13 June 2022

Following an expression of interest process, two interim leaderships roles have been appointed for Data & Digital and Infrastructure & Investment.

  • Stuart Bloomfield, joins as interim Chief Data & Digital
  • Graham Smith, becomes interim Chief Infrastructure and Investment Officer

Stuart Bloomfield replaces Shayne Hunter, and joins us from Waitematā and Counties Manukau DHBs where he is currently Chief Digital Officer.

Stuart’s role will involve establishing a leadership team that produces a national picture of all the data and digital investments across the system, and the status of those investments. Stuart will work with Wayne McNee, Independent Chair for the Infrastructure & Investment and the Data & Digital Operating Model Working Groups, on the operating model design and implementation of agreed change recommendations, and enable colleagues in the sector to contribute to its design.

Stuart will provide the Health New Zealand ELT and interim Regional Directors with a monthly progress report against all data and digital investments. An important part of his role will be working with the Māori Health Authority to ensure that equity – and the needs of Māori health improvement are central to the decisions we make. He will also work with Health New Zealand and the Māori Health Authority Boards to form the Data & Digital Board Subcommittee and its work programme for the 2022/23 -2023/24 year.

Graham Smith will move into the Interim Chief Infrastructure and Investment Officer role from TAS, where is he currently Chief Executive. Graham will work with Wayne McNee to support the HIU transition to Health New Zealand. This includes recruiting people to support the work programme; work with Wayne McNee on the operating model design; and implementation of agreed recommendations from various reviews on the roles and functions of HIU and its alignment with Health New Zealand.

Graham will also work with closely with the Maori Health Authority to ensure equity and meeting the needs of Maori health improvement are central to decision making; and work with Health New Zealand and Māori Health Authority Boards to form the Capital Investment Sub-committee and its work programme for 22/23 – 23/24 year.

The permanent Chief Data & Digital and Chief Infrastructure and Investment Officer roles will be developed over the coming months and will be recruited through a full and open recruitment process.

Health New Zealand Interim Chief Executive Fepulea’i Margie Apa said, "these roles will then ensure a smooth handover and transition to the permanent appointees."

"I would like to extend my thanks to Shayne Hunter for his leadership, and thank Wayne for his ongoing support and leadership as independent chair."