New appointments to Te Whatu Ora board
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."
Kia Hūkere te Hoe
A huge mihi to those whānau who took the time to chat about our Whānau Voice kaupapa at Kia Hūkere te Hoe in Wairau. 
Holly and Maria were on the stall in between performing and being on call for first aid.
It was a great couple of days, and our thanks go to the organisers, Te Tauihu Kapa Haka, for having us.
'That's Us, Wāhine Mā!'
Te Tauihu Māori hauora provider Te Piki Oranga is leading a screening campaign – That’s Us, Wāhine Mā – offering breast screening at Ukaipō in Grovetown, Wairau from now through to Friday, May 15.
It’s free for wāhine Māori and Pacific women aged 45-74. Bookings are essential - text/call Kaye on 027 836 6017 or phone 0800 270 200.
On Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9, extended services are also available, including cervical screening, immunisations, health checks, rongoā, hearing tests, and hauora support.
Don’t miss out, it’s a great way to get those health checks ticked off the list in a beautiful, caring environment. Bring a whānau member or a friend.
Kaiatawhai Service
Nelson Bays Primary Health has an amazing Kaiatawhai Service, offering free support for people who face barriers to accessing healthcare. While Māori and Pacific peoples are prioritised, the service is open to anyone who needs support.
The team includes a Kaiawhina (Community Connector), Kaiārahi Hauora (Health Navigator) and Nehi (Nurse). Together, they can help whānau understand their health needs, set achievable goals, and connect them with the right services.
They can help with appointments and referrals, and link whānau with GPs, specialists, and community services, making healthcare easier to access and less overwhelming.
If you or someone in your whānau could benefit, talk with your Māori health provider, general practice, or a community agency about a referral.
Legislation update
The Healthy Futures (Pae Ora) Amendment Bill has passed its second reading, with the Health Committee’s majority recommendations agreed to. The bill is now scheduled for Committee Stage, where all members have the opportunity to examine the bill in detail.
Once the House reaches majority agreement on the Bill, it will proceed to its third reading. It’s important to note that it doesn’t become law until it receives Royal Assent from the Governor-General. The timeframe for Royal Assent can vary—sometimes it’s just a few sitting days, but it can extend over several weeks depending on the level of debate and any amendments proposed during Committee Stage.
In the meantime, current legislation and policy remain in effect.
For more on the impact on Iwi Māori Partnership Boards, see here.
Are you enrolled with a PHO?
Primary healthcare is not immune from system change as a new private Primary Healthcare Organisation – “The PHO” – formed by the General Practice Owners Association (GenPro) awaits approval from Te Whatu Ora. GenPro says it has 116 practices with 833,000 enrolled patients ready to join up. Amid the shakeup, Te Whatu Ora has published a new dashboard which provides details on PHOs nationwide, including enrolments.
Enrolment in a primary health organisation (PHO) is voluntary. Most New Zealanders are, however, enrolled through their general practice and gain the benefits associated with belonging to a PHO, which can include cheaper doctors’ visits and reduced prescription costs.
In Nelson/Tasman, there is a total of 111,896 people enrolled with Hauora Matua ki Te Tai Aorere Nelson Bays Primary Health, while in Marlborough, 47,154 people are enrolled with Kimi Hauora Wairau Marlborough Primary Health.
In Te Tauihu, 82% of Māori are enrolled with a PHO versus 92% of the population. (Source: Enrolment with a General Practice (PHO) March 2023), meaning a larger proportion of Māori are missing out on vital services.
Now is a good time to check you are enrolled and pass this message on to whānau and friends.
Te Pito Mata grants open!
Te Whatu Ora Te Pitomata Grants support the development of the Māori health workforce. The grants can be used for tuition fees, course-related costs and living expenses.
To be eligible, students must be of Māori descent and undertaking a course of study in a health-related/patient-facing programme accredited by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). Rongoā Māori students must be studying with a Rongoā Māori provider or being supported by a Rongoā Māori tohunga.
Applications open: 12pm, March 9, 2026
Applications close: 12pm, April 1, 2026
For more information, see here.
Nau mai Holly!
