Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced a new chair and members for the Board of Health New Zealand.
Mark Darrow has been appointed Chair for a three-year term, commencing May 1, 2026.
“Mr Darrow is an experienced board chair and director with a strong track record across both the private and public sectors, including health. He brings expertise in finance, audit, risk, and assurance, which will be critical to driving performance and accountability,” says Minister Brown.
Michael Schubert and Dr Bryan Betty have also been appointed to the Board.
“Mr Schubert is a professional director experienced in supporting organisations with financial stewardship, audit and risk, and organisational change. He has governance experience in complex, highly regulated environments, including in health.
“Dr Betty is a specialist general practitioner who is well-respected as a sector leader and who has considerable governance experience. He will bring additional clinical and health system expertise to the Board, particularly in relation to primary care, which is a key priority for the Government.”
“As we look ahead, the Board will play a key role in supporting the transition to a nationally planned, locally and regionally delivered health system. From July 1, this will shift decision-making closer to patients, communities and frontline services, helping ensure care is more responsive to local needs.”