A corrigendum of this notice was published on 13 March 2025, Notice No. 2025-go1278.

Notice Title

Appointment of Directors of Area Mental Health Services

Pursuant to section 92 of the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992, I, Dr Diana Sarfati, Director-General of Health:

  1. Revoke all previous notices appointing the Directors of Area Mental Health Services made by the Director-General of Health pursuant to section 92 of the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992 (“Act”); and
  2. Appoint the persons set out in the Schedule of this notice as Directors of Area Mental Health Services for the areas specified below pursuant to section 92 of the Act.

Schedule

Area of Responsibility

Person Appointed

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Te Tai Tokerau Northland

Dr Margaret Aimer, psychiatrist, of Auckland

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waitematā

Michelle Dawson, registered nurse, of Auckland

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai Auckland

Dr John Jacques, consultant psychiatrist, of Auckland

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau

Dr Eric Pushparajah, consultant psychiatrist, of Manukau

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waikato

Dr Rees Tapsell, psychiatrist, of Auckland

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty

Dr Andrew Wilkinson, consultant psychiatrist, of Tauranga

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Lakes

Joanna Price, registered nurse, of Rotorua

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Tairāwhiti

Dr Inez Awatere-Walker, clinical psychologist, of Hawke’s Bay

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Taranaki

Ross Ekdahl, nurse practitioner, of Waitara

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Te Matau a Māui Hawke’s Bay

Dr Inez Awatere-Walker, clinical psychologist, of Hawke’s Bay

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Te Pae Hauora o Ruahine o Tararua MidCentral

Dr Alison Masters, psychiatrist, of Palmerston North

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley

Jeff Hammond, registered nurse, of Whanganui

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Nelson Marlborough

Dr Neil Yorke, consultant psychiatrist, of Nelson

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Te Tai o Poutini West Coast

Dr Heather McPherson, consultant psychiatrist, of Runanga

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury

Dr Sigi Schmidt, Chief of Psychiatry, of Christchurch

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Whanganui

Jeff Hammond, registered nurse, of Wellington

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Wairarapa

Jeff Hammond, registered nurse, of Wellington

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora South Canterbury

Dr Cecilia Smith-Hamel, medical practitioner, of Timaru

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora Southern

Ruth Manning, psychiatric nurse, of Dunedin


Dated at Wellington this 18th day of February 2025.

Dr DIANA SARFATI, Director-General of Health, Te Tumu Whakarae mō te Hauora.