National Chief Mental Health and Addiction appointed

We are very pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Leeanne Fisher to the role of National Chief, Mental Health and Addiction. Leeanne commences her new role with us on 4 November 2024.

Leeanne is a binationally trained consultant psychiatrist with more than 20 years’ experience in both New Zealand and Australian public mental health services. For the past 12 years she has held clinical leadership roles in Victorian services, most recently as Deputy Chief Psychiatrist in the Mental Health and Wellbeing Division of Victoria’s Department of Health for the past two years. Leeanne has been part of the team that introduced a new Mental Health & Wellbeing Act (2022) which has placed the human rights of mental health consumers at its centre as a result of the recent Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System (2021).   

Her previous experience also includes ten years as a clinical or medical director of Child and Youth Mental Health Services in Melbourne. A New Zealander by birth, Leeanne completed her initial medical training here, and her local work experience includes six years working as a child and adolescent psychiatrist with Capital & Coast District Health Board, providing specialist mental health care for young people.

Leeanne is excited to be returning to New Zealand. Her work with us will focus on improving the access to and experience of high-quality care for New Zealanders, delivered as close to home as possible, with an emphasis on addressing health inequities particularly for Māori.

We have been very fortunate to have Murray Patton as Interim Chief, Mental Health and Addiction, pending a permanent appointment to this role. Murray has my warmest thanks for his leadership, commitment and highly valued contribution during this time.

Richard Sullivan