Our Governance

Professor Levy was appointed Commissioner of Health New Zealand in July 2024. He also serves as Chair of the Health Research Council, a role he has held since 2015. He brings nearly 30 years of leadership and governance experience across public and private healthcare in New Zealand.

Professor Levy trained as a medical doctor (MBBCh) in South Africa before moving to New Zealand in 1978. He later completed an MBA at the University of Auckland. He has led numerous health organisations, including serving as chief executive of South Auckland Health, the New Zealand Blood Service, and MercyAscot Hospital Group. He also chaired Auckland Transport, Tonkin + Taylor, and all three Auckland district health boards (Waitematā, Auckland, and Counties Manukau) between 2009 and 2017.

In 2019, Professor Levy became AUT's inaugural Professor of Digital Health Leadership, where he leads research and teaching focused on technology’s role in transforming healthcare for clinicians and patients. He also remains active in the private and voluntary sectors, advising organisations such as Southern Cross Health Society on future healthcare models.

Recognised for his impact in health, education, and leadership, he was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2013. He was also awarded a prestigious King's Fund International Fellowship and is a Fellow of the NZ Institute of Management.

As Commissioner, Professor Levy is focused on improving system-wide performance, strengthening clinical leadership, and driving a disciplined financial reset to ensure sustainable care for all New Zealanders.

Professor Levy has been appointed to a 12 month term as Chair.

Dr Andrew Connolly brings a strong clinical background and decades of leadership experience across the health system. He is also the Chief Medical Officer at Health New Zealand Counties Manukau, where he continues to work as a general and colorectal surgeon.

Dr Connolly trained in medicine at the University of Auckland and became Counties Manukau’s first colorectal surgeon in the late 1990s. He led the department of general and vascular surgery for more than 15 years and is widely recognised for his commitment to clinical excellence and patient care.

He has held several national leadership roles. Dr Connolly served as Chair of the Medical Council of New Zealand, was a member of the Health Quality and Safety Commission and held oversight roles as a Deputy Commissioner and Crown Monitor for several former district health boards. He now chairs Health New Zealand’s Health Workforce and System Efficiencies Committee, helping guide national efforts to build a strong, sustainable health workforce.

Throughout his career, Dr Connolly has championed improvements in planned care, reduced wait times, and better access to specialist services. In 2019, he was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to health. As Deputy Chair of Health New Zealand, he plays a key role in supporting safe, high-quality care and leading long-term change across the health system.

Roger Jarrold is the Deputy Commissioner – Finance for Health New Zealand. He brings more than 40 years of financial leadership experience across both the public and private sectors. Mr Jarrold plays a key role in strengthening the financial performance and sustainability of our public health system.

Mr Jarrold has held senior finance roles across a range of industries, including healthcare, infrastructure, and commercial organisations. His work has included guiding complex organisations through periods of significant change, improving financial systems, and supporting long-term planning and accountability.

In addition to his role at Health New Zealand, Mr Jarrold is a board member of the New Zealand Blood and Organ Service. He is known for his pragmatic approach, strategic thinking, and deep understanding of the financial challenges and opportunities within public health.

Mr Jarrold was appointed Deputy Commissioner in July 2024 for a 12-month term. His focus is on improving financial discipline across the health system, ensuring that resources are used as effectively as possible.

Dr Frances Hughes is a registered nurse and respected health leader with more than 30 years of experience in nursing and health service leadership. She currently serves on the boards of the Health Research Council and the Water Services Authority, contributing her expertise in both health and systems governance.

Dr Hughes has held senior roles in New Zealand and abroad. She was New Zealand’s Chief Nurse at the Ministry of Health, where she led national nursing strategy and policy. She later served as Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer for Queensland Health in Australia, and as Chief Executive Officer of the International Council of Nurses in Geneva, where she represented and advocated for nurses across more than 130 countries.

Throughout her career, Dr Hughes has championed the role of nurses in leadership, the delivery of person-centred care, and the importance of mental health and workforce wellbeing. Her experience spans clinical care, public policy, education, and global health.

Dr Hughes is known for her strong advocacy, collaborative leadership, and commitment to building resilient health systems. Her contributions have been widely recognised, and she remains a passionate voice for equity, innovation, and the vital role of nursing in healthcare transformation.

Parekawhia McLean is a highly respected leader with extensive experience in governance, public service, and iwi development. She currently chairs the Hauora Māori Advisory Committee and is a director of Transpower. Parekawhia also serves as the Chief Executive of the Criminal Cases Review Commission, the independent body that investigates possible miscarriages of justice.

