MP claims 'conflict' for health official

Northland MP John Carter wants an investigation into the reappointment of Lynette Stewart as chairwoman of the Northland District Health Board, claiming she has a direct conflict of interest.

Mr Carter has written to Health Minister Annette King asking her to examine a "potential conflict of interest" for Mrs Stewart, who is also chief executive of the Te Tai Tokerau Maori Health Purchasing Organisation (Mapo).

Ms King re-appointed Mrs Stewart as chairwoman this month.

Mrs Stewart has denied having a conflict of interest with the two jobs.

Mr Carter said Mapo received about $800,000 a year in funding, including Mrs Stewart's salary, from the health board.

"Given Mapo's responsibility of overseeing Northland [Maori] health, and of course the involvement of Northland Health with Mapo, there seems to be a very direct conflict of interest," he said.

"The minister should have assessed the potential conflict of interest before she re-appointed Mrs Stewart."

But Mrs Stewart has rejected the accusation.

"The fact of the matter is I have been on the board for four years, the first year as deputy chair and the next three years as chair, and not once during that period of time have I ever been in a conflict-of-interest position," she said.

"I believe the minister has appointed me with confidence in my ability to handle that [conflict-of-interest] aspect, which could occur for any board member at any time."

The rules governing conflicts of interest were clear and scrupulously upheld by the board, she said.

In the past board members had been accused of a conflict of interest, but the claims had proved to be "totally erroneous", Mrs Stewart said.

"I believe absolutely in the integrity of myself and the board to appropriately declare conflicts of interest if they should occur."

A spokesman for Ms King said the minister was not in a position to comment on the matter.

However, if a letter had been written raising the issue then she would "look into it".

- NZPA