Grant Berghan (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai, Te Rarawa) has announced his resignation as CEO of the Public Health Association of NZ. (PHANZ)
Grant who joined PHANZ as CEO in October 2020 said it was with regret that he was stepping down, as he had loved working for and with PHANZ during what had been a particularly busy time in our health sector.
“Not only have we contended with Covid-19, but we have been part of the most significant health reform process this country has seen in the past 30 years,” said Grant whose last day with PHANZ is on August 26.
“I realised that, as the health reforms became a reality on July 1st, 2022, the timing is perfect for me to relinquish the role to a new person, who can support the organisation with fresh energy and ideas in this new environment.
“I wish to thank you all for your support to me over the past two years. I particularly want to thank the Executive Council of the PHANZ, and the staff of our national office for their service and commitment to our work despite the challenges.
“Without you there is nothing. I have been threatening to semi-retire for several years now. This is the first step on that journey. I wish you all the very best for the future.
"Mauri ora ki a tatou katoa.”
PHANZ Executive Council co-presidents Gail Duncan and Nari Faiers thanked Grant for his service saying he had “brought vision and connected the PHANZ during the challenging times of Covid-19 lockdowns, and positioning of public health in terms of the Health and Disability Review and representation of Māori interests".
The co-presidents said Grant's first action as CEO was to embark on a national road trip from Kaitaia to Invercargill to meet face-to-face with PHANZ members across the branches and with graduates of a Māori leadership programme to seek feedback from PHANZ members on how PHANZ could be relevant in a post-Covid environment, and to understand public health issues in each town/city and generate interest and registration with PHANZ.
"He has ensured ongoing PHANZ office staffing; including policy advisors, project management, communications, and office management and engaged regularly with PHANZ branch chairs. Grant spoke at the World Health Promotion Conference in December 2021 and has co-hosted the CPAG Post Budget Breakfast events, most recently in May 2022," they said.
“He has led and developed an updated membership drive and Te Tiriti-focused communication plan. This year Grant led PHANZ into the new public health-shared service across Health New Zealand and the Māori Health Authority with expectation of improved outcomes for Māori, Pasifika and disabled people being the prime focus.
We wholeheartedly thank Grant for preparing and motivating the PHA to amplify public health influence across the whole of government and community and exploit the synergy that lies at the intersection of Māori health (hauroa aa iwi) and public health (hauroa aa iwi).”
