Health NZ names Mark Darrow as new chair, Lester Levy to exit
Thursday, 16 April 2026
Mark Darrow has been appointed as chairperson of the Health NZ board for a three-year term, with the former commissioner and current chairperson Lester Levy to leave the role early but stay on as strategic advisor.
Michael Schubert and Dr Bryan Betty have also been appointed to the board.
Levy was appointed as commissioner in July, 2024 to replace the board of Health NZ, and tasked with finding $1.4 billion in savings that financial year.
He will finish up his role at the end of the month, earlier than his scheduled July 23 finish, with Darrow set to take over on May 1.
In an email sent to Health NZ staff from chief executive Dale Bramley and obtained by The Post, it was revealed Levy would be staying on as a strategic adviser to the board.
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“We wish Lester the very best for the future. He will continue to be available to the board as a strategic adviser.”
Announcing the changes, Health Minister Simeon Brown said Darrow was an experienced board chairperson and director with “a strong track record” across the private and public sectors.
Darrow sat on the Counties Manukau Health board in three separate committees from 2016 to 2018 - chairing the Audit Risk & Finance Committee, and a member of the Hospital Advisory Committee and Maori Health Advisory Committee.
“He brings expertise in finance, audit, risk, and assurance, which will be critical to driving performance and accountability,” Brown said.
A Ministry of Health spokesperson said Darrow was appointed as chairperson to assist in shifting to a nationally planned, locally and regionally delivered health system.
“His appointment now allows him time to become familiar with Health New Zealand’s budget and operating context ahead of the start of the next financial year on 1 July.”
“Professor Levy has agreed to support the transition.”
Betty is a specialist GP based in Cannons Creek, Porirua and a health sector leader who has considerable governance experience, and will begin his role on July 24 following the expiry of Roger Jarrold’s term.
He has chaired General Practice New Zealand since 2023, and had past roles of Pharmac deputy medical director, Royal New Zealand College of GPs medical director.
He was a member of the Ministry of Health Technical Advisory Group, which advised on the Covid-19 response.
“He will bring additional clinical and health system expertise to the Board, particularly in relation to primary care, which is a key priority for the Government,” Brown said.
Schubert is the former ProCare director and interim HealthAlliance chief executive.
Brown said he is a professional director experienced in supporting organisations with financial stewardship, audit and risk, and organisational change.
He has governance experience in complex, highly regulated environments, including in health, he said.
On Levy’s exit, Brown said his leadership, first as commissioner and then as chairperson, saw Health NZ strengthen its financial performance and make meaningful progress against the Government’s health targets.
Bramley said Levy significantly improved patient access to care and significant turned around Health NZ’s financial performance.
“Twin feats that are seldom achieved simultaneously,” he said.
Health NZ members Frances Hughes, Parekawhia McLean, Peter McCardle, and Terry Moore will continue on in their roles.
Members have been appointed for three years.
Health Minister Shane Reti replaced the Health NZ board with Levy as commissioner in 2024, following a ballooning deficit, with a $1.76 billion deficit in 2023 to 2024, up from $1b the year before.
The board was reinstated a year later and Levy was appointed for a 12-month term, beginning July 24, 2025 and ending July 23, 2026.
How much are the Health NZ board paid?
Levy was paid $205,000 last year for his role as board chairperson - working a total of 82 days and paid $2,500 per day, the Official Information Act revealed.
Jarrold was the second most paid on the board, with members earning $1750 per day and working 67 days out of the year, which gave him a salary of $117,950.
While deputy chairperson Dr Andrew Connolly earned $2000 per day, he did not invoice for his time as he is a public service employee working as the chief medical officer.
Remaining members Peter McCardle earned $46,900 for working 27 days, Terry Moore $46,550 for working 27 days, Dr Frances Hughes was on $25,900 and worked 15 days and Parekawhia McLean $12,075 for working 7 days.
Mark Darrow’s career to date
Darrow chairs a range of boards already, including the Civil Aviation Authority, TSB, Armstrong Motor Group, MTF Finance, Riverton farm and MCD Capital Limited.
He announced he was stepping down as chairperson of Inland Revenue NZ's Risk and Assurance Committee three weeks ago.
He was deputy chairperson of Auckland Transport from 2021 to 2024 and the independent director of Motor Trade Association from 2012 to 2018.
Darrow has chaired a range of boards over the years including the Tertiary Education Commission’s establishment advisory group and NZ Transport Agency's audit risk and assurance committee.