Peter Larmer

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 President of Arthritis New Zealand, Associate Professor Peter Larmer 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 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.

Further information can be obtained from: 

Philip Grant, Establishment Project Manager – Tel: 022 131 8393 , email: philip@fph.org.nz