The Ministry of Health formally acknowledges the passing of former Director-General of Health, Dame Karen Poutasi.
Dame Karen held senior roles in both Dunedin and Middlemore Hospitals before being appointed Chief Health Officer at the Department of Health (now the Ministry).
In that role she headed the vital work required to implement the recommendations of the Cartright Inquiry on cervical cancer.
Dame Karen served as Director-General of Health for 11 years, and was subsequently Chief Executive of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) for 14 years.
In 2019 she was seconded to serve as Commissioner of the Waikato District Health Board, before joining the Board of Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora, later becoming its Chair before resigning in 2024.
In her various roles, Dame Karen brought a wealth of public health expertise. She leaves a strong legacy of work to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders.
The Ministry extends its condolences to Dame Karen’s family and friends at this time.
