Board Members

The Board consists of 11 members, 7 of whom are elected, and 4 (including the Chair) appointed by the Minister of Health. Bob Francis has been re-appointed as the Chair for this term.

The Board is responsible for the governance of the DHB. This includes oversight and direction for the organisation in relation to setting policy, delivery to plan and monitoring progress towards meeting goals.

Bob Francis (Chair - Appointed)

Served the final year of the previous term 2006 - 2007 and now serving 2007 - 2010.  I currently serve on several other bodies including - Commission Member New Zealand Fire Commission, Chairman Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre, Chairman Wairarapa Sports Education Trust, Chair Aratoi Foundation, Member Wairarapa Irrigation Committee, Referee Selector International Board (IRB), Life Member Wairarapa Bush Rugby Referees, Life Member Wairarapa Rugby Union.

I am well known for my passionate lifelong interest in Rugby, including many years as a first class Referee. I have an equally passionate belief in the Wairarapa and will continue to work tirelessly to improve the health and wellbeing of our community.

 Janine Vollebregt (Deputy Chair)

I am a registered nurse and am currently the Deputy Chair of the Wairarapa DHB, now in my third term with the Board. I am part of the winning team that provides the vision and the environment for health innovation, fiscal prudence and service success with our 'on time—on budget' new hospital. Continued improvement and enhancing services to meet community health needs is the current and future focus.

My nursing career spanning almost 20 years in the Wairarapa community gives me a solid knowledge base of current and projected health trends. I have worked in a Masterton aged care facility, a Featherston general practice, and was the Plunket Nurse for Carterton and Greytown. I was strongly involved in the establishment of the new Wairarapa Community PHO.  I am self-employed and I live in rural Carterton with husband Jim—we have 5 adult children.

Conflict of Interest Statement

To the best of my knowledge and belief, I have no conflicts of interest with the Wairarapa DHB except

• I provide occasional relief outreach nursing services to the Wairarapa Community PHO who has a contract with the WDHB.

• I  have a DHB contract as a support coordinator for the UCOL nursing students.

Trish Taylor

I am a Registered nurse and have worked in public and private hospitals, district nursing, mental health and for the disabled. Married to Joe, I now now live in Masterton after Whareama and Riversdale Beach. I have been involved in setting up the Wairarapa Addiction Service and the Tinui Community Aid Scheme.

This is my third term on the Board, haveing in previous years also served on the Masterton Hosptial Board and as a Wairarapa representative on the Wallington Area Health Board.

I believe the current Board, together with our excellent staff have made great improvements in hospital and health services here in the Wairarapa. We have worked with the community, the Primary Health Organisation and Maori providers in order to do that.

However there is still more to be done and I believe I have the experience and drive to help that process.

Conflict of Interest Statement

a.    My daughter-in-law is currently employed by Wairarapa Health.

b.    I am currently Patron of the Wairarapa Addiction Service.

I have not found these to be a conflict over the present term of the Board and do not believe that any conflicts are likely to arise in the future.

Fiona Samuel

A registered nurse for 16 years, working in Wairarapa primary health care for the past six. I grew up South Wairarapa, was educated in Masterton and have worked in Wairarapa and Auckland Hospitals.

My work is driven by the desire to achieve positive health outcomes—empowering people to understand their health issues and allowing them to access services appropriate to their needs.

This ground-level view gives me real insight into the health challenges facing everyday people.

I have three primary school aged children. Children are our future—the health of children and families needs a supportive voice.

Gaining experience in governance with three years on the Wairarapa Community Primary Health Organisation Board, I continue to develop my passion for helping people and improving health services.

I am committed to the vision Well Wairarapa—better health for all: Wairarapa ora—hauora pai mo te katoa.

Conflict of Interest Statement

I have the following conflicts of interest with the Wairarapa District Health Board:

a.    I am employed as a senior nurse at Wairarapa Hospital.

b.    I am a trustee on the Wairarapa Community PHO Board.

To the best of my knowledge and belief I have no other conflicts of interest with the Wairarapa District Health Board. I do not believe that any conflicts of interest are likely to arise in the future other than the continuation of the conflicts of interest stated above.

Viv Napier

This is my third term as a member of the Wairarapa DHB. I am also currently the South Wairarapa District Council Deputy Mayor. I believe the both roles complement and enhance each other.  I bring a rural community perspective to each role. The Wairarapa has seen some amazingly positive changes to the health service in six years. I enjoy being be a member of an outstanding DHB.

The new hospital has been the catalyst for the changes enabling us to start implementing services and programmes that can really change the lives of all Wairarapa people. People will always get sick but children, the elderly and Maori are still going to hospital too often. Services working together will ensure Wairarapa people are healthier and safer.

I know I have the experience, commitment, time, determination and enthusiasm to enable this to happen.

Conflict of Interest Statement

To the best of my knowledge and belief, I have no conflicts of interest with the Wairarapa District Health Board other than that:

a.    As a life member of the Royal New Zealand Plunket Society Inc Wairarapa Branch.

b.    As the South Wairarapa District Council Deputy Mayor and Councillor.

I do not believe that any conflicts of interest are likely to arise in the future, other than the continuation of the conflicts of interest as stated above.

