Ends where it began for health board chief

‘An absolute privilege’: That was how Jim Green, pictured with partner Janneen Kinney, described his 22 years of health board management in Tairāwhiti. He was officially farewelled yesterday. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

AN emotional Jim Green was officially farewelled from Hauora Tairāwhiti after more than 22 years as chief executive of the local health board.

Health officials and other community figures, such as local police commander Inspector Sam Aberhama and Mayor Rehette Stoltz, sang the praises of Mr Green and noted how he was universally respected.

The farewell was held yesterday in the same room Mr Green was formally welcomed as the chief executive of Tairāwhiti  District Health in December 2000.

Mr Green walked into a turbulent era with the Tairāwhiti  Healthcare board being sacked in June of 2000 and now Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown running the board as commissioner.

Major restructuring was under way as district health boards were set up throughout the country.

There is a touch of irony to Mr Green’s departure, as it comes not long after another significant restructure of the health system — the establishment of Te Whatu Ora/Health New Zealand.

Mr Green said it had been a long and challenging time.

While it had not been easy at times, Mr Green said it had been “an absolute privilege” to work with dedicated staff and board members.

Their hard work and dedication had led to progress in the local health sector. All were dedicated to “the outcomes we want to achieve.”

Mr Green has been away from Tairāwhiti  for four months but his farewell mihi and “flowing te reo” quickly reconfirmed the importance and specialness of “being in Tairāwhiti  and what that means”.

It showed the importance of relationships and “who we are and what we are in Tairāwhiti ”.

Mr Green acknowledged the presence of representatives from Manaaki Tairāwhiti .

It was important to work with government and community organisations, he said.

Iwi and Māori health providers had the strength and drive to “make large gains in equity”.

Such relationships had to be strong and enduring.

Mr Green’s first board chairwoman, Ingrid Collins — appointed while Mr Brown was still in charge — thanked Mr Green for his support and knowledge. It was a difficult role coming from a public health background to chair a large organisation like a health board, she said.

Former health board chairman David Scott said Mr Green brought mauri (life force/essence) to the board with the establishment of Hauora Tairāwhiti .

Several speakers thanked Mr Green for his commitment to equity and for realising Māori health providers could provide better health services than the board.

Thank you for giving us space, Turanga Health chief executive Reweti Ropiha said.

Humorous references were made to Mr Green having retired several times.

For the past three months he has been working for Te Whatu Ora in Wellington and Auckland, and will continue doing so for another three months before he retires fully.

“It’s just six months,” he said.

Mr Green told the Herald he was lucky to be retiring in good health.

He would have more time to see his family and pursue his passion for running.

He thanked his family for their love and support.