She is a member of Te Whakakitenga o Waikato, the governance body of Waikato-Tainui, and previously served as its Chief Executive, leading strategic direction, development initiatives, and partnerships across the public and private sectors.

Over the course of her career, Ms McLean has held senior roles in government and iwi organisations, contributing to policy, infrastructure, health, and justice. She is known for her strong leadership, deep understanding of te ao Māori, and commitment to advancing outcomes for Māori communities. Her work is grounded in kaupapa Māori values and a focus on equity and collective wellbeing.

Ms McLean brings a wealth of knowledge to her roles, along with a reputation for integrity, strategic thinking, and bridging Māori and Crown perspectives to support meaningful and lasting change.

Peter McCardle brings over 30 years of experience in public service, local government, and health governance, with a particular focus on health policy and system performance. His career spans central and local government, and he is widely respected for his commitment to public accountability and effective service delivery.

Mr McCardle served as an MP from 1990 to 1999. During his time in Parliament, he held ministerial roles and was closely involved in policy development in areas including health, social welfare, and employment. His time in government helped shape several key reforms in the public sector.

Following his parliamentary career, Mr McCardle continued his service in local and regional leadership. He was a long-standing member of the Hutt Valley District Health Board, contributing to oversight and governance during a period of significant health sector change. He also served on the Upper Hutt City Council, including roles as Councillor, Deputy Mayor, and Chair of the Council’s Audit Committee.

Mr McCardle is known for his focus on transparency, sound financial management, and delivering results that improve the lives of New Zealanders. His broad experience across governance, policy, and community service provides valuable insight into how health systems can operate more efficiently and equitably.

Terry Moore is a highly experienced health sector leader with a strong track record across both public and private healthcare. He is currently the Chair of Canopy Healthcare, Deputy Chair of IGENZ – Innovative Genomics, and a board member of CHT Care Homes, one of New Zealand’s largest aged residential care providers.

Mr Moore served as Chief Executive Officer of Southern Cross Healthcare from 2007 to 2022. Under his leadership, the organisation expanded its hospital network and modernised its services, becoming one of the country’s most trusted private healthcare providers. His work focused on delivering high-quality care, investing in clinical innovation, and strengthening the organisation’s financial and operational performance.

With more than 15 years at the helm of one of New Zealand’s largest health providers and decades of wider experience, Mr Moore brings a deep understanding of clinical governance, health strategy, and the challenges facing both aged care and acute care services.

He is known for his collaborative leadership style, strong business acumen, and ongoing commitment to improving health outcomes and access to care. Through his governance roles, Mr Moore continues to support innovation, equity, and high standards in the delivery of health care services.

Director, Health Assurance Unit; former DHB board member; public sector and Māori development leader

Hamiora Bowkett has more than 25 years of experience working across the public and private sectors, with a strong focus on health, infrastructure, and Māori development. He currently leads the Health Assurance Unit, where he oversees key Government health priorities. These include managing infrastructure funding, supporting legislative reform, and monitoring the performance of Health New Zealand.

In 2019, Mr Bowkett was jointly appointed to the Capital & Coast and Hutt Valley District Health Boards. During his time on these boards, he contributed to important decisions around health service delivery, capital investments, and system improvements.

Mr Bowkett is known for his collaborative leadership and his deep understanding of how health systems can better serve Māori and all communities. He works closely with iwi, government agencies, and stakeholders to ensure health services are effective, equitable, and aligned with the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Chief Medical Officer, Health New Zealand – Auckland; respiratory physician; former member, Capital Investment Committee

Dr Margaret Wilsher is a highly respected respiratory physician and senior health leader with decades of clinical, governance, and executive experience. She currently serves as Chief Medical Officer for Health New Zealand – Auckland, where she provides strategic clinical leadership and supports the delivery of safe, high-quality care across the region.

Dr Wilsher has a strong background in both clinical medicine and health system leadership. In addition to her clinical expertise, she brings deep knowledge of health infrastructure and investment planning. From 2011 to 2023, she was a long-serving member of the Capital Investment Committee, advising the Government on major health infrastructure projects and funding decisions.

Dr Wilsher has held a range of senior roles in health services and policy. She is known for her commitment to evidence-based practice, patient-centred care, and the integration of clinical insight into system-level planning and decision-making.

Her leadership has helped guide the development of modern, sustainable health services in New Zealand, and she continues to play a key role in shaping the future of the public health system through clinical governance, innovation, and investment strategy.

