Our Board

Professor Levy was appointed Commissioner of Health New Zealand in July 2025. 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 the health sector 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 many health organisations, including serving as chief executive of:

• South Auckland Health
• New Zealand Blood Service
• MercyAscot Hospital Group.

He also chaired:

• Auckland Transport
• Tonkin + Taylor
• all 3 Auckland district health boards, Waitematā, Auckland, and Counties Manukau, between 2009 and 2017.

In 2019, Professor Levy became Auckland University of Technology's inaugural Professor of Digital Health Leadership. In this role he leads research and teaching focused on technology’s role in transforming healthcare.

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 Board Chair, Professor Levy's focus is on sustainable care for all New Zealanders by:

• improving system-wide performance
• strengthening clinical leadership
• driving a disciplined financial reset.

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

Dr Andrew Connolly was appointed as Deputy Chair and a member of the Board in July 2025 for a 3-year term. He brings a strong clinical background and decades of leadership experience across the health system. He is 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 the first Counties Manukau colorectal surgeon in the late 1990s. He:

• led the department of general and vascular surgery for more than 15 years
• is widely recognised for his commitment to clinical excellence and patient care.

Dr Connolly has held several national leadership roles.

• Chair of the Medical Council of New Zealand.
• A member of the Health Quality and Safety Commission.
• Deputy Commissioner and Crown Monitor for several former district health boards.

He now chairs Health New Zealand’s Health Workforce and System Efficiencies Committee, and helps guide national efforts to build a strong, sustainable health workforce.

Throughout his career, Dr Connolly has championed improvements in:

• planned care
• reduced wait times
• 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 NZ, he plays a key role in supporting safe, high-quality care and leading long-term change across the health system.

Roger Jarrold is the Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee and the Capital and Infrastructure Committee. 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
• commercial organisations.

His work has included:

• guiding complex organisations through periods of significant change
• improving financial systems
• supporting long-term planning and accountability.

As well as his role at Health NZ, 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 as a Board member in July 2025 for a 12-month term. His focus is on improving financial discipline across the health system, making sure resources are used as effectively as possible.

Dr Frances Hughes was appointed as a Board member in July 2025 for a 3-year term. Dr Hughes is a registered nurse and respected health leader with more than 30 years' experience. She serves on the Health Research Council and the Water Services Authority boards. There she contributes her expertise in both health and systems governance.

Dr Hughes has held senior roles in New Zealand and abroad, including:

• Chief Nurse at the Ministry of Health, where she led national nursing strategy and policy
• Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer for Queensland Health in Australia
• 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
• delivery of person-centred care
• 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
• commitment to building resilient health systems.

Her contributions are widely recognised. She remains a strong voice for equity, innovation, and the vital role of nursing in healthcare transformation.

Parekawhia McLean was appointed as a Board member in July 2025 for a 3-year term. She is a highly respected leader with great 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. This is the independent body that investigates possible miscarriages of justice.

She is a member of Te Whakakitenga o Waikato, the governance body of Waikato-Tainui. She served as its Chief Executive, leading:

• strategic direction
• development initiatives
• partnerships across the public and private sectors.

Ms McLean has held senior roles in government and iwi organisations. In these roles she contributed 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
• bridging Māori and Crown perspectives to support meaningful and lasting change.

Peter McCardle was appointed as a Board member in July 2025 for a 2-year term. He brings over 30 years of experience in public service, local government, and health governance. He has a particular focus on health policy and system performance. His career spans central and local government. He is respected for his commitment to public accountability and effective service delivery.

Mr McCardle served as an MP from 1990 to 1999. While in Parliament, he held ministerial roles and was involved in policy development in areas including:

• health
• social welfare
• employment.

His time in government helped shape several key reforms in the public sector.

After Parliament, 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 served on the Upper Hutt City Council, as Councillor, Deputy Mayor, and Chair of the Council’s Audit Committee.

Mr McCardle is known for his focus on:

• transparency
• sound financial management
• 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 be fairer and more efficient in how they operate.

Terry Moore was appointed as a Board member in July 2025 for a 2-year term. He is a seasoned health sector leader with deep experience in both public and private healthcare. He is:

• Chair of Canopy Healthcare
• Deputy Chair of IGENZ – Innovative Genomics
• board member of CHT Care Homes — one of New Zealand’s largest aged residential care providers.

As CEO of Southern Cross Healthcare for 15 years, Mr Moore led major growth and innovation. This helped the organisation become one of the country’s most trusted private healthcare providers. His work focused on:

• delivering high-quality care
• investing in clinical innovation
• strengthening the organisation’s financial and operational performance.

Mr Moore brings a deep understanding of clinical governance, health strategy, and the challenges facing both aged care and acute care services.

Mr Moore is known for his:

• collaborative leadership
• business insight
• commitment to improving health outcomes.

He continues to support innovation, equity, and high standards in healthcare through his governance roles.

Mr Bowkett has 25 years’ experience across the public and private sectors, with expertise in:

• health
• infrastructure
• Māori development.

He previously led the Health Assurance Unit overseeing key Government health priorities, including:

• infrastructure funding
• legislative reform
• monitoring of Health New Zealand.

In 2019, Mr Bowkett was jointly appointed by Ministers to the Capital and Coast and Hutt Valley District Health Boards.

Dr Wilsher is an experienced respiratory physician and the Chief Medical Officer at Health NZ.

She has significant senior governance experience and extensive financial and clinical leadership experience. She served on the Capital Investment Committee for the Government where she oversaw health infrastructure investment between 2011 and 2023.

Mr Binns is a qualified lawyer and a former partner of Simpson Grierson in Auckland.

He was Chief Executive of Meridian Energy from 2012 to 2017. Before that he spent 22 years with Fletcher Building. 15 of those years were as Chief Executive of the Construction and Infrastructure division.

James Christmas is an Auckland barrister with extensive experience in:

• public law
• governance
• Crown entity oversight.

Mr Christmas has advised on major policy and infrastructure matters. He brings a strong understanding of:

• public sector accountability
• financial management
• the legal frameworks that govern infrastructure investment.

Sarah Sinclair is a highly regarded construction, infrastructure, and energy specialist. She has extensive experience in acting for both government and private sector clients in:

• large-scale, complex infrastructure projects
• public sector reform programmes.

Evan Davies has multi-sector knowledge and has held a diverse range of senior leadership roles over the last 30 years.

He is the Crown Manager to the Health NZ New Dunedin Hospital Inpatient Building Project.

Refer to Roger's biography in the Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Board section above.