Former Health NZ chair Lester Levy retained on $1950-a-day contract as independent board adviser
Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Former Health NZ board chairperson Lester Levy is being paid $1950 a day in his new role as independent board adviser while the board’s Crown observer, Hamiora Bowkett, receives $1750 each day.
Levy’s exit from his role as board chairperson was announced in April, and an email obtained by The Post revealed Levy would be staying on as strategic adviser to the board.
A letter to Levy from Health NZ, released through the Official Information Act (OIA), described his role as providing strategic advice and support to the Health NZ board and, at the chair’s direction, to a board committee or directly to Health NZ management.
He is paid a daily fee of $1950, and would work one day per week for a 48-week year, meaning he will receive $93,600 annually if he works all days assigned.
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His appointment runs for 12 months, ending on April 30, 2027, and could be extended by mutual agreement between Health NZ and Levy.
Levy was paid $205,000 last year for his role as board chairperson ‒ working a total of 82 days and paid $2500 per day, a separate OIA revealed.
The board chairperson role has been taken over by Mark Darrow, who was appointed Health NZ board chair for a three-year term in Levy’s place.
Levy’s role is to provide expert input into meeting and workshops, support negotiations and procurement with digital and technology vendors, and assist in the development of business cases, the letter said.
He would also advise Health NZ on options for a digital modernisation model and develop proposals for both new and existing health technologies.
He did not hold decision-making authority and he would not displace the role of the board or management.
Levy was approached for comment.
Meanwhile Bowkett was appointed as Crown observer to the board last July for a three-year term ending July 2028 and is being paid $1750 per day.
His role was expanded from a part-time role working 80 days a year to “full-time duties” in November last year with Cabinet agreement ‒ he is now working up to 235 days per year.
Information from Brown’s office, obtained under the OIA, said the expansion was “in recognition of the significant level of oversight and engagement requirement”.
“Since appointment, the Crown Observer’s contribution and work programme exceeded initial exceptions,” said Brown’s senior ministerial adviser Reef Stewart in the OIA reply.
Bowkett would earn $411,250 annually if he worked all 235 days.
In a letter from Brown, his role is described as providing advice on whether Health NZ is managing its fiscal position.
“This is a key appointment. You are expected to play a leading role in ensuring this Government's health agenda is implemented and real results are delivered for New Zealanders,” Brown said in the letter.
Brown said he expected him to work closely with the Health NZ board chair, the chief executive, the national director and business and governance services.
His duties include observing meeting decisions, helping those at the meeting to understand policies and wishes of the Government and advising Brown.
He is expected to attend Brown’s weekly status meetings with the ministry and Health NZ, and the Health NZ board meetings.
Senior Ministry of Health officials can step in for Bowkett if he misses meetings. It is not clear if he gets paid his daily fee if he does not attend.
While Bowkett was being paid by Health NZ, it was the Ministry of Health which was responsible for providing support in his role.
Bowkett concluded his secondment to the Public Service Commission as executive director of the Health Assurance Unit and resigned from the Department of Internal Affairs leading Local Water Done Well in January this year following the move to full-time as Crown observer in December.
He told The Post he felt very privileged to undertake this role and its duties.
ASMS executive director Sarah Dalton called for greater transparency around the roles, saying the rationale for appointing both Levy and Bowkett, and the substance of their roles, remained unclear.
“In a climate where upwards of 10,000 public servants are going to lose their jobs, the notion that someone could be paid the thick end of $2000 a day to do we’re not sure what feels wrong.”
She pointed to the sweeping cuts made to the data and digital team at Health NZ, saying their appointment came around the same time critical IT support was being cut ‒ with 140 vacant roles.
A Ministry of Health spokesperson said providing strategic advice and oversight to the Health NZ, the operator of the healthcare system and the largest employer in the southern hemisphere, carried expectational responsibility.
“These roles require expertise, judgement, and time commitment well beyond what is expected of standard governance appointments.”
The spokesperson said the fees framework and associated remuneration ranges did not adequately take account of the demands of this type of position.
“The fees for the Board Advisor and Crown Observer reflect the significant demands of the roles.”
How much are Health NZ board members paid?
Board members earn $1750 per day, with Roger Jarrold earning the most of any member by working 67.4 days out of the year, which gave him a salary of $117,950.
Remaining members Peter McCardle earned $46,900 for working 26.8 days, Terry Moore $46,550 for working 26.6 days, Dr Frances Hughes was on $25,900 and worked 14.8 days and Parekawhia McLean $12,075 for working 6.9 days.
Deputy chairperson Dr Andrew Connolly earned $2000 per day, but he did not invoice for his time as he is a public service employee working as the chief medical officer.