THREE KEY FACTS: The Government has taken control of troubled health agency Health NZ-Te Whatu Ora, appointing a commissioner to the organisation and sacking what remained of its board. Board chairman Professor Lester Levy has been appointed the sole commissioner for a 12-month term. Health Minister Shane Reti said Health NZ was overspending to the tune of $130 million a month - Levy will be required to implement a savings drive of $1.
4 billion. Andrew Little, a former leader of the NZ Labour Party, was the Minister for Health when Health NZ was formed in 2022, merging the country’s 20 DHBs to create a more joined-up health system. He resigned from politics in 2023.
OPINION The Government’s action this week to install Lester Levy as a sole commissioner for Te Whatu Ora Health NZ is, as current Minister Shane Reti acknowledged, the most drastic step a minister can take to lift our most important health organisation..