Health Funds gets new CEO

The Health Funds Association of New Zealand has appointed former Families Commission chief executive Claire Austin as its new executive director.

The association is the industry body representing the majority of health insurers.

Austin's responsibilities in her new role will include the development of the Centre of Excellence, which works towards developing industry standards, looks at trends across the health sector, and provides industry data and policy advice.

Austin said Governments were increasingly turning to the private sector to co-operate for gains in the health sector.