Dr Nicholas Jones is the new director of public health

Dr Nicholas Jones has joined Health New Zealand as its new director of public health, succeeding Dr Caroline McElnay, who resigned in April 2022 after holding the role for nearly six years.

The director of public health is a key role, providing leadership across the Public Health Agency and the National Public Health Service within Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand), said the then outgoing director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield. “Dr Jones is very well-respected in the health sector and he brings considerable experience and knowledge with him.”

Dr Jones has worked in public health for more than 30 years, with his most recent role being clinical director and medical officer of health at Te Whatu Ora Te Matau a Māui, Hawke’s Bay (previously Hawke’s Bay District Health Board). He led the health response to the Havelock North campylobacter outbreak, co-chaired the Healthy Housing Coalition, provided leadership and expert advice on environmental health issues such as water regulation, and more recently was pivotal to Hawke’s Bay’s Covid-19 response. He was awarded a New Zealand Public Service Medal Award in November 2020.

Dr Bloomfield was replaced by new director general of health Professor Diana Sarfati in July.