Western Bay health leader retires after 15 years

The CEO of the Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation, Roger Taylor, is retiring after 15 years in the role.

Taylor joined the WBOP PHO in 2003, shortly after it came into existence, and he will leave on June 30 after dedicating his role to improving the health and wellness of Western Bay communities, with a special focus on high-needs groups.

He has overseen dozens of community-based initiatives as part of the WBOP PHO’s responsibility for much of the region’s health care that occurs outside of Tauranga Hospital.

Reflecting on his career, Taylor said he had learned that “having a positive self-regard” was an important driver of wellness, as people who valued themselves tended to be gainfully employed, in good housing, and with good physical health.

Partly for this reason, he believed that health and wellness were best approached in a holistic way, with organisations working together towards a common goal.

He therefore strongly supported the concept behind the WBOP PHO’s ownership structure, which is shared between Western Bay general practices and two local iwi, Ngai Te Rangi and Ngati Ranginui.

“It’s encouraged dialogue, understanding and a commonality of purpose,” Taylor said.

“I’ll be leaving content in the knowledge that the PHO is in good heart, is financially strong, and is having its views heard locally and further afield.”

WBOP PHO co-chairs Luke Bradford and Paul Stanley said that Taylor had been a driving force behind many of the PHO’s successes, most notably as a champion for equality in health care access through his strong focus on high-needs communities.

“Among his many achievements, Roger has been instrumental in improving after-hours services and supporting health care initiatives through marae and hauora,” they said.

The co-chairs said that Taylor had “proudly nurtured” the relationship between iwi and general practices during his time as CEO.

He had also supported autonomy and sovereignty for general practices, allowing them to deliver accessible, high-quality health care to all sectors of the population.

“Roger leaves behind a thriving organisation,” they said. “This a testament to his focus on continual improvement and in particular on preserving values and striving for equality.”

Taylor will remain in the Bay of Plenty, where he intends to explore fresh opportunities.

The WBOP PHO will start recruiting for the vacant position soon.

About the WBOP PHO

The WBOP PHO is responsible for much of the health care in the Western Bay that occurs outside of Tauranga Hospital.

This includes diabetes, iwi-run hauora, community pharmacies, smoking cessation, palliative care, community nursing, diabetes support, immunisation and dozens of other services, as well as subsidising local residents’ visits to their family doctors.