New Leadership at Health New Zealand: Mark Darrow Appointed Chairperson
Health Minister Simeon Brown announces Mark Darrow as the new chair of Health NZ, alongside new board members Dr. Bryan Betty and Michael Schubert, effective May 1.
By: AXL Media
Published: Apr 16, 2026, 4:24 AM EDT
Source: RNZ Pacific
A Governance Overhaul
The appointment of Darrow, an experienced director with a background in finance, audit, and risk, is a strategic move by the government to solidify accountability within the health sector. Minister Brown emphasized that Darrow’s expertise would be "critical to driving performance."
In addition to the new chairperson, two other key appointments were made to the board:
Michael Schubert: An expert in financial stewardship and organizational change, Schubert previously served as interim CEO of HealthAlliance. His term begins May 1, 2026.
Dr. Bryan Betty: A prominent primary care leader and specialist GP, Dr. Betty joins the board on July 24, 2026. His appointment signals a government priority to integrate clinical and primary care expertise into high-level governance.
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