The DHB said today it had appointed Mary Pecekajus as temporary manager.
General manager planning, funding and decision support Carolyn Gullery said Pecekajus was a registered nurse with expertise in aged residential care facility management.
"Mary has been appointed to lead and support improvements at the Kiwiannia Care Ltd aged residential care service to address some issues around care of residents and management of the facility."
Her role was to work with and assist the owner of Kiwiannia Care and the DHB as the funder of services, to understand the areas of good service quality and also to identify and act on the areas that required improvement, Gullery said.
The DHB would be monitoring and supporting this quality improvement process as required.
"Mary knows what is required to ensure quality care of frail elderly people in residential services. She understands ... what is needed to rectify the high-risk findings identified in the recent audit," Gullery said.
The DHB did not expect any changes to usual routines and visiting for residents and their families.
Jeff Peacock, whose mother has just been moved from Kowhai Manor to Granger House, said they had been assured Granger was okay but "two weeks later ..."
The West Coast DHB has installed temporary managers at Kowhai Manor and Granger House twice in the past two years, from September to November 2015, and from May to October last year.
In each case the temporary manager's role was to address specific breaches in the rest home's contract with the DHB.
Kiwiannia owner Anne Hook declined to comment today.
The DHB says residents or their families who have any concerns or questions can talk to project specialist, planning and funding Alison Young on 0800 778 226.
