for this extraordinary organisation that has – since launching eight years ago – responded to close to 12 million contacts (that’s calls and texts).

Glynis will be particularly focussed on developing the unique and impactful Taki-o-Autahi partnership , with Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga, Te Arawa Lakes Trust, and Te Hau Ora o Ngāpuhi, delivering whānau-centred, equitable telehealth.

I know you’ll join me in congratulating Glynis and wishing her all the best as the new leader of our waka.

Ngā mihi,
Roger Sowry
Board Chair