- Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall
Some of the country’s most difficult health issues will be tackled by a newly established public health advisory committee, whose members have now been appointed.
Associate Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall says the new Public Health Advisory Committee will investigate and help address long-term health challenges facing Aotearoa.
“We know from managing the COVID-19 pandemic that strong evidence-based independent advice is crucial in responding to complex health issues,” Dr Verrall said.
“The group will ensure scientific expertise is at the heart of policy making decisions especially as we build a sustainable system capable of delivering health gain and health equity.
“As part of the health reforms we now have a much stronger focus on public health than ever before.
“We set up a new Public Health Agency responsible for public health policy, strategy and intelligence and aligned our once separate 12 public health units to work as one organisation, the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Public Health service.
The committee will be chaired by Kevin Hague, former Chief Executive of the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand and former Member of Parliament. Hague brings significant governance experience in the health and wellbeing sector, and expertise on public health and health promotion.
The other expert members are Sir Collin Tukuitonga, Beverly Te Huia, Associate Professor Jason Gurney, Professor Peter Crampton, and Dr Ruth Cunningham.
“I’m delighted that the Public Health Advisory Committee has such a highly regarded and diverse membership,” Dr Verrall said.
“As a government, we’re acutely aware of the fact that improving people’s health requires addressing the determinants of health.
“The committee will play a key role in considering the factors underlying the health of people and communities and prioritise equity-based approaches. I look forward to working with them and receiving their well-considered expert advice.”
Notes to editors: Public Health Advisory Committee member bios
Chair: Kevin Hague Kevin Hague is the former chief executive of the West Coast DHB, the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand and the New Zealand AIDS Foundation, and is also a former Member of Parliament. He has considerable experience in the health and wellbeing sector, and particular expertise in public health and health promotion. He is an experienced leader in the public, private and community sectors and is currently the Deputy Chair of Te Hiringa Mahara (the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission). He has an academic background principally in mathematics, physics and public health, and lives on the West Coast of the South Island. | |
Sir Collin Tukuitonga Dr Tukuitonga is a public health physician, associate professor and academic at the University of Auckland. He has extensive teaching and research expertise, and is the president-elect of the New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine. Dr Tukuitonga has focused his career on inequities, with a particular focus on Pacific and Māori health. He has strong relationships with the Pacific health community and leaders. He has expertise on boards at national and international level, as well as national and international leadership experience in Pacific Health. He is a past Harkness Fellow. | |
Beverly Te Huia Miss Te Huia (Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngai Tahu) is Public Health Strategist/Manager at Kahungunu Health Services, based in the Hawkes Bay. She is a public health strategic leader in local Iwi-led organisations and health services, and undertakes research and evaluation in Hauora Māori health. She has qualifications in midwifery, health science and public health, and board and chair experience on national and regional groups. | |
Associate Professor Jason Gurney Associate Professor Gurney (Ngāpuhi) is Director of the Cancer and Chronic Conditions (C3) Research Group at the Department of Public Health, University of Otago, and is based in Auckland. He has qualifications in epidemiology and public health. His current focus is on cancer, and he’s also seconded part-time to Te Aho o te Kahu (Cancer Control Agency). He has board and committee experience in the last 10 years in the field of health care delivery, cancer and research, and a significant list of publications with a focus on the cancer and health equity for Māori. | |
Dr Ruth Cunningham Dr Cunningham is public health medicine specialist and epidemiologist based at the University of Otago in Wellington. Her areas of focus are mental health, improving the physical health of people with mental health conditions, and the use of linked data for health equity research. She led the Public Health Strategic Response Team early in the COVID-19 response and has been seconded into senior roles in mental health and addictions and public health at the Ministry of Health. She has a strong interest in public health education and workforce development and has been involved in public health education at undergraduate, postgraduate and professional levels. | |
Prof. Peter Crampton Professor Crampton is a Professor of Public Health at the Kōtahu Centre for Hauora Māori, University of Otago. He has qualifications in medicine and public health, and is a Fellow of the New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine. He has an extensive career history of work in Māori and Pacific Health, is a past member of the Health and Disability Review Panel, and a past Harkness Fellow. |
