Te Awakairangi Health Network

About Us

Our Governance and Team

Board of Trustees
Executive Team
Governance Groups

About Us

Our Governance and Team

Board of Trustees
Executive Team
Governance Groups

About Us

Our Governance and Team

Board of Trustees
Executive Team
Governance Groups

How we are Governed

Our Board of Trustees

Joe Ashgar

Chair

Muhammad Naseem (Joe) Asghar

Originally trained as a pharmacist, Joe followed a career mainly in hospital practice gaining experience across a range of clinical disciplines. During this time he also worked in community practice. Subsequent steps saw Joe move to management positions, initially in local health services to eventually a role with the UK Department of Health. On moving to New Zealand, he initially worked in health, with a subsequent move into science and science policy. He has recently taken up the role of Chief Executive of Presbyterian Support Central. Joe completed his undergraduate degree and Masters in Science at Strathclyde University and his MBA at Durham. He has Fellowships of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (UK), the Faculty of Public Health (UK), the New Zealand College of Pharmacists and is a Chartered member of the Institute of Directors. He currently chairs the Board of Te Awakairangi Health Trust.

Peggy

Board Member

Peggy Luke-Ngaheke

Peggy is a mother of three and grandmother of three beautiful Mokopuna. She has lived in the Hutt Valley all of her life. Peggy is very passionate about better health in the Hutt Valley for all whanau. She trained as a Counsellor and AOD Clinician and has worked for the Hutt Valley DHB. Peggy worked in community mental health for six years. She is currently a Runanga Trustee for Te Atiawa and presently manages the Marae at Waiwhetu. She also has a background of 36 years in Kohanga Reo and is very passionate about great health for all Mokopuna.

Muriel Tunoho

Board Member

Muriel Tunoho

Muriel is a long-time Hutt Valley resident, and has served on the Board of Te Awakairangi Health Network since its inception. She is an active Board member of the Health Care Aotearoa Network and this keeps her in touch with HCA member providers, championing effective models of care and influencing Government policies impacting on their communities and funding viability. Muriel is a consumer representative on the Health Quality & Safety Commission Consumer Council. In December 2017, Muriel was appointed to the Ministerial Health Advisory Group for a two-year term.

Dougal Thorburn Board Member 2022

Board Member

Dougal Thorburn

Ko Tainui te waka, Ko Waikato me tangata o Te Tiriti ōku iwi. Ko Dougal Thorburn tōku ingoa. 

I am General Practitioner (FRNZCGP) and Public Health Medicine Specialist (FNZCPHM).  I am focused on Māori wellbeing and supporting healing within the communities I am accountable to.  I grew up around the hills of Te Waipounamu and completed much of my training at Otago University (MBChB, DPH, MPH).   In my GP and Public Health roles, I feel privileged to haved worked alongside Ngati Porou Hauora;  Māori Health Workforce Development Unit University of Otago;  Public Health South;  Hutt Union Community Health Services and Ora Toa Health Services. As a recent Clinical Director for Population Health for Te Awakairangi Health Network, I currently work part-time as a GP at Ora Toa Health Services, and Public Health Medicine Specialist at the National Screening Unit, Te Whatu Ora. 

David-Young

Board Member

Dr David Young

A Hutt Valley resident for 55 years, David attended Waterloo, Hutt Intermediate and Hutt Valley High Schools. He graduated from Otago Medical School in 1977 and worked as a House Officer at Wellington and Hutt Hospitals before becoming a partner at Naenae Medical Centre where he practiced for over 30 years. More recently, he has worked part-time as a GP and as Clinical Director of Community Health Services Group at the Hutt Valley DHB. David has held several positions on local GP organisations and been a Trustee on Hutt PHOs and Clinical Governance Committees. Currently, he is also a Director of the Hutt Valley After Hours Centre.

Dr Michael Haymes

Board Member

Dr Michael Haymes

Michael is a GP and Owner at Naenae Medical Centre.

