Executive leadership team

Professor Sunny Collings joined the Commission in August 2025.

Her previous roles include Chief Executive of the Health Research Council of New Zealand and Dean and Head of Campus at the University of Otago.

She is a Professor of Psychiatry, with a long-standing focus on public and mental health, and how research can contribute to better health outcomes.

With more than 25 years of clinical and research experience, Professor Collings has been an advocate for improving health outcomes, particularly for communities underserved by the system.

She has a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree, a PhD and a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health, from the University of Otago, and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.

Kere (Ngāti Toarangatira, Ngāti Mūtunga, Ngāti Rongomaiwahine) leads a team that focuses on turning data, information and insights into opportunities for impact and how to measure these impacts. The organisation’s strategic support and accountability functions are also a part of Kere’s team.

Kere has worked in health for over thirty years. She began her nursing career in Porirua, before completing her midwifery training, working as an lead maternity carer midwife in the rohe of Ngāti Toa. 

Kere moved into central government roles developing Kaupapa māori services and policy approaches in health and whānau ora. More recently she managed mortality review at Te Tāhū Hauora.

Kere holds a Diploma in Nursing and a Diploma in Midwifery.

Bevan’s responsibilities include oversight of our financial and digital functions including managing financial systems, policies and internal controls, information, communications technology and procurement. 

With extensive experience in financial management and senior leadership roles in the health sector. Bevan has been with the Commission since 2011. For a period in 2023 Bevan was the Acting Chief Executive.

Bevan has a Bachelor of Commerce and Management from Lincoln University with Financial Accounting including Business Management and Corporate Finance. 

Martin's portfolio covers system safety, improved service delivery, trauma, infection prevention and control and mental health and addictions programmes. Martin has been with Te Tāhū Hauora since 2021.

Trained as an anaesthetist in the UK, he moved to Lakes District Health Board to take up a specialist role in 2002.  Prior to joining Te Tāhū Hauora he held various clinical leadership roles during his time at Lakes and was chief medical officer for eight years.  In 2019, Martin was seconded to Ministry of Health to develop a credentialing framework for female pelvic floor reconstructive surgery.

Martin is a strong advocate for clinical leadership with a particular focus on the systems that underpin effective clinical governance.  He has an MBA from the University of Waikato and is currently studying to become an Associate Fellow of the College of Medical Administrators.

Richard leads the team responsible for all aspects of our measurement of the quality of New Zealand’s health care.

This includes the New Zealand Atlas of Healthcare Variation, measurement of the effects of national quality improvement programme, and design and implementation of national indicators of quality and value.

Prior to joining Te Tāhū Hauora, Richard worked for 20 years in and around the NHS in England, including as director of intelligence at the Care Quality Commission. He has also worked for the King’s Fund in London, and is a 2006–07 Harkness Fellow.

Carlton (Te Whakatōhea, Te Ūpokorehe) has a role centred on amplifying the voices of Māori and other underrepresented communities in healthcare, ensuring that equity, efficiency, and quality remain at the core of the organisation’s work.

With over 20 years of experience in the health sector, Carlton began his career as a paramedic before transitioning to healthcare leadership and medical practice. His leadership has been exemplified through roles such as Chief of Allied Health at Te Aka Whai Ora, and inaugural chair of Te Kaunihera Manapou (Paramedic Council) where he has been instrumental in driving initiatives focused on hauora Māori, rural health, and addressing health inequities.

Carlton holds a Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedic), a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science, and a Master of Health Practice. He has also undertaken a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB). Carlton has been made a member of St John in recognition of his commitment to Māori Health and Vulnerable Communities. 

Don is the Director of the Mortality Review Management Group. The purpose of mortality review is to prevent avoidable deaths. 37,000 people die in Aotearoa each year, and approximately 10,000 of these deaths are avoidable. The group Don manages takes its strategic direction from the National Mortality Review Committee and works with experts, including people with experience of profound loss, and uses data and the stories of those that have passed to prevent future avoidable deaths.

Don 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 systems in both Aotearoa and internationally, in primary care settings and public health. He has led regional approaches to reducing non-communicable diseases and has provided policy advice to the World Health Organization on Social Determinants of Health and Primary Health Care.

Don is a public health medicine specialist, a university professor, and an experienced senior public servant. Currently he serves on the ethics advisory committee of Ngāti Porou Oranga’s research arm and is on the technical advisory group of Whakauae Research’s Kia Puāwai project that is dedicated to generating new Māori knowledge to find new solutions to improve the health and wellbeing of all whānau Māori.

In her role Holly is responsible for working with our other executive leadership team members to shape and enhance the organisation's workforce strategy, drive a positive workplace culture, and ensure that our leaders and employees are equipped with the necessary skills and development opportunities to work towards our goal of a quality health system for all. 

 With almost 20 years’ experience working in the people, culture and capability space, Holly began in capability building and talent acquisition before developing into wider focus people, culture and capability roles. Holly is drawn to the field of health and has spent a good portion of her career in health-related not-for-profit organisations. 

Holly has a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Commerce and is a qualified mediator.