Dr Nicholas Jones. Photo: RNZ / Anusha Bradley
The senior official with oversight of the country's public health services has stepped down amid ongoing restructuring of the wider public health sector.
The Ministry of Health has confirmed to RNZ that the Director of Public Health, Dr Nicholas Jones, will finish up in the role on 28 February.
Deputy-Director General Dr Andrew Old, who heads the Public Health Agency, said Jones started a two-year secondment in August 2022, moving from his substantial role as Clinical Director and Medical Officer of Health for Hawke's Bay.
He agreed to stay another six months in August 2024, and will return to his job in Hawke's Bay at the end of his secondment.
"I personally want to acknowledge his achievement while with the Agency and thank him for supporting our ongoing work to help New Zealanders live longer lives in good health," Old said.
"We are now actively recruiting for his replacement."
The Director of Public Health is a statutory role providing public health leadership across the Public Health Agency, within the Ministry of Health, and the National Public Health Service within Health NZ.
Sweeping cuts to the National Public Health Service were announced in November, with about 60 jobs set to go on top of 300 vacant roles disestablished.
The resignation comes days after Health NZ chief Margie Apa resigned before the end of her contract.