Board Au Like 2

Board Member

Reverend Vaega’au (Au) Liko

Reverend Liko is the chair of Pacific Health Service Hutt Valley Incorporated and is the current Church Minister of the Congregational Church of Samoan Upper Hutt Parish. He has a wealth of experience in management and government agencies where he worked prior to entering Malua Theological College.

Board member Jon Herries photo

Board Member

Jon Herries

Jon is currently the General Manager of the Emerging Health Technology group at Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ) where he works  with the health sector, industry and researchers to bring new technology to healthcare services. Jon has previously worked in Ireland as a Healthcare and Technology consultant for Ernst & Young. Prior to that role, he established the Alliance Leadership Team and programme for CCDHB. Jon originally trained and practiced as a Physiotherapist and holds a post-graduate diploma in Health Management

Our Board of Trustees

Board Joe - page 3
Board Peggy - page 3
Board Muriel - page 3
Dougal Thorburn

Chair

Muhammad Naseem (Joe) Asghar

Originally trained as a pharmacist, Joe followed a career mainly in hospital practice gaining experience across a range of clinical disciplines. During this time he also worked in community practice. Subsequent steps saw Joe move to management positions, initially in local health services to eventually a role with the UK Department of Health. On moving to New Zealand, he initially worked in health, with a subsequent move into science and science policy. He has recently taken up the role of Chief Executive of Presbyterian Support Central. Joe completed his undergraduate degree and Masters in Science at Strathclyde University and his MBA at Durham. He has Fellowships of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (UK), the Faculty of Public Health (UK), the New Zealand College of Pharmacists and is a Chartered member of the Institute of Directors. He currently chairs the Board of Te Awakairangi Health Trust.

Board Member

Peggy Luke-Ngaheke

Peggy is a mother of three and grandmother of three beautiful Mokopuna. She has lived in the Hutt Valley all of her life. Peggy is very passionate about better health in the Hutt Valley for all whanau. She trained as a Counsellor and AOD Clinician and has worked for the Hutt Valley DHB. Peggy worked in community mental health for six years. She is currently a Runanga Trustee for Te Atiawa and presently manages the Marae at Waiwhetu. She also has a background of 36 years in Kohanga Reo and is very passionate about great health for all Mokopuna.

Board Member

Muriel Tunoho

Muriel is a long-time Hutt Valley resident, and has served on the Board of Te Awakairangi Health Network since its inception. She is an active Board member of the Health Care Aotearoa Network and this keeps her in touch with HCA member providers, championing effective models of care and influencing Government policies impacting on their communities and funding viability. Muriel is a consumer representative on the Health Quality & Safety Commission Consumer Council. In December 2017, Muriel was appointed to the Ministerial Health Advisory Group for a two-year term.

Board Member

Dougal Thorburn

Ko Tainui te waka, Ko Waikato me tangata o Te Tiriti ōku iwi. Ko Dougal Thorburn tōku ingoa. 

I am General Practitioner (FRNZCGP) and Public Health Medicine Specialist (FNZCPHM).  I am focused on Māori wellbeing and supporting healing within the communities I am accountable to.  I grew up around the hills of Te Waipounamu and completed much of my training at Otago University (MBChB, DPH, MPH).   In my GP and Public Health roles, I feel privileged to haved worked alongside Ngati Porou Hauora;  Māori Health Workforce Development Unit University of Otago;  Public Health South;  Hutt Union Community Health Services and Ora Toa Health Services. As a recent Clinical Director for Population Health for Te Awakairangi Health Network, I currently work part-time as a GP at Ora Toa Health Services, and Public Health Medicine Specialist at the National Screening Unit, Te Whatu Ora. 

Board David - page 3
Dr Michael Haymes
Rev Au reduced
Board member Jon Herries photo v2

Board Member

Dr David Young

A Hutt Valley resident for 55 years, David attended Waterloo, Hutt Intermediate and Hutt Valley High Schools. He graduated from Otago Medical School in 1977 and worked as a House Officer at Wellington and Hutt Hospitals before becoming a partner at Naenae Medical Centre where he practiced for over 30 years. More recently, he has worked part-time as a GP and as Clinical Director of Community Health Services Group at the Hutt Valley DHB. David has held several positions on local GP organisations and been a Trustee on Hutt PHOs and Clinical Governance Committees. Currently, he is also a Director of the Hutt Valley After Hours Centre.

