Ryan Bridge talks to MP Simeon Brown as he steps into his new role as Health Minister last month. Video / Newstalk ZB
Health NZ Te Whatu Ora chief executive Fepulea’I Margie Apa has resigned.
Apa will be replaced by national director of the planning, funding and outcomes business unit, Dr Dale Bramley, as interim chief executive.
Health NZ is facing serious budget challenges, with a deficit of $722 million for the 2023/24 year and a projected $1.1 billion loss for the 2024/25 year.
Fepulea’I Margie Apa will be replaced from today by national director of the planning, funding and outcomes business unit, Dr Dale Bramley, as interim chief executive.
Her term was to end in June, but she wanted to “make space” for a new leader to continue the work begun as part of Health NZ’s reset, Apa said.
“Health New Zealand is at a point in the reset where a different leadership approach is required to take us forward, and I would like to make space for that now.”
Apa and Health New Zealand Commissioner Professor Lester Levy - appointed by former Health Minister Shane Reti in July last year over governance and spending concerns - had planned a two-year “reset” of the organisation, aiming to be within budget by mid-2026.
That was later pushed to mid-2027.
The reset of Health NZ involved bringing spending under control and devolving some responsibilities to a regional level.
Apa was named Health NZ’s interim chief executive three years ago this month, before taking a fixed-term role in July 2022 ahead of the move from the former district health boards system to a unified healthcare system.
They “mutually agreed” on Apa’s decision to resign, Levy said this morning, acknowledging her contribution on behalf of himself and the three deputy commissioners.
“I would like to thank Fepulea’I Margie Apa very much for her service to Health New Zealand.
“Margie has an extraordinary work ethic and from the day of my appointment she has worked extremely hard to support the new work programme.
“The reset is a significant change in direction from where Health NZ was heading but she realigned entirely to the programme.”
Health NZ chief executive Fepulea’I Margie Apa, pictured next to Health NZ commissioner Lester Levy during the Health select committee hearing at Parliament in December. Apa announced her resignation this morning. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Collaborating to “join up and improve the care New Zealanders experience” was an ambition worth working for, Apa said.
“All of us can make so much more of a difference if we can work together better.
“I am pleased to have played a part in that shift. There is progress we have made – we are delivering more care than before to more people both in our hospitals and in our community and primary care sector.”
Professor Lester Levy was brought in as Health NZ Commissioner last July amid ongoing budget issues at the national health authority. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Apa - the former Counties Manukau District Health Board chief executive - had taken on the challenge of transitioning the health system into a single entity after the Labour Government’s reforms, Brown said this morning.
“Margie remained committed to ensuring access to healthcare services while Health New Zealand grappled with significant operational and financial challenges stemming from the health system reforms.
