Manaia Health public health organisation head Chris Farrelly has been been appointed to lead the Auckland City Mission.
A City Mission spokesperson confirmed the appointment of Mr Farrelly, who has headed Manaia Health for 13 years, saying he had a long history of working with the poor and marginalised both in New Zealand and overseas.
The spokesperson said he had led several programmes, including a house insulation project and working to bring free milk into schools.
Mr Farrelly said he did not want to comment until he started his new role, on 1 June.
He replaces Dame Diane Robertson, who headed the Auckland City Mission for 17 years.