Chris Fleming, chief executive of Southern District Heath Board (DHB) announced his resignation today.

He says he is stepping down to pursue new business opportunities with his family, and with finish with Southern DHB on 30 June. 

Fleming has worked in the health sector for 30 years, 15 of which were spent leading three different District Health Boards.

He says he has been considering the decision for some time. 

“For the past couple of years I have been considering future opportunities to purchase a business that I could work together with my wife and provide my son an opportunity to support him to secure his future.” 

“Despite the exciting future ahead in health, with the transition to Health New Zealand on 1 July, I have been contemplating the right move for me and my family, and I’ve decided that the time is right for me to do something completely different for now.”

“It is likely that I may become involved in the health system again in the future but for now will focus on establishing ourselves in the businesses we are acquiring. We will be relocating to the Waikato which is where I am originally from."

Fleming says it has been a privilege to have been entrusted with the role of Chief Executive for South Canterbury, Nelson Marlborough, and for the past six years, Southern DHB.

“We have made some great achievements in the southern health system, and there is plenty more to come under the new Health NZ banner, personally I am supportive of the intentions behind the reforms and believe it will strengthen the New Zealand Health System,” he said.

Southern DHB Chair Pete Hodgson said the board was grateful for Fleming’s efforts in leading the organisation.

“The Board learned today of Chris’ decision to draw his long career as a chief executive of several DHBs to a close. Our response has been to express our gratitude to him for his steadfast leadership of the Southern DHB, and to wish him well in the next passage of his life.” 

“Chris has led the DHB through both difficult and successful times. He has served under two separate boards and a set of Commissioners. He has led the significant improvement of the Board’s financial deficits, helped to resolve multiple clinical challenges, and has been deeply immersed in the New Dunedin Hospital project. Most recently he and all staff have been focussed on the challenge of Covid-19, including the successful rollout of the vaccination programme."

“Leading the Southern DHB is not for the faint-hearted. Its challenges have always been cultural, geographical, and financial,” says Hodgson.

The chief executive of Health New Zealand will determine the next steps in terms of leadership for Southern DHB staff as it transitions to Health NZ. 

No formal decisions have yet been made.