Our executive team

Most recently the National Director for Service Improvement and Innovation for Health New Zealand, Dr Bramley was previously the Chief Executive of Waitematā District Health Board for 11 years – serving a population of around 625,000 people and a staff of 8,700.

He is a public health medicine specialist and experienced senior leader within the New Zealand health sector. He has previously served as Chair of New Zealand’s Health Quality & Safety Commission.

He has also served as a member of New Zealand’s National Health Committee, National Ethics Committee and the New Zealand Government’s COVID-19 independent review and advice group.

Dr Bramley is an adjunct Professor at Auckland University of Technology. He has tribal affiliations to Ngā Puhi.

Jess Smaling is Executive National Director, Strategy, Performance and Improvement. She joined Health New Zealand in May 2025 as Director Organisational Performance for the Central Region.

Previously she held senior role at the Ministry of Health including as Associate Deputy Director-General for System Performance and Monitoring and Lead Private Secretary in the Office of the Minister of Health. She has experience in managing, leading, and influencing teams across complex environments, with a proven track record in driving service, quality, and financial performance improvement and supporting data-driven decision making. She has a strong background in policy advice, programme management, and stakeholder engagement.

This role works with the Executive and Board to ensure Health NZ has a clear strategic direction and organisational plans, ensuring we maximise health outcomes for our patients, whānau and communities.

It supports our organisational performance through constructive challenge, undertaking analysis, facilitating performance discussions, and supporting services to focus on continuous improvement through learning and capability building.

Selah Hart (Ngāti Kuia, Rangitāne o Wairau, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Ngāti Whakaue) is a widely respected leader in Māori Public Health with over 18 years of experience driving transformative health outcomes. Her work is deeply grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, with a strong focus on advancing equity and embedding kaupapa Māori principles into health systems and services.

Selah’s leadership has consistently demonstrated the importance of fostering community and iwi partnerships to co-design innovative and culturally aligned models of care. Her tenure as Chief Executive Officer of Hāpai Te Hauora exemplifies her values-based approach to public health, embedding tikanga Māori practices to benefit Māori and non-Māori alike.

She has played a key role in delivering equity-focused strategies, improving accessibility for underserved communities, and enabling systems-level change. With a wealth of expertise in change leadership, collaborative partnerships, and performance improvement, Selah continues to be a powerful advocate for kaupapa Māori approaches that enhance health outcomes for all communities across Aotearoa.

The Hauora Māori Service (HMS) represents the enduring commitment to advancing Hauora Māori by Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand and upholding the Crown’s obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Rooted in kaupapa Māori principles, HMS is dedicated to embedding culturally aligned practices across the health system, driving the achievement of equitable health outcomes for Māori, and prioritising whānau-centred approaches that resonate with the aspirations of Maori communities.

Through integrated leadership and strong partnerships with iwi, hapū, and Māori organisations, HMS works collaboratively to influence national strategies, regional planning, and local service delivery. Its focus on fostering shared responsibility for equity empowers the entire health system to address structural inequities and deliver transformative change that benefits all people who live in Aotearoa New Zealand.

HMS operates as an interconnected presence within Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand, leveraging collective expertise, insights and Mātauranga Maori to strengthen decision making and resource allocation. This enduring structure reflects the commitment of Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand to ensuring that Māori voices, values, and aspirations remain central and integral to the design, purchasing and delivery of health services for generations to come.

Richard May brings a breadth of experience across government services, ministerial offices, and executive leadership—most recently serving as Chief of Staff.

Richard career has focused on leading high-performing teams in fast-paced, high-pressure environments, with a strong emphasis on capability building, strategic direction, and cross-sector collaboration.

I thrive in complex political and stakeholder landscapes, and I’m passionate about driving transparency and responsiveness in public service. At Health New Zealand, I’m focused on improving how we communicate and engage—particularly in the Official Information Act space—bringing a fresh, outcomes-driven approach to how we work together.

This role is responsible for leading across business and governance services including Legal, Audit, Assurance and Risk, Communications and Engagement, Government Services and Office of the Chief Executive. 

Bevan comes to us from Fletcher Building which he joined in 2014 and held the position of Chief Financial Officer since 2016.

Bevan has global experience across finance, strategy, operations, business development and mergers & acquisitions. This breadth of experience has honed his commercial knowledge and ability to partner effectively with operational leaders across the business. His experience in turning around financial performance in large and complex organisations is timely and critical to the Health NZ reset to focus on delivering for patients. 

