Office of the Chief Nurse

The role of Chief Nursing Officer

The Chief Nursing Officer leads the Office of the Chief Nursing Officer Business Unit within the Ministry of Health.

The Chief Nursing Officer is part of the Executive Leadership Team, reflecting the importance of clinical leadership in the health system.

The Chief Nursing Officer:

  • provides expert advice on nursing to Government and helps to develop, implement and evaluate Government health policy, leading on nursing policy and strategy in support of the Government's objectives
  • provides professional leadership to the nursing profession in New Zealand working closely with nurse leaders within the health sector, the professional statutory bodies, professional and staff associations and unions, DHB Chief Executives and managers, and the voluntary and independent sectors
  • ensures an effective New Zealand contribution to nursing and health policy in international fora, including the World Health Organisation, the Western Pacific Region, and close association with Australian colleagues through the ANZCCNMO (Australian and New Zealand Council of Chief Nurses and Midwifery Officers).

Lorraine Hetaraka: Chief Nursing Officer

Lorraine Hetaraka (Tapuika, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāiterangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Kahu) joined the Ministry on 15 March.

Lorraine has been the Chief Executive of Te Arawa Whānau Ora for the last year and has made a significant contribution to Māori and other high-needs populations’ wellbeing in the communities this organisation supports. 

Lorraine has a strong clinical and academic background in nursing leadership. She started her career as a registered nurse and then progressed into roles as a Nursing Leader and Nursing Director accountable for strategy, workforce planning, policy and primary health care delivery. This included working for the National Hauora Coalition and Procare Health and Homecare Medical. She was also joint Associate Director of Nursing: Māori at Auckland District Health Board and the University of Auckland for four years.

Brittany Jenkins: Clinical Chief Advisor – Nursing

Brittany joined the Chief Nurses Office in May 2023. Originally from Polson Montana, Brittany studied nursing at Massey University in Papaioea Palmerston North, graduating at the top of her class.

Brittany began her nursing career at the then West Coast DHB in Māwhera Greymouth where she would go on to hold a range of clinical and senior nursing roles - including critical care and medical nurse, Nurse Educator, Resuscitation Service Leader, Associate Director of Nursing, and Director of Nursing.

Following her time with the DHB, Brittany was invited to work as a consultant providing clinical governance insights within a Kaupapa Māori organisation before serving as the Director Professional Standards with the Nursing Council of New Zealand. Prior to joining the team at Manatū Hauora, Brittany also worked as a Senior Advisor in the Health Workforce Implementation Team at Te Whatu Ora, Health New Zealand.

Brittany's masters research explored the experiences of Filipino and Indian qualified registered nurses working in aged residential care in Aotearoa New Zealand, which was inspired by an academic internship with the Chief Nurses Office in 2013.

Pam Doole: Clinical Chief Advisor – Nursing

Pam Doole has held senior nursing leadership roles at the Ministry of Health, Nursing Council of New Zealand and Hutt Valley District Health Board.

Pam joined the Chief Nurses Office, Ministry of Health in 2020. Prior to this she worked for the Nursing Council in a variety of roles. Most recently she was Director of Strategic Programmes and advised the Council on its preparation of registered nurses to meet the health needs of all New Zealanders and the improvements to the registration process for internationally qualified nurses including using an evidence base for English language standards and assessment. Other projects included the Code of Conduct for nurses, the review of the enrolled nurses scope of practice and a framework for expand practice for registered nurses.

Before joining the Council she was Director of Nursing at Hutt Valley DHB and the professional development and recognition programme coordinator. She has also worked as a nurse in various clinical areas at Wellington Hospital. Pam has a Bachelor of Arts in history, a Diploma in Nursing and a Master’s in philosophy (Nursing) (with Distinction).

Ramai Haeata: Clinical Principal Advisor – Nursing

Ramai is an experienced registered nurse with a unique and extensive background in Māori health and primary health care. She has a BA in Māori and Indigenous Studies and Te Reo, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Health Sciences. She is currently completing her Masters of Health Science (Nursing Clinical). Ramai is of Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Ngāi Tahu, Te Whānau-a-Apanui and Ngāti Porou descent.

Ramai’s portfolio in particular will hold specific responsibility for advancing the Office’s Māori Workforce Development Plan.

Debra BeggDebra Begg: Senior Executive Assistant – Office of the Chief Nurse

Debra joined the Ministry of Health in September 2017. She comes to us from the private sector, where she worked in debt collection for 18 years. During her time there she worked in administration, recruitment, IT, and in the contact centre and as a team leader.

She brings experience gained through working with people from varied social and ethnic backgrounds and is skilled at defusing difficult situations.

  • provides expert advice on nursing to Government and helps to develop, implement and evaluate Government health policy, leading on nursing policy and strategy in support of the Government's objectives
  • provides professional leadership to the nursing profession in New Zealand working closely with nurse leaders within the health sector, the professional statutory bodies, professional and staff associations and unions, DHB Chief Executives and managers, and the voluntary and independent sectors
  • ensures an effective New Zealand contribution to nursing and health policy in international fora, including the World Health Organisation, the Western Pacific Region, and close association with Australian colleagues through the ANZCCNMO (Australian and New Zealand Council of Chief Nurses and Midwifery Officers).
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