Keriana Brooking, who is currently the Deputy Director-General Health System Improvement and Innovation at the Ministry of Health, will replace interim chief executive Craig Climo of the Hawke's Bay District Health Board.
Keriana Brooking. Photo: Supplied / Hawke’s Bay DHB
Her involvement with the Covid-19 pandemic means she will not begin her new role until October.
Former DHB chief executive Kevin Snee left last year to take up the position of chief executive at Waikato DHB.
Hawke's Bay DHBs chair Shayne Walker said he was delighted to announce the appointment.
"Brooking is a very experienced senior health leader who will bring her breadth of knowledge in not only health system improvement and innovation, but in her ability to lead with influence and capability to Hawke's Bay," Walker said.
She said Brooking was actively involved in supporting the Ministry of Health with the Covid-19 she wouldn't begin in the role until 5 October.
While we have some time to wait before she takes over at the district health board, the organisation is in a good position with its skilled interim chief executive Craig Climo at the helm.
Brooking, of Ngāti Pāhauwera and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, has strong links to Hawke's Bay as her father was born and raised in Wairoa before he moved to Oamaru where he raised his own family.
"There is something about this special part of New Zealand, the people and the way they live, acknowledging what is great about the region and what could be different and better," Brooking said.
She said she was excited to join the DHB and looked forward to working with staff, other DHBs, health and disability service providers and the wider Hawke's Bay community.