A public sector watchdog is warning of serious tensions if a senior Ministry of Health executive is elected to the Capital and Coast District Health Board.
Mark Jacobs, the director of public health at the Ministry of Health, is one of 21 people seeking election to the DHB.
Institute of Public Administration of New Zealand president Len Cook says Dr Jacobs would be expected in his Ministry of Health role to support public policy and advise politicians on what policy they should endorse.
But he says an elected role carries the expectation that public policy can be criticised, and combining the roles carries a degree of tension.