Alex Hickey
Clive man Tom Mulligan says he is "relaxed and privileged' about becoming the newest member of the Hawke's Bay District Health Board.
Health Minister Annette King announced his appointment yesterday as the board's second Maori representative.
The ex Hawke's Bay and New Zealand Rugby Union board member, of Ngati Porou descent,
is already on the board's advisory committee and is the chairman of Maori health group Te Taiwhenua O Heretaunga.
Mr Mulligan said he would try to use his time on the board to improve the region's health in general and of Maori in particular, who fared badly in most of the health statistics.
He wanted to encourage a "better understanding" between the board, the Maori community and other agencies such as Housing New Zealand to achieve that goal, he said.
The former Te Aute College pupil was also a kaumatua of Ngati Kahungunu, who "adopted" him despite coming from an East Coast iwi.
Some people in the health community were worried that the local iwi were not representative of all Maori in Hawke's Bay but he was "living proof" that they were, Mr Mulligan said.
Board chair Kevin Atkinson said he was delighted at Mr Mulligan's appointment as he had already made a "significant contribution" to the health of the region from his time on advisory committees and as a member of various Maori health groups.
The board now had their "full complement" of Maori members for the first time in more than two years, Mr Atkinson said. Many good candidates had put their name forward but he was happy that Mr Mulligan had been successful.
They had worked well together before on the board of the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union and he was looking forward to renewing their "personal and professional" relationship. His appointment would effective from next Monday, Mr Atkinson said.
