CDHB Who's Who - Profiles

WHO's WHO

Canterbury District Health Board Members

The Board has up to 11 members of whom are elected and are appointed by the Minister of Health by notice in the Gazette for terms of up to three years. DHB Board members are accountable to the Minister of Health, (through the Chairperson of the Board) for the performance of the DHB.

Board Members

Alister James - Chair (Appointed)

Alister served 20 years as a Christchurch City Councillor and is a lawyer with a particular interest in adolescent health, mental health, alcohol and drug treatment services. He is keen to improve DHB and community relations.

Olive Webb - Deputy Chair (Elected)

Olive is a Clinical Psychologist and independent Health and Disability Consultant with more than 35 years experience. She has served on the Board for seven years and is committed to rural health issues and delivery.

Peter Ballantyne (Appointed)

Peter is a Chair of Canterbury DHB's Quality, Finance, Audit and Risk Committee and is a Chartered Accountant. Formerly a partner in Deloitte he now acts in a consultancy role. He has experience in the aged care sector and has financial accounting and auditing experience.

Eleanor Carter (Elected)

Eleanor is an advocate for patient needs. Previously a Health Cuts Hurt spokesperson, Eleanor believes that health services should be funded according to community need in a transparent and effective manner.

Anna Crighton (Elected)

Anna Crighton served 12 years as a Christchurch City Councillor. Anna is committed to the CDHB continually improving its health care and services especially Aged Care Services, elective surgery and for the CDHB to work closely with GPs. As an advocate for stronger communities she believes the CDHB must be fully accountable and transparent to its patients and Canterbury residents. She is a member of the Community and Public Health and Disability Support Committee.

Andrew Dickerson (Elected)

Andrew has 25 years experience in the health and disability sectors and is a former Chief Executive of Age Concern Canterbury. He would like to see improved access to elective surgery and better integration of hospital and GP services. Andrew believes the results of rest home audits should be made public and is committed to improving accountability and transparency in the health service.

Matea Gillies (Appointed)

Matea has been a GP for 30 years. He is of Ngai Tahu descent and Chairperson of the Ngai Tahu Runanga Health collective - Manawhenua ki Waitaha. He believes primary and secondary health services need to work together more efficiently.

Jo Kane (Elected)
Jo Kane

In her second term on the Board, Jo is keen to follow through on community focused health initiatives. Jo believes early intervention and healthy lifestyle choices will assist our health system.

David Morrell (Elected)

David Morrell has had 8 years on the District Health Board, was a hospital chaplain, and had 22 years as Christchurch City Missioner where he established new services for people with alcohol, drug and mental health issues.
He is committed to quality services accessible for all. He is a member of the CDHB Quality, Finance, Audit and Risk Committee and Chair of its Hospital Advisory Committee and its Brackenridge Estate.

Chris Ryan (Elected)

An Ashburton GP for 20 years, Chris has been Chair of the Ashburton District Health Committee, GP representative Rural Canterbury PHO Board, Secretary of the Canterbury Faculty of the Royal NZ College of GPs and a GP education facilitator. Chris believes health professionals need to be involved in decision making, and money should be spent on effective projects.

Elizabeth Cunningham (Appointed)

Elizabeth Cunningham, who is of Ngai Tahu and Ngati Mutunga descent, is a research manager (Maori) at the University of Otago, Christchurch School of Medicine
She has worked at all levels of the health sector, including as a health professional; a service manager; and as an advisor to Ministers of Health on Maori health issues. She is also a longstanding member of the Maori Women’s Welfare League.
Elizabeth is a member of the Finance Audit and Risk committee as well as a member on the CDHB Hospital Advisory committee.

Board Members
Alister James - Chair (Appointed)
Alister served 20 years as a Christchurch City Councillor and is a lawyer with a particular interest in adolescent health, mental health, alcohol and drug treatment services. He is keen to improve DHB and community relations.
Olive Webb - Deputy Chair (Elected)
Olive is a Clinical Psychologist and independent Health and Disability Consultant with more than 35 years experience. She has served on the Board for seven years and is committed to rural health issues and delivery.
Peter Ballantyne (Appointed)
Peter is a Chair of Canterbury DHB's Quality, Finance, Audit and Risk Committee and is a Chartered Accountant. Formerly a partner in Deloitte he now acts in a consultancy role. He has experience in the aged care sector and has financial accounting and auditing experience.
Eleanor Carter (Elected)
Eleanor is an advocate for patient needs. Previously a Health Cuts Hurt spokesperson, Eleanor believes that health services should be funded according to community need in a transparent and effective manner.
Anna Crighton (Elected)
Anna Crighton served 12 years as a Christchurch City Councillor. Anna is committed to the CDHB continually improving its health care and services especially Aged Care Services, elective surgery and for the CDHB to work closely with GPs. As an advocate for stronger communities she believes the CDHB must be fully accountable and transparent to its patients and Canterbury residents. She is a member of the Community and Public Health and Disability Support Committee.
Andrew Dickerson (Elected)
Andrew has 25 years experience in the health and disability sectors and is a former Chief Executive of Age Concern Canterbury. He would like to see improved access to elective surgery and better integration of hospital and GP services. Andrew believes the results of rest home audits should be made public and is committed to improving accountability and transparency in the health service.
Matea Gillies (Appointed)
Matea has been a GP for 30 years. He is of Ngai Tahu descent and Chairperson of the Ngai Tahu Runanga Health collective - Manawhenua ki Waitaha. He believes primary and secondary health services need to work together more efficiently.
Jo Kane (Elected)
In her second term on the Board, Jo is keen to follow through on community focused health initiatives. Jo believes early intervention and healthy lifestyle choices will assist our health system.
David Morrell (Elected)
David Morrell has had 8 years on the District Health Board, was a hospital chaplain, and had 22 years as Christchurch City Missioner where he established new services for people with alcohol, drug and mental health issues. He is committed to quality services accessible for all. He is a member of the CDHB Quality, Finance, Audit and Risk Committee and Chair of its Hospital Advisory Committee and its Brackenridge Estate.
Chris Ryan (Elected)
An Ashburton GP for 20 years, Chris has been Chair of the Ashburton District Health Committee, GP representative Rural Canterbury PHO Board, Secretary of the Canterbury Faculty of the Royal NZ College of GPs and a GP education facilitator. Chris believes health professionals need to be involved in decision making, and money should be spent on effective projects.
Elizabeth Cunningham (Appointed)
Elizabeth Cunningham, who is of Ngai Tahu and Ngati Mutunga descent, is a research manager (Maori) at the University of Otago, Christchurch School of Medicine She has worked at all levels of the health sector, including as a health professional; a service manager; and as an advisor to Ministers of Health on Maori health issues. She is also a longstanding member of the Maori Women’s Welfare League. Elizabeth is a member of the Finance Audit and Risk committee as well as a member on the CDHB Hospital Advisory committee.