7 November 2018
The Federation of Primary Health Aotearoa New Zealand (the Federation), whose purpose includes promoting primary health
as the central function and main focus of New Zealand’s health system, has confirmed the outcome of the election to
appoint its substantive Governance Board.
Announcing the first Board members, Dame Annette King, Chair of the Establishment Board said “I believe the Federation’s
members have elected a Board of extremely capable and experienced leaders from across primary health care who
collectively bring an impressive and important skill set to underpin the future direction of the Federation on behalf of
all its members and the communities they serve.”
The substantive Governance Board, which has been elected from nominees put forward by the 39 inaugural members of the
Federation, will take over the reins of the organisation from the Establishment Board which has been overseeing the
creation of the Federation since its first meeting in April 2018.
Newly elected Board member and Chair of Arthritis New Zealand, Associate Professor Peter Larmer (pictured above) said
“This feels like a significant moment for the advancement of primary health care in New Zealand and an enabler for
breaking down the barriers which many of us have perceived to be getting in the way of true health and care integration
for many years. I am excited about the potential of the Federation.”
The Board will meet on the 15 November 2018 and will receive a formal handover from the Establishment Board which will
then be disbanded. Amongst the first tasks of the new Board will be to progress the appointment of a Chief Executive
Officer and consider the appointment of Consumer Representative(s) to the Board following the Establishment Board’s call
for Expressions of Interest earlier in the year.
ENDS