This week, we welcomed Holly Irvine to the tari as our Whānau Voice and Engagement Support. We have a very small team and Holly’s strong commitment and work ethic are already making a difference!
Holly’s energy and enthusiasm is pretty impressive. Outside of mahi and study (she is in her third year of a Bachelor of Counselling at NMIT), she loves waka ama, mau rakau, beach and indoor volleyball, hunting and fishing, CrossFit and the gym.
Holly will be out and about in the community, encouraging and supporting whānau to share their experiences and aspirations for hauora in Te Tauihu via our Whānau Voice universal survey.
Over to Holly to tell you a little more ….
Kia ora, ko wai au?
Hui ā-Tau 2026
Thank those who attended the Hui ā-Tau for Te Kāhui Hauora o Te Tauihu IMPB at Ūkaipō in Wairau on Saturday.
We had a strong turnout, and we acknowledge in particular the support of so many of our hauora partners across Te Tauihu.
We extend a mihi to whānau, our iwi partners, our hauora partners, and those within the health system who continue to work with us in good faith and who understand the importance of authentic relationships.
The inequities experienced by our people are not of our making. Addressing these requires system change, and meaningful change requires the collective effort of whānau, hapū, iwi, providers, clinicians, health leaders, and policymakers all working together.
Saturday showed us that this is possible.
E mihi ana ki ērā i angitu ai tēnei rā. We mihi also to all of you who helped make this day a success.
Mātāwaka board member
Te Kāhui Hauora o Te Tauihu is seeking expressions of interest for a mātāwaka representative to join our Iwi Māori Partnership Board (IMPB) in Te Tauihu.
This role provides an important governance voice for Māori living in Te Tauihu who do not belong to one of the mana whenua iwi represented on the Board. The mātā waka perspective helps ensure Board decision-making reflects the diversity of Māori lived experience, whakapapa connections, and aspirations across our rohe.
About the role
The Board’s role is centred on whānau voice, system advocacy, and influencing decision-making across the health system. This includes gathering and elevating the voices of whānau Māori, using these insights to advocate for change, and working at a system-influencing level alongside Health NZ and other partners to shape priorities, plans, and investment that improve hauora Māori.
As the mātāwaka Board representative, you will contribute a broad, community-connected lens, supporting inclusive and equitable outcomes for whānau Māori across Te Tauihu. The role complements mana whenua leadership by strengthening representation of Māori who live, work, and raise whānau in the rohe, but whose iwi affiliations sit elsewhere.
Key responsibilities
As a Board member, you will contribute to:
- Elevating whānau voice to inform priorities and decision-making across the health system
- Advocating for Māori health equity and improved outcomes at a system-influencing level
- Working alongside Health NZ and other partners to shape plans, priorities, and investment
- Monitoring how the health system responds to Māori needs and aspirations
- Strengthening collaboration across the health and wider social sector
- Upholding governance responsibilities, including confidentiality and conflict of interest management
What we’re looking for
We are seeking a mātāwaka representative who brings:
- Strong connections with Māori communities in Te Tauihu
- Understanding of Te Ao Māori, tikanga Māori, and whānau-centred approaches
- Experience or insight into hauora Māori and the social determinants of health
- The ability to engage in strategic, system-level conversations and advocacy
- Experience in areas such as community leadership, health, planning, finance, policy, or systems change (professional, governance, or lived experience)
Prior board experience is welcome but not essential. Diverse leadership pathways are valued.
Time commitment
- Three-year term, with eligibility for re-appointment
- Monthly Board hui
- Approximately three hours per meeting, including preparation
- Time commitment reviewed after six months
This is an opportunity to:
- Ensure whānau voice is central to health system decision-making
- Advocate for Māori across a complex and changing health environment
- Ensure mātāwaka perspectives are present where influence sits
- Contribute to a kaupapa-driven Board committed to equity, partnership, and whānau wellbeing
Expressions of interest
Please email expressions of interest to the Board secretary at [email protected]. Please include your CV and a cover letter.
Ngā manaakitanga
Lydia Mains
Chairperson
Te Kāhui Hauora o Te Tauihu Iwi-Māori Partnership Board