Medicines New Zealand Is Pleased To Announce A New Independent Chair And A Te Ao Māori Director

Medicines New Zealand welcomes two new Board members in
2023. The first of these is the appointment of Dr Peter
Jansen (Ngati Hinerangi, Ngati Raukawa) as Independent Chair
of the Board. Dr Jansen has extensive experience in
leadership and governance across the New Zealand healthcare
system and has also worked in senior pharmaceutical
leadership roles both in Aotearoa New Zealand and
Australia.

Dr Jansen intends to build on outgoing
Chairman Dr Lee Mathias’s focus and efforts to work
collaboratively with public and private entities to ensure
all New Zealanders realise the benefits of modern medicines.
He supports value-based approaches to improving wellness and
health outcomes, focusing on achieving health equity for
Māori.

Vanessa Eparaima (Raukawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa,
Waikato, Te Arawa) has joined the Medicines New Zealand
Board as Te Ao Māori Director. She is committed to enabling
consistent improvement across the spectrum of holistic
well-being for all people of Aotearoa New Zealand and in
particular Māori. Vanessa has experience in governance and
leadership across various sectors, including health, social
services, environment, education, tourism, and Māori and
Iwi economic development.

Medicines New Zealand
Vice-Chair, Alexander Muelhaupt says “The Board is very
excited to welcome both Peter and Vanessa to their
respective roles, they bring a deep passion for the impact
innovative medicines can make for patients, and both are
well connected in the NZ health sector to advance our
collaboration and partnerships
further.”

“Medicines New Zealand Board members
thank Dr Mathias for her excellent work over the last five
years, which has led to many positive collaborative outcomes
with the industry in Aotearoa New Zealand, as evidenced by
the procurement and delivery of the novel COVID-19 vaccines
and medicines during the pandemic. We all wish her well in
the
future.”

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