Fepulea’i Margie Apa, the chief executive of Health New Zealand, has announced her resignation from the role. This decision comes four months ahead of the formal end of her term.
“Although my term formally ends in June, Health New Zealand is at a point in the reset where a different leadership approach is required to take us forward, and I would like to make space for that now,” Apa said in a statement.
Health New Zealand Commissioner Professor Lester Levy stated that the resignation of Fepulea’i Margie Apa was a mutual decision.
Levy also commended Apa’s outstanding work ethic: “From the day of my appointment, she has worked extremely hard to support the new work programme,” he said.
“On behalf of the three deputy commissioners, we are very grateful for the support she has provided to us, and we wish her very well for the future.”
Health Minister Simeon Brown has also expressed gratitude to Apa for her service and described how “Margie remained committed to ensuring access to healthcare services while Health New Zealand grappled with significant operational and financial challenges stemming from the health system reforms.”
“I acknowledge Margie’s decision to step down as chief executive of Health New Zealand and thank her for her service,” Brown added.
In February 2022, Apa assumed the role of interim CEO at Te Whatu Ora. She then transitioned to a fixed-term position in July 2022, supporting the previous government’s initiative to transform New Zealand’s health system from a regional district health board structure into a unified healthcare system.
Prior to that, Margie Apa served as the chief executive of Counties Manukau District Health Board.
Dr. Dale Bramley has been appointed as acting CEO of Health NZ while a formal recruitment process is underway to find Apa’s replacement.