Board Member

Dr Michael Haymes

Michael is a GP and Owner at Naenae Medical Centre.

Board Member

Rev Vaega’au (Au) Liko

Reverend Liko is the chair of Pacific Health Service Hutt Valley and is the current Church Minister of the Congregational Church of Samoan Upper Hutt Parish. He has a wealth of experience in management and government agencies where he worked prior to entering Malua Theological College. Rev Au Liko is a very active member of the Samoan community in the Hutt Valley.

Board Member

Jon Herries

Jon is currently the General Manager of the Emerging Health Technology group at Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ) where he works  with the health sector, industry and researchers to bring new technology to healthcare services. Jon has previously worked in Ireland as a Healthcare and Technology consultant for Ernst & Young. Prior to that role, he established the Alliance Leadership Team and programme for CCDHB. Jon originally trained and practiced as a Physiotherapist and holds a post-graduate diploma in Health Management.

Our Executive Team

Bridget

Chief Executive

Bridget Allan

Bridget has a diverse background in the health sector, having worked in research, planning, operational and strategic management, project management and governance, across both the public sector and the third sector (NGOs). Her commitment to primary care began with her first exposure to the Alma Ata declaration. It was strengthened when she was Chief Executive for Hauora Hokianga, an innovative integrated primary care organisation serving a rural, predominantly Māori population in the Far North during the 1990s and continues now in her role at Te Awakairangi Health Network. She thoroughly enjoys the challenges of building an equitable and effective primary care sector in the Hutt Valley, working with so many skilled and passionate people, partners and organisations, to create improved health and wellbeing outcomes across our communities.

Bobby Bryan 2023 v3

Kaiwhakahaere Māori – General Manager, Māori Health and Population Health

Bobby Bryan

Ko Hikurangi te maunga. Ko Waiapu te awa. Ko Ngati Porou te iwi.

Bobby is very proud to have been born and raised in Wainuiomata, where he once again lives. He started his career as a Social Worker, working in the Hutt Valley. His career has spanned health and social service agencies across the country, in Government agencies and NGOs.  He has been the General Manager of Vibe (Hutt Valley Youth Health Trust), and the Raukawa Iwi in Tokoroa.

Bobby’s passion is the application of Te Tiriti based thinking, and addressing of inequity, in social services and health.  Two of his favourite sayings are; “none of us are as smart as all of us”, and “if it is not mana enhancing, you are doing it wrong”.

Irma Harris

General Manager, Finance and Corporate Services

Irma Harris

Irma has been working in primary health care management for the Hutt Valley for more than 15 years. Irma has oversight of Finance, Human Resources, Information Systems, Corporate Services and all operational aspects of Te Awakairangi Health Network.

Rod Bartling Aug 2022 cropped 2

General Manager, Programmes and Practice Development

General Manager

Rod and the PPD team support general practice teams and other providers in the Network in their provision of good quality, integrated and equitable primary care. Our work has a strong focus on quality improvement and innovation, reviewing health services/systems to achieve maximum outcomes for the enrolled population. Prior to working at the Network, Rod was a Senior Manager at Hutt Valley DHB and prior to that held Senior Management roles in the Ministry of Health, Inland Revenue and Social Development.

Carrie

General Manager, Services

Carrie Henderson

Carrie has worked in several roles in secondary care within the Hutt Valley. Carrie began her career as an Occupational Therapist in Scotland before emigrating to New Zealand. Carrie has experience leading in operational management, strategic leadership and leading through change. Her work has a focus on innovation and developing alternative models of service delivery.

Scott Fisher Digital Services v2

General Manager, Data and Digital

Scott Fisher

Scott (Ngāti Whawhakia, Ngāti Tahu/Ngāti Whaoa) has previously filled IT leadership roles in both the public and private sector. He has over 20 years experience in information technology and is passionate about developing a positive team culture, building strong relationships and collaborating with all parties to deliver outcomes for the organisations he works for.

Blank Person

Manager, Population Health

Vacancy

This role is currently vacant.

