Ana Apatu says "it's time" for her to serve on the Hawke's Bay District Health Board (HBDHB) thanks to a career straddling health and social work.
"I have had a passion for health many years and it just carries on," she said.
Originally a nurse she moved into public health "supporting wellness within communities".
"That passion has stayed with me over the years. I have carried national roles, senior roles and I also have a grassroots perspective."
She is chief executive of the U-Turn Trust, which supports the wellbeing of Flaxmere families and is based at Te Aranga Marae in Flaxmere. Her previous role was senior population health adviser for the HBDHB.