Don Matheson
Director, National Mortality Review – Executive Leadership Team | Te taumata whakahaereDon has had an extensive career in health and holds a deep interest in health systems, especially the role they play in addressing health inequities. He has led and managed change across health in both Aotearoa and internationally, in primary care settings, public health and integrated care. He is an experienced leader and adept at navigating stakeholder relationships.
As a public health medicine specialist, Don has provided policy advice to the World Health Organization’s Commission on Social Determinants of Health and was the New Zealand government’s lead policy advisor on public health from 2000 to 2008, when he was Deputy Director-General, Public Health at the Ministry of Health. During that period, alongside the Māori Health Directorate, he led the Ministry’s response to addressing health inequities.