FIX: Two permanent appointments to reformed posts

The new national commissioner has experience of primary care and commissioning for indigenous peoples.

Abbe Anderson, of Brisbane, assumes the permanent role from 12 September, taking over from Keriana Brooking who has been interim national commissioner.

In a media release from Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand, chief executive Margie Apa says Ms Anderson will “lead the strategic development and management of a commissioning system, delivering community and primary care and integrating with hospital and specialist services to meet the priorities of Te Pae Tata – New Zealand Health Plan”.

Ms Anderson will work in close partnership with Te Aka Whai Ora – Māori Health Authority to improve access, and outcomes, for Māori, Ms Apa says.

Ms Anderson has worked for the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health, supporting the development of community-led commissioning frameworks for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

While chief executive of the Brisbane North Primary Health Network, she led the organisation through two significant government reforms to its creation as a primary health network, commissioning primary care services for a population of more than a million people, the media release says. Ms Anderson is a director on the boards of Australian mental health charity Beyond Blue and the Sunshine Coast Hospital & Health Service, serving a population of around 460,000 people.

Paula Tesoriero MNZM is the inaugural chief executive of Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People, the ministry launched on 1 July.

In a media release today, minister for disability issues Poto Williams welcomed the appointment by the Public Service Commission which takes effect from 1 September and is for five years.

Ms Tesoriero has been the disability rights commissioner at the Human Rights Commission since 2017 and was acting chief human rights commissioner from 2018 to 2019.

She is a law graduate, an experienced senior public service manager and worked in a range of governance roles.

Ms Tesoriero is also a gold and bronze medal winning Paralympian and was Chef de Mission for the New Zealand’s 2020 Tokyo Paralympic team.

Mr Williams acknowledged the mahi of Geraldine Woods, who has established the foundations of Whaikaha as acting chief executive since the ministry’s launch.

The decision to create a standalone ministry for disabled people followed the review of the health and disability system and subsequent introduction of the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022.

Mr Williams says in the media release: “Whaikaha was established to give a voice to the disabled community. Paula Tesoriero will lead this mahi, in partnership with the disability community, Māori and Government to drive change towards a better, more independent future for disabled people, tāngata whaikaha and their whānau.”