Dr Caroline McElnay was Director of Public Health for New Zealand during the Covid-19 pandemic, and during it gave regular public health briefings (like this one from 2022), alongside politicians or other health figures. Photo: Pool / NZME
The announcement top public health official Dr Caroline McElnay has been poached by Australia has taken colleagues by surprise at the National Public Health Service.
The Victorian State Government has appointed her its new Chief Health Officer.
McElnay was one of the prominent public faces frequently seen in updates given through the Covid-19 pandemic. The former Director of Public Health for New Zealand, Dr McElnay had started a new role, as Clinical Lead Immunisation at the NPHS in December, on 2 December 2024.
Immunisation staff told RNZ they first learned of her impending departure though a public statement by the Victorian State Government.
National Public Health Service (NPHS) Director of Prevention Alana Ewe-Snow said the management team was aware of her resignation prior to the announcement in Australia.
"Caroline has made an outstanding impact in her time with NPHS," Ewe-Snow said.
"We wish her all the very best in her new role, starting in August 2025, as Victoria's Chief Health Officer"
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