Hawke's Bay Today is examining the election races in our region. TODAY: The battle for the District Health Board.
The candidates for the Hawke's Bay District Health Board fall roughly into two camps: the old and the new. The newbies are driving home the message for "new blood" and "fresh ideas". And members of the governance board, up for re-election, are highlighting their experience and looking forward to once again having a board as voted by the public.
The HBDHB has weathered the storm surrounding its controversial sacking by the Labour government in 2007 as well as bouncing back from running large, and worrying, deficits. Now, the HBDHB is back on track in terms of finances and the delivery of health services. But, as chief executive Kevin Snee says, there is still a long way to go.
Six of the seven elected members on the current governance board are gunning for another term.
Long-standing member and former chairman Kevin Atkinson was the first to throw his hat into the ring when elections opened last month. Peter Dunkerley, who had sat next to Mr Atkinson on the board for as nearly as many years, was not far behind.
Diana Kirton and David Davidson have also been on the board since 2001 and are hoping to continue the improvements made during the past couple of years.
Mrs Kirton signed up for a fourth term because the HBDHB's recent progress and positive direction meant "it was too exciting to leave".
Those sentiments were echoed by Mr Dunkerley, who said that despite the bleak events surrounding the previous board "there was light at the end of the tunnel. I would not want to miss this opportunity."
Mr Davidson too intimated there was a sense of unfinished business. "I think the people of Hawke's Bay supported us when [the board] was sacked. I think we owe it to those people to vindicate a proper board," he said.
The new candidates are looking for a point of difference in order to break the stronghold.
Lynlee Aitcheson, head of Telebell Outbound Communications, is using her personal experience to promote inclusion of women, Maori and people with disabilities in the health sector.
Tony East, describing himself as "a rural person", wants to ensure health services are available to those who are geographically distanced.
Candidates come from a diverse range of backgrounds, indicating the future board is likely to represent a cross-section of interests.
Mr Davidson and elected board members from 2007 Helen Francis and David Barry have each had decades of clinical experience. New candidate Kirsten Wise is drawing attention to her accounting background to herald her focus on effective financial governance.
Vincent Rasell is already familiar with public health, having 14 years' management experience. Honoria Ropiha is hoping her academic background in public health policy and field work in the health sector will help secure her a seat.
Ms Ropiha said she would bring a younger perspective, although at 39, she was not without life experience too.
Otto Mengedoht's career history includes working as a health practitioner and corporate executive.
The campaign trail has shown varied degrees of enthusiasm. Billboards have been erected by some, but not all, candidates. And only nine of the 14 candidates have uploaded profiles on the official elections 2010 website as of Friday.
Hillcrest Rest Home owner Jeanette Samundsen said she was "not really campaigning" because she did not see the HBDHB as a political appointment. She said if elected she would approach the position as a team player.
Philippa Ingram may also be an unfamiliar name. But the Chatham Island resident is not new to the race and, like Mrs Aitcheson, looked set to be appointed on the board in 2007 before it was disestablished by the government. Ms Ingram will be representing the 650 Chatham Islands residents in the constituency.
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