Health New Zealand is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Dale Bramley as Chief Executive Officer, effective 14 July 2025.

Health NZ Commissioner Lester Levy said Dr Bramley brings deep knowledge of the health system gained from more than two decades as a senior health and operational leader.

He has been interim Chief Executive since February 2025 and was most recently National Director of Planning, Funding and Outcomes, a position in the Executive Leadership Team.

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Before that, Dr Bramley was the Chief Executive of Waitematā DHB for more than 10 years. He has held several senior roles across the health system, including serving as Chair of New Zealand’s Health Quality & Safety Commission and as a member of the national health committee and national ethics committee.

He is a published scholar, an MBA graduate of the Henley Business School, and the recipient of several awards, including the Harkness international fellowship in Health Policy by the Commonwealth Fund (USA).

In addition, he is a medically qualified, practising public health medicine specialist.

Professor Levy said Dr Bramley’s expertise in driving performance and clinical quality aligns strongly with Health NZ’s strategic objectives. This is critical to deliver on the Government’s health and mental health & addiction targets.

“Dale has led a large DHB, hospitals, maternity services, mental health services, community and national services. He is widely respected across the health care system as both a senior clinician and senior executive.

“His breadth of leadership experience, insights and expertise stand him in good stead to drive Health NZ’s ongoing improvement as a high performing organisation that is focused on delivery, outcomes and enhancing patient experience.”

Dr Bramley said: “Being able to serve our wider community and to be able to focus on improving health outcomes for all New Zealanders will be an absolute priority for me.

“Our health system is blessed with incredibly skilled, highly trained, and compassionate people.

“Working with them, we will aim to improve access to health services, promote health, and focus on delivering the very highest quality healthcare we can for patients, whānau and communities.”

Dr Bramley will serve as Health NZ CE for the next three years.