Prior to joining Fletcher’s, Bevan was located in France (2009-2014) working for Roquettes Freres as a Mergers & Acquisitions Manager and then leading the commercial function across the organisation’s emerging markets.

Bevan holds an MBA from IMD (Switzerland) and a Master of Arts from the University of Auckland. He was born and raised in Northland and is married with 4 children (ages 10-22).

Oversees the structure and systems for national and regional financial management functions.

This group drives change and supports all system shifts through high-quality financial management advice and support.

This team is responsible for the efficient discharge of national transaction payment processing systems, informing and monitoring budget performance, and enabling change through good quality advice on benefits and value in decision making.

All finance functions and teams report nationally to the Chief Financial Officer.

Planning, Funding and Outcomes (PFO) seeks to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders by using evidence, data insights and clinical advice to plan, fund, monitor and improve nationwide health services.

It brings together people with significant clinical and technical skills across planning, strategy, performance, commissioning and data and analytics.

It has a strong leadership role in national planning and performance against key outcome measures including health targets, and will provide analytical support to the four regions.

Programmes will be informed by engagement with, and leadership from, clinicians, sector experts, service providers, people with lived experience, communities and whānau.

Dr Nick Chamberlain was Northland DHB Chief Executive for nearly 12 years. He has specialist qualifications in Medical Administration and General Practice. He has previously had roles as General Manager of Clinical Service at Northland DHB, General Manager of Planning and Funding at Capital & Coast DHB, Clinical Advisor and GP Liaison, Northland DHB, and 11 years in his own General Practices.

He has held DHB lead Chief Executive roles in Primary Care and Public Health. Over the past few years, he has tried to provide some leadership and support for our Public Health Units, and with Vui Mark Gosche has led a small team promoting effective public policy and legislation.

He looks forward to building a strong and effective team to strengthen and nationalise our public health services. In addition, he wants to broaden the reach of public and population health through our work with iwi, Māori and Pacifica providers into all our communities and localities. He is also excited to work closely with the Māori Health Authority and the Public Health Agency.

Responsible for operational planning and delivery of public health promotion, prevention, intelligence and health protection services. 

Guided by the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022, the National Public Health Service provides services that are nationally planned, regionally coordinated and locally tailored. This team contributes to the reform system shift “All people will be able to access a comprehensive range of support in their local communities to help them stay well”, by ensuring the delivery of public health services nationally, regionally and locally keep communities well.

All local public health services report to one of four Regional Directors who report to the National Director. The service works in partnership with Hauora Māori Service Directorate and the Public Health Agency within Manatū Hauora (Ministry of Health).

Dr Richard Sullivan brings a wealth of experience as a medical oncologist and was Director Northern Region Cancer and Blood Services for 17 years.

Dr Sullivan is regional clinical lead cancer, the Chair of National AYA Cancer and is a director at Canopy Cancer Care.

Responsible for effective and high-performing clinical governance across the whole system, ensuring excellent quality and safe care delivery and experience for all patients and whānau. This team ensures clinical and professional input is engaged on strategy, service design and its delivery.

Provides professional leadership, including credentialing, scopes of practice, performance, conduct and professional development of clinical staff.

Partners with service leadership and provides leadership to national, regional and local clinical networks. This team supports all system shifts by ensuring clinical advice and expertise underpins all decision making.

Working in partnership with Hauora Māori Service Directorate to ensure that equity of outcomes are improved.

Meet the Clinical Leadership Team

Dr Andrew Brant is a highly experienced healthcare leader and Respiratory Physician with a strong background across the public and private systems.

He currently serves as Chief Medical Officer at Allevia Hospitals (formerly Mercy Ascot) and Director of Clinical Innovation for Allevia Health.

Andrew's return to the public system builds on a career that includes senior executive roles, such as Acting CEO of Canterbury DHB and Deputy CEO and Chief Medical Officer at Waitematā DHB. 

Responsible for delivering health care services for the Northern Region. This includes the services we provide in our hospitals and health services we provide and fund others to provide.

The Deputy Chief Executive will have the delegation to approve resources to deliver National Health Targets and health services for the Northern Region population. Working within national guidelines they will tailor health services to meet the needs of local people and communities.

What health services are delivered in the Northern Region, how and where they are delivered and by who will be informed by clinical leadership and respond to local and regional stakeholder feedback.

Cath has served in a number of executive roles in public health in Melbourne and Auckland since 2006.  Cath most recently worked at Monash Health as interim Chief Operating Officer Acute Services, Deputy Chief Operating Officer Monash Surgery and Director Transformation. Cath also worked at Waitematā District Health Board as Director Hospital Services and before that Clinical Director, Surgical Services at Alfred Health. 

