West Coast Health (incorporated under the name West Coast Primary Health Organisation) is a Charitable Trust governed by Board of Trustees. The Trustees are appointed to the Board by the following organisations:
- Te Runanga o Ngati Wae Wae
- Te Runanga o Makaawhio
- Westland District Council
- Grey District Council
- Buller District Council
In addition, each of the following groups of people can nominate one of their members to act as a Trustee:
- Te Tai o Poutini Maori Health Providers
- GPs employed by a West Coast primary care practice
- Nurses employed by a West Coast primary care practice
- Practice Managers and admin staff employed by a West Coast primary care practice
The trustees have a duty to act in the best interests of the charitable purposes of the trust rather than to represent the interests of their respective nominating entities.
The charitable purposes of West Coast Health are:
a) to improve, maintain and restore the health of people living in the West Coast Region;
b) to provide or ensure the provision of accessible primary health care services to the community of the West Coast Region;
c) to provide or ensure the provision of effective, high quality integrated health services for the community of the West Coast Region;
d) to assist members of the community of the West Coast Region (particularly those on low incomes and with high health care needs) who have difficulty gaining timely and appropriate health services;
e) to work with the West Coast District Health Board and community groups within the West Coast Region to achieve any of the above Objects;
f) to support any institution, society or other body of persons whether incorporated or not whose objects are similar to the objects of the Trust set out above, provided that any such entity is established for charitable purposes in New Zealand.
Board Members
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Calum Stannett - GP Representative Board MemberLearn MoreCalum is a GP who lives and works in Greymouth. Originally from Scotland, he studied in Edinburgh and qualified in 2015 before moving to New Zealand in 2019. He is a Fellow of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners and brings almost a decade of experience working in front-line healthcare services to the Board.
Calum strives for the highest quality Primary Healthcare / GP services for the Coast. He joined the West Coast Health Board of Trustees in 2023 in order to provide a strong voice for GPs within Primary Care.
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Kate Kennedy - Grey District Council Representative Board MemberLearn MoreI am currently an elected Grey District Councilor serving the Northern Ward. I am a Registered Comprehensive Nurse. I have an extensive background in community work especially in the mental health and addictions space. I am a co-founder of Runanga Village People and am actively involved in the community development of Runanga on multiple fronts.
My drive is to endorse strategy that improves access to health services. Distance, cost and waiting lists are huge barriers for our rural population.Taking primary healthcare to the people is my vision.
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Mahara Doig - Administration Representative Board MemberLearn MoreHi, my name is Mahara Doig,
I was nominated by the Te Nīkau Integrated Health Centre Administration Team and took on the role as the Administration Representative on the Board in early 2022.
I have lived on the West Coast in Greymouth for 22 years and have been working in a Primary care administration role for 12 years now.
Being part of the board means I can use my Primary care background to ensure West Coast Health are making decisions that benefit primary health care users across the West Coast.
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Helen Wilson - Independent Chair Board MemberLearn MoreKia ora
I am honoured to be the Independent Chair of the West Coast Health Board. I have lived and worked in Te Tai Poutini | West Coast for more than 40 years, teaching for 17 years, following with18 years in various roles within Development West Coast. I am experienced in navigating government department processes in terms of funding into NZ’s regions.
In the past few years, I have completed my Professional Project Management certification (PMP) and have graduated from the Westlake Governance program.
As Independent Chair my role is to provide leadership in developing an effective governance culture and ensuring strong communication flows between the board and management.
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Ashely Cassin - Westland District Council Representative Board MemberLearn MoreAshley joins us on the West Coast PHO board as an appointed member from the Westland District, where he serves as both a Southern Ward Councillor and the Deputy Mayor. Ashley and his family live just south of Hokitika.
Ashley’s interest in health comes heavily from the mental health space but also from a place of equity in service provision and education around Coasters playing a key role in their own health journey.
Having moved to the Coast 10 years ago, Ashley has spent even parts in both Hokitika and Franz Josef. The West Coast environment plays a big part of Ashley’s te whare tapa wha.
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Graeme Neylon - Buller District Council Representative Board MemberLearn More
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Lisa Tumahai - Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae Representative Board MemberLearn More -
Nikki-Leigh Condon - Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio Representative Board MemberLearn MoreI am proud to be the Kāti Māhaki representative on the West Coast Health board and live locally in Hokitika. I am a business owner and mentor with Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and have worked for two of our four West Coast councils. I have been a health equity advisor, the senior advisor for wellbeing for the Ministry of Justice, and the senior community engagement advisor for the West Coast for Statistics New Zealand. During my time on the board, I hope to improve health outcomes for our impoverished and rural communities and ensure equitable access and treatment for all.
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Shelley Mills - Te Tai o Poutini Māori Health Provider Representative Board MemberLearn More
I am a Trustee on the West coast Health Board, nominated by my employers, Poutini Waiora, to support Māori in the community.
I live on the West Coast in Hokitika, and I bring several years of experience working in the Maori Health and wellbeing sector, working closely with whānau to improve health and wellbeing outcomes.
During my time on the Board, I aim to enhance culturally responsive services, foster strong community connections, and advocate for the needs of Māori across Te Tai o Poutini. I am passionate about driving initiatives that empower whānau and contribute to the overall wellbeing of our people.
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Jim Butzbach - Practice Nurse Representative Board MemberLearn MoreJim is currently the Nursing Representative Trustee. He was nominated by his peers. He was previously the Westland District Council Representative on the Trust for many years. Jim resides in Awatuna near Hokitika.
He currently works for Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora as an employee at Te Nikau Health Centre.
He has worked in health for 40+ years in various roles overseas as well as in NZ where he has worked in Defence Force, Rural, Primary care and Hauora Māori Roles. He has been involved in several community groups and initiatives. He has served as a Westland District Councillor as well as other Council related support roles within his community. My role is to represent the nursing viewpoint as well as to help achieve optimal health access and outcomes for our communities.