Mavis Mullins MBA (Appointed)

Mavis's tribal affiliations are with Rangitane on her father's side and Atihaunui a Paparangi on her mother's side. Mavis is currently the Chair of Te Huarahi Tika Trust, previously known as the Maori Spectrum Trust. She has a long history in representing Maori aspirations and Maori communities, particularly in the wool industry and was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the wool industry.

Mavis was appointed to the Landcorp Board in April 2003. With her husband, Mrs Mullins established Paewai Mullins Shearing & Paewai Mullins Systems Limited, the first ISO accredited shearing organisation. Based in Dannevirke she chairs Aohanga Incorporation, which owns a large farm with 1200 shareholders east of Pongaroa. She currently chairs Poutama Trust, which provides business development services to Maori. Mrs Mullins is a former member of the Massey University Council. Completing her MBA in the early 1990s saw her focus on quality management systems in the rural sector.

She's also a director of the Atihau Whanganui Incorporation on the Wanganui River, which is where her mother hails from.

Liz Mellish (Appointed)

Tena koutou katoa

I am Te Atiawa and have worked in a variety of roles for my Iwi in Wellington and the Hutt Valley.  I have lived in Featherston for over 40 years. I have been involved in local community matters through primary and secondary schools and local government.

I have managed Nga Tekau O Poneke Alcohol and Drug service in Wellington and the Hutt since 1996. I am currently a Trustee of Palmerston North Maori Reserve, Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust and Advisory Trustee for Wellington Tenths Trust. I am the Executive Officer for both Trusts. I represent the Maori Partnership for Capital and Coast DHB on the DSAC committee.

I am committed to improving outcomes for Maori health which will in turn improve conditions for all New Zealanders.

Helen Kjestrup

I trained at Masterton Hospital and have lived in both urban and rural areas in the Wairarapa.  My experience in nursing and patient advocacy makes me an ideal representative for the community. I believe I have a realistic and practical understanding of the delivery of Health Care we should expect in the Wairarapa, and feel well equipped to represent the community's health needs on the DH Board.

A particular interest is elderly care, having worked in residential care. My experience involved coronary care, intensive care, special care baby unit and family planning.

I am Nurse Manager for Masterton Medical, a member of the Primary Health Care Nursing Advisory Committee and on the Chronic Disease Steering Group.

I am currently training as an auditor for the Royal College of General Practitioners which will give her the vehicle to experience first hand what other District Health Boards are doing nationally.

Conflict of Interest Statement

To the best of my knowledge and belief, I have no conflicts of interest with the Wairarapa District Health Board and I do not believe that any such conflicts of interest are likely to arise in future.

Pamela Jefferies OBE FCA FNZIOD (Appointed)

Pamela Jefferies lives in Greytown.  She is a Trustee of Greytown District Trust Lands Trust.  She is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants and a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Directors.  In her capacity as former Chief Human Rights Commissioner she has had an input into many health issues including the Right to Health, Disability issues, Access of Fertility and Renal Services and the rights of the disabled and elderly She is a former director of Bank New Zealand.  Her experience includes the management of professional people, strategic thinking, planning, financial management, change management and good governance issues.

 

Liz Falkner

I am a general practitioner, having lived and worked in Masterton since 1973.  I am also Medical Advisor to Post Polio Support Society NZ (Inc) and President of the Wairarapa Branch.

I have been an elected member of the Wairarapa District Health Board for its past two terms, and have been appointed to the Hospital and Disability Committees.

I have been a member of Wairarapa College Board of Trustees for seven years, and am currently studying for a post-graduate diploma. I am married, with two adult sons, and am a member of Rotary. My interests include languages, the arts and stitching.

I have worked diligently during my terms on the Wairarapa District Health Board, and enjoy serving my community in this way.

Conflict of Interest Statement

I am currently employed by The Doctors Masterton, in Chapel Street, as a salaried general practitioner. The general practice for which I work is a member of the Wairarapa Community PHO.

I am Honorary Medical Advisor to Post Polio Support Society NZ (Inc), and President of the Wairarapa Branch of PPSS NZ (Inc).

I am a Board Member of New Pacific Studios.

To the best of my knowledge and belief, I have no other conflicts of interest with the Wairarapa DHB.

I do not believe that any conflicts of interest are likely to arise in the future, other than my intended continuation in these fields.

Perry Cameron

Perry is an elected Board member, Wairarapa DHB, and chairs the Audit & Risk Committee.  He is a member of Community and Public Health Advisory Committee. Ministerial appointee to the NZ Psychologists Board.  Chair, Wairarapa Families Anglican Trust. 

Chartered Accountant (Retired). Perry has post-graduate qualifications and work experience in economics and business administration, with general management experience in both the private and public sectors in New Zealand and Canada. Former Secretary for Internal Affairs, Secretary for Civil Defence, and Secretary for Local Government; member NZ Fire Service Commission, Hillary Commission, Lotteries Commission, Interim Board - Museum of NZ, Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council, NZ Geographic Board.

 Perry is a former Member, Council of NZICA, and Executive of NZ Surf-Lifesaving; Service Award & Team Captain WDSLSA.  NZU Water Polo Representative. Co-founder, Coordinator and Hon Life Member, NZ Marathon Swimming Council.

Conflict of Interest Statement

To the best of my knowledge and belief, I personally have no conflicts of interest with the Wairarapa District Health Board (DHB). I am the sole director of Perry Cameron & Associates Ltd, a professional consultancy firm currently providing business and financial advisory services.