Business leader; former Chief Executive, Meridian Energy; former partner, Simpson Grierson

Mark Binns is an experienced senior executive and governance leader with a background in law, infrastructure, and large-scale commercial operations. He brings decades of leadership experience across some of New Zealand’s most significant companies and projects.

Mr Binns began his career as a lawyer and was a partner at leading law firm Simpson Grierson. He later moved into the construction and infrastructure sector, spending 22 years with Fletcher Building, including 15 years as Chief Executive of the construction and infrastructure division. In that role, he was responsible for delivering many of the country’s largest and most complex infrastructure projects.

From 2012 to 2017, Mr Binns served as Chief Executive of Meridian Energy. During his time there, he oversaw the company’s successful IPO and led significant investment in renewable energy and commercial performance.

Mr Binns is known for his strategic thinking, commercial acumen, and ability to lead complex organisations through change. His experience across law, infrastructure, and executive leadership brings valuable insight to public sector governance and the delivery of large-scale, future-focused services.

Barrister; public law and governance specialist

James Christmas is an Auckland-based barrister with deep expertise in public law, governance, and Crown entity oversight. He has advised government agencies, boards, and senior leaders on major policy, legal, and infrastructure matters across the public sector.

Mr Christmas brings a strong understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that guide public sector decision-making, particularly in relation to infrastructure investment, financial management, and accountability. His work spans strategic legal advice, risk management, and public sector reform.

He is widely respected for his ability to navigate complex legal issues while supporting practical, well-governed outcomes. His insight into Crown entity operations and public accountability makes him a valuable contributor to system-level oversight and strategic planning.

Mr Christmas’ experience strengthens organisations’ legal and governance capability, particularly where law, infrastructure, and public value intersect.

Infrastructure and construction specialist; legal and strategic advisor

Sarah Sinclair is a highly respected expert in construction, infrastructure, and energy, with a strong background advising on large, complex projects and system-level reform. She has extensive experience working with both government agencies and private sector clients, particularly in the delivery of major infrastructure programmes and public sector transformation.

Ms Sinclair has played a key role in shaping strategic legal and commercial frameworks that support high-value, long-term investments. Her expertise spans areas such as procurement, project governance, contract negotiation, and risk management, especially in regulated and fast-changing sectors such as health, energy, and transport.

She is widely recognised for her clear strategic thinking, collaborative approach, and ability to support major reforms that balance public value, innovation, and accountability. Ms Sinclair’s work helps ensure that infrastructure projects are well-governed, legally sound, and deliver lasting benefits to communities. 

Her leadership and insight make her a trusted advisor across both public and private sectors, particularly where complex infrastructure and public outcomes come together.

Crown Manager, New Dunedin Hospital Inpatient Building Project; senior executive and governance leader

Evan Davies is a highly experienced executive with more than 30 years of leadership across multiple sectors, including health, infrastructure, property, and commercial development. He brings deep strategic insight, operational expertise, and a strong track record of leading complex organisations and major national projects.

Mr Davies has recently been appointed as Crown Manager for the New Dunedin Hospital Inpatient Building Project, one of New Zealand’s largest and most significant health infrastructure developments. In this role, he is responsible for helping to ensure that the project progresses effectively, remains accountable to the public, and delivers long-term value for the health system and the people it serves.

Throughout his career, Mr Davies has held senior leadership roles in both the public and private sectors, including chief executive positions and board appointments. He is known for his clear thinking, strong commercial judgement, and commitment to delivering results in complex and high-stakes environments.

Mr Davies’ extensive cross-sector experience and ability to navigate both operational and strategic challenges make him a valuable leader in supporting New Zealand’s future health infrastructure.

Deputy Commissioner – Finance, Health New Zealand; Board Member, New Zealand Blood and Organ Service

Roger Jarrold is the Deputy Commissioner – Finance for Health New Zealand. He brings more than 40 years of financial leadership experience across both the public and private sectors. Mr Jarrold plays a key role in strengthening the financial performance and sustainability of our public health system.

Mr Jarrold has held senior finance roles across a range of industries, including healthcare, infrastructure, and commercial organisations. His work has included guiding complex organisations through periods of significant change, improving financial systems, and supporting long-term planning and accountability.

In addition to his role at Health New Zealand, Mr Jarrold is a board member of the New Zealand Blood and Organ Service. He is known for his pragmatic approach, strategic thinking, and deep understanding of the financial challenges and opportunities within public health. 

Mr Jarrold was appointed Deputy Commissioner in July 2024 for a 12-month term. His focus is on improving financial discipline across the health system, ensuring that resources are used as effectively as possible.