Prior to 2006, Cath’s nursing career spans a diverse range of specialties at Waikato Hospital, Auckland City Hospital, Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Middlemore and Alfred Health.  

Cath is looking forward to, bringing her experiences to benefit whānau and communities in the Te Manawa Taki region.

Responsible for delivering health care services for the Te Manawa Region. This includes the services we provide in our hospitals and health services we provide and fund others to provide.

The Deputy Chief Executive will have the delegation to approve resources to deliver National Health Targets and health services for the Te Manawa Region population. Working within national guidelines they will tailor health services to meet the needs of local people and communities.

What health services are delivered in the Te Manawa Region, how and where they are delivered and by who will be informed by clinical leadership and respond to local and regional stakeholder feedback.

Chris Lowry brings a wealth of experience to health sector, having started her career as a nurse in critical care and emergency settings before moving into senior leadership roles.

Most recently, Chris was the Regional Director, Hospital and Specialist Services Te Manawa Taki (Jan 2023 - Aug 2024). Before that, she was Interim District Co-Director for Health New Zealand Waikato (Jul 2022 - Jan 2023) and Executive Director Hospital and Community Services at Waikato DHB (Jan 2021 - Jan 2023).

Responsible for delivering health care services for the Central Region. This includes the services we provide in our hospitals and health services we provide and fund others to provide.

The Deputy Chief Executive will have the delegation to approve resources to deliver National Health Targets and health services for the Central Region population. Working within national guidelines they will tailor health services to meet the needs of local people and communities.

What health services are delivered in the Central Region, how and where they are delivered and by who will be informed by clinical leadership and respond to local and regional stakeholder feedback

Dr Pete Watson is the Executive Regional Director South Island | Te Waipounamu. Pete is a Paediatrician and Youth Health Specialist, past Clinical Director of Mental Health and Addictions and a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators (FRACMA).

He held the position of interim National Clinical Lead (Medical) for Health NZ from June 2022 to June 2023 and, before that, held the positions of acting CEO and Chief Medical Officer at Counties Manukau.

Pete is an Otago Medical School graduate who spent his clinical student years and first year as a newly graduated doctor in Christchurch where he met his wife, Jenny. After raising their three children in Auckland, they have happily re-settled in the South Island to follow their love of Te Waipounamu and re-connect with friends and family.

Responsible for delivering health care services for the Te Waipounaumu Region. This includes the services we provide in our hospitals and health services we provide and fund others to provide.

The Deputy Chief Executive will have the delegation to approve resources to deliver National Health Targets and health services for the Te Waipounaumu Region population. Working within national guidelines they will tailor health services to meet the needs of local people and communities.

What health services are delivered in the Te Waipounaumu Region, how and where they are delivered and by who will be informed by clinical leadership and respond to local and regional stakeholder feedback.

Mahaki Albert is of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti and Waikato-Tainui descent.

Mahaki has been in the role of Maiaka Whakaruruhau Tikanga | Chief of Tikanga since late-2022 and is a member of the Executive Leadership Teams for both Health NZ and Te Aka Whai Ora. His responsibilities include:

• National Chief of Tikanga, including setting tikanga expectations for Executives
• Iwi/Hapū engagement and relationship agreements
• Equity leadership
• Leadership advice and support

Mahaki was previously the Chief Executive of Whare Tiaki Hauora, a Māori NGO. Mahaki also previously held the role of Tumu Tikanga at Counties Manukau Health for 5-6 years, and has held leadership positions within community service providers, a Primary Health Organisation, and the Education sector. Mahaki is a member of various Governance groups and maintains strong engagement and relationships with Crown and Iwi entities; some of his long-standing roles he currently upholds include:

• Member of Te Kahui Wairua o Te Kiingi Maaori Tuheitia Potatau Te Wherowhero Te Tuawhitu
• Member of Te Aka Puaho Council (Māori Presbyterian Synod)
• Board Chairperson of Te Roopu Taurima O Manukau Trust

Mahaki also holds Governance roles in his local community within the education sector.

Mahaki has both BA and MA degrees and is currently a PhD candidate at Awanuiarangi.

This role is the Executive lead of Tikanga to the Chief Executive and Executive Leadership Teams of Health NZ.

The Chief of Tikanga provides:

• Tikanga advice from a national perspective, including setting tikanga expectations for Executvies
• Iwi/Hapū engagement across relationship agreements
• Equity leadership
• Leadership advice and support