Please attribute to Dr Dale Bramley, Health New Zealand Chief Executive

I am pleased to announce further appointments to Executive Regional Director roles at Health New Zealand. These appointments strengthen the clinical capability and operational leadership across the Executive Leadership Team.

Dr Andrew Brant has been appointed Executive Regional Director Northern.

Andrew has a wealth of leadership experience in both the public and private systems. He is a Respiratory Physician and is currently Chief Medical Officer at Allevia Hospitals (previously Mercy Ascot) and Director of Clinical Innovation for Allevia Health. His return to the public system follows earlier work in various senior executive roles including Acting CEO of Canterbury DHB and Deputy CEO and Chief Medical Officer at Waitematā DHB. Andrew was also Interim Regional Director Northern in the early days of Health NZ. Andrew’s commencement date will be notified in the coming weeks.

Chris Lowry has been appointed Executive Regional Director Central | Te Ikaroa.

Chris was previously a nurse in critical care and emergency settings who has built a career as an experienced executive leading large, complex hospital and community services within the health sector. Most recently, Chris was Regional Director, Hospital & Specialist Services Te Manawa Taki from January 2023 to August 2024.  Prior to that, she was interim District Co-Director, Health NZ Waikato, from July 2022 to January 2023 and Executive Director Hospital & Community Services, Waikato DHB, from January 2021 to January 2023. Chris begins in her new role on 18 August.

Dr Pete Watson has been appointed 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).  Pete 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.

These three Executive Regional Director appointments are in addition to my recent announcement of Cath Cronin’s appointment as Executive Regional Director Midland | Te Manawa Taki.

The Executive Regional Director roles have a strong delivery focus and are responsible for:

  • developing effective clinical partnerships;
  • delivering against the national health targets, including the Electives Boost;
  • implementing improved access to primary care; and
  • ensuring health services are high-quality, safe and sustainable.