Cancer Control Agency boss steps down mid-term
Wednesday, 29 October 2025
The chief executive of the Cancer Control Agency is stepping down midway through his term.
Rami Rahal has announced his upcoming retirement from the role, with a statement from the agency saying Rahal “has decided now is a good time to spend more time with his whānau in Canada”.
Rahal was appointed in July 2023 for a five year term. He is standing down this December.
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“Rami has provided strong and steady leadership, guiding New Zealand’s cancer control efforts with dedication and clarity,” the statement read.
“Under his stewardship, the Agency has advanced key priorities in the New Zealand Cancer Action Plan, strengthened collaboration across the health system, and championed initiatives to improve cancer care and outcomes for all New Zealanders.”
In a previous interview with The Post, Rahal spoke about spending more than a decade at the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, most recently as vice president.
The Cancer Control Agency was set up in December 2019 with the aim of ensuring any cancer patient gets “world-class cancer care, no matter who they are or where they live”, then Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said at the time.