The Roster Te Rārangi: Edition 9

New title says it all
A new executive leadership job has been created at the Ministry of Health, and the person stepping into it this morning is former GP and public health academic Don Matheson. Dr Matheson has the title deputy director-general of public health and primary care transformation. One of the founders of Newtown Union Health Service in Wellington in 1987, he later was the ministry's deputy director-general (public health), an international health-systems consultant, and a professor in the Centre for Public Health Research at Massey University. He spent the past three years as general manager of a primary-secondary care health alliance in Brisbane.

Helping Cantabrians in a crisis
Christchurch GP Hannah Gordon is the new clinical lead for the Canterbury Primary Response Group, taking over from fellow GP Phil Schroeder. Through the group, Dr Gordon recently had medical oversight of the region’s COVID-19 community-based assessment centres and telephone triage teams. The clinical editor for HealthInfo Canterbury, she has a special interest in accessible health information and health literacy. Dr Gordon is working with Health Navigator, Kidshealth and HealthInfo towards a more cohesive approach to health content development and delivery. She qualified in medicine at the University of London in 2005.

Mātauranga Māori experience
Tengaruru Wi-Neera has a new part-time role with the Royal New Zealand College of GPs. As manukura Māori, Taranaki-based Mr Wi-Neera is advising chief executive Lynne Hayman and the board on Māori health equity projects and initiatives. Mr Wi-Neera has held positions at Literacy Aotearoa Wellington, Te Matahiapō Indigenous Research Organisation and Western Institute of Technology. He has contributed leadership to several professional bodies and has extensive mātauranga Māori experience. He is of Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Taranaki, Ngā Ruahine and Ngāti Ruanui. The college is seeking a tumuaki and head of equity.

A vital link with communities
Graeme Eagar-Savage has landed a key role where Waikato primary and community care is concerned. The local DHB appointed Mr Eagar-Savage senior funding and relationship manager for primary care, from a similar role in its health of older people and disability services. He has held planning and funding jobs at Southern and West Coast DHBs, and served as regional manager for Toi Te Ora at Bay of Plenty DHB. Mr Eagar-Savage was for two years the Taranaki regional manager for Pinnacle Midlands Health Network.

Radical improvement is a must
Riki Nia Nia (Ngāti Kahungunu and Tūhoe) has joined Waikato DHB as executive director Māori equity and health improvement. The DHB has named “radical improvement in Māori health outcomes by eliminating health inequities for Māori” a strategic imperative. Mr Nia Nia co-led the Māori Pandemic Response Team for the Northern DHBs while he was general manager Māori health for Waitematā DHB. He held roles with Whanganui and Capital & Coast DHBs. Mr Nia Nia, who chairs Te Mana Tāne Ora o Aotearoa (Māori Men’s Health Coalition of New Zealand), has social work and Māori degrees and a business diploma.

Speaking up for nurse practitioners
University of Auckland School of Nursing professional teaching fellow Sandra Oster came in this year as chair of Nurse Practitioners New Zealand, part of the College of Nurses Aotearoa (NZ). Ms Oster is course director of the university’s nurse practitioner (NP) and registered nurse prescribing educational pathways. She is also an NP in aged care. The Minnesota State University-trained Ms Oster worked for the Mayo Clinic for 28 years. The 350-member NPNZ advocates for NPs and NP practice.

Bay boss' theatrical past
Bay of Plenty DHB’s newly announced chief executive, Pete Chandler, had 12 years’ clinical experience in the UK, where he was an operating theatre practitioner. He traded that kind of operation for the bureaucratic kind, becoming chief operating officer at Hutt Valley and Wairarapa DHBs, before moving to Bay of Plenty in 2014. Mr Chandler will work closely with interim chief executive Simon Everitt from 31 August, until starting his new job on 25 September.

Reshuffle for Nats and Labour
Heads have again rolled at Parliament. In our last issue, National’s Shane Reti had advanced up the shadow Cabinet rankings. Soon after, Dr Reti was advanced further, to number five, and became health spokesperson with the demotion of Michael Woodhouse for his behaviour over leaked private health data. Prime minister Jacinda Ardern then sacked immigration minister Iain Lees-Galloway when he admitted having had an inappropriate relationship. Mr Lees-Galloway's ACC portfolio was handed to social development, Pacific peoples and disability issues minister Carpel Sepuloni.

Economist heads St John
Former Treasury secretary and chief executive John Whitehead has joined St John New Zealand as chancellor and board chair. Mr Whitehead was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2011 and also has a top St John honour. A Wellington economist, he has been executive director of the World Bank. Mr Whitehead has served on the St John board since 2016.

Correcting the news of New Lynn
I reported in the last issue that Greg Clarke has a new role at Medsector Advisors Ltd, but wrongly said Mr Clarke is finishing up as chief executive of Health New Lynn. He is doing both jobs for the foreseeable future. Apologies for the error. Still, I think you will agree, The Roster Te Rārangi is packed with need-to-know health and wellbeing sector goss. I'd be grateful if you sent this link to colleagues and associates so they can subscribe too! Ngā mihi nui.

– Virginia McMillan, editor
Phone 021 914 699, email vmcmillan@nzdoctor.co.nz