Waikato District Health Board chairman Jerry Rickman has resigned, saying there is a perceived conflict of interest.
Mr Rickman told the Health Minister he is stepping down because of perceived conflicts of interest with his role as chairman and his work as a consultant to accounting firm Pricewaterhouse Coopers in Hamilton.
The district health board uses the services of the firm's Auckland office.
Mr Rickman, who was appointed chairman in 2007, says his interests were always known and the Auditor-General was comfortable with the situation, as was the board.
He says he is resigning because he does not want to place the Government or the minister in a position for potential public embarrassment.