Our Executive Team

Bridget
Bobby Bryan 2023 v3
Irma Harris

Chief Executive

Bridget Allan

Bridget has a diverse background in the health sector, having worked in research, planning, operational and strategic management, project management and governance, across both the public sector and the third sector (NGOs). Her commitment to primary care began with her first exposure to the Alma Ata declaration. It was strengthened when she was Chief Executive for Hauora Hokianga, an innovative integrated primary care organisation serving a rural, predominantly Māori population in the Far North during the 1990s and continues now in her role at Te Awakairangi Health Network. She thoroughly enjoys the challenges of building an equitable and effective primary care sector in the Hutt Valley, working with so many skilled and passionate people, partners and organisations, to create improved health and wellbeing outcomes across our communities.

Kaiwhakahaere Māori – General Manager, Māori Health and Population Health

Bobby Bryan

Ko Hikurangi te maunga. Ko Waiapu te awa. Ko Ngati Porou te iwi.

Bobby is very proud to have been born and raised in Wainuiomata, where he once again lives. He started his career as a Social Worker, working in the Hutt Valley. His career has spanned health and social service agencies across the country, in Government agencies and NGOs.  He has been the General Manager of Vibe (Hutt Valley Youth Health Trust), and the Raukawa Iwi in Tokoroa.

Bobby’s passion is the application of Te Tiriti based thinking, and addressing of inequity, in social services and health.  Two of his favourite sayings are; “none of us are as smart as all of us”, and “if it is not mana enhancing, you are doing it wrong”.

General Manager, Finance and Corporate Services

Irma Harris

Irma has been working in primary health care management for the Hutt Valley for more than 15 years. Irma has oversight of Finance, Human Resources, Information Systems, Corporate Services and all operational aspects of Te Awakairangi Health Network.

Rod Bartling Aug 2022 cropped 2
Carrie
Scott Fisher Digital Services v2

General Manager, Programmes and Practice Development

General Manager

Rod and the PPD team support general practice teams and other providers in the Network in their provision of good quality, integrated and equitable primary care. Our work has a strong focus on quality improvement and innovation, reviewing health services/systems to achieve maximum outcomes for the enrolled population. Prior to working at the Network, Rod was a Senior Manager at Hutt Valley DHB and prior to that held Senior Management roles in the Ministry of Health, Inland Revenue and Social Development.

General Manager, Services

Carrie Henderson

Carrie has worked in several roles in secondary care within the Hutt Valley. Carrie began her career as an Occupational Therapist in Scotland before emigrating to New Zealand. Carrie has experience leading in operational management, strategic leadership and leading through change. Her work has a focus on innovation and developing alternative models of service delivery.

General Manager, Data and Digital

Scott Fisher

Scott (Ngāti Whawhakia, Ngāti Tahu/Ngāti Whaoa) has previously filled IT leadership roles in both the public and private sector. He has over 20 years experience in information technology and is passionate about developing a positive team culture, building strong relationships and collaborating with all parties to deliver outcomes for the organisations he works for.

Our Governance Groups

The Clinical Governance Committee (CGC) is a clinical advisory committee of the Board, providing clinical leadership, direction and advice about Te Awakairangi Health Network’s clinical programmes. It includes health practitioners and management from Te Awakairangi Health Network general practices and partner organisations.

The Finance, Risk and Audit Committee is an advisory committee of the Board, assisting the Board by ensuring the integrity of the organisation’s financial and accounting systems and financial reporting (both internally to the Board and externally to stakeholders); audits and internal controls; business planning; and regulatory compliance and risk management systems.

The Data Governance Group (DGG) is an advisory committee of the Board, advising on how the Network should meet its responsibilities as custodians of data provided by general practices, the DHB, and community providers, with the purpose of improving health and wellbeing of the people of the Hutt Valley through its use. The group advises on all aspects of data collection, use and management at a strategic level to:
  • facilitate appropriate analysis of practice and patient data to increase patient safety and greater effectiveness in how care is delivered; and  
  • protect the rights and interests of the people and their whānau in relation to their data.
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