Suicide prevention expert Barry Taylor is "torn" to be leaving Wairarapa when four young people have died suddenly in the region since June.
Mr Taylor, who has worked for Wairarapa District Health Board for three years, said he leaves in a fortnight to head a national suicide prevention project runningout of Sydney.
Mr Taylor said his transtasman shift was untimely but unavoidable.
"It is an absolutely inopportune time to be leaving. I'm torn about it," he said.
Mr Taylor was appointed to the Wairarapa role in 2008.
He has since helped develop the Wairarapa Suicide Prevention Action Plan, trained staff in multiple Government and social agencies and helped organise a major mental health symposium, held in Masterton last year.
