Mr Cull, who stood down after three terms as Dunedin’s mayor earlier this year, was yesterday named by Health Minister David Clark to head the new SDHB, after winning a seat at the table in October’s local body elections.
Mr Cull said yesterday he had "made no secret" of his desire for the role, and would now turn his attention to helping the board in "confronting the numerous challenges the DHB faces".
"Some of them are really positive challenges — preparing the southern health system for the new hospital is one of the bigger ones."
But so, too, was the board’s ballooning deficit, which now stood at more than $85million.
Mr Cull said he wanted to see the figure reduce, but the focus should be on the value of the services delivered, rather than just slashing costs.
"It’s about lifting the value so that whatever the cost is is well spent.
"Obviously, the deficit has got to be reduced ... but it was simply not just a matter of slashing spending.
"That’s the challenge."
It would also be "very appropriate" for the newly elected board to lobby for changes to DHBs’ funding model, once members had got to grips with their new roles, he said.
"I’m not prejudging whether we will, but it’s certainly not an inappropriate conversation to have, between the board and the minister."
Alongside Mr Cull would be deputy chairman David Perez, while Jean O’Callaghan, Tuari Potiki and Moana Theodore have also been appointed to the board.
Mr Perez and Jean O’Callaghan were both deputies in the team of commissioners, headed by Kathy Grant, who assumed governance responsibilities for the SDHB in 2015, when the board’s deficit was forecast to reach $27million.
On Monday, Mrs Grant will officially hand over the commissioners’ duties to the new board.
Dr Clark said the DHBs played a "vital role" in the delivery of healthcare, and it was "critical that they were well led, and well governed".
Mr Cull was "an experienced leader, and I am delighted he has agreed to take on the chair’s duties".
Dr Clark acknowledged the role played by Mrs Grant and her team since 2015, but also that the board faced challenges ahead.
Because of that, two crown monitors — former Medical Council chairman Andrew Connolly and former Auckland DHB chief financial officer Roger Jarrold — had been appointed to the SDHB as well.
They would be joined by the board’s elected members — John Chambers, Ilka Beekhuis, Lyndell Kelly, Lesley Soper, Terry King and Kaye Crowther.
Dr Clark said health board governance was "not an easy job" and required "leadership, focus, a strong skillset and a commitment to delivering high quality care".
Thirteen new DHB chairmen were named yesterday, including four Maori, which was a "significant changing of the guard".
A further 76 appointments were also announced, to complement elected board members, he said.
Related Stories
Comments
I am sorry but what the hell he is supposed to be in the job to fix the mess the has been caused be others and no will be made worse because all cull wanted was to once again climb the ladder So what a year down the track will the govt of the day remove them all and put in someone who will be overpaid cause more trouble remove more services and not give a damn whoops sorry we have that now all that money wasted already
Cull will always be remembered as a mayor who raised rates sky high with virtually no new services to Dunedinites, under-utilised cycle lanes resulting in traffic and parking chaos. In summary a failure. And he will 'fix' the SHDB? dream on... At least he enjoyed a number of trips to communist China on our dime.
And with that, Dunedin drivers lose any chance of their concerns being addressed by the SDHB.
Get used to more traffic congestion and fewer parks. Dave Cull has a proud history of ignoring these issues.
WOW! I'm sure everybody in Dunedin is surprised by that announcement. NOT! And here I am thinking that nepotism died a silent death here in Dunedin. I know for a fact that of everybody else on the board, Cull simply is the most qualified to be Chair. I mean, as mayor he's done wonderful things for the city...the bike lanes, Aurora Energy line maintenance, Citifleet Fraud Scandal, the $220 million debt, etc...I can certainly see why he is uniquely qualified to be the Chairman of the SDHB? In all of New Zealand this is the best we can do? Sad commentary! Why do the least qualified end up in positions of authority in Dunedin? Nepotism! Do you think Dunedin will see a new hospital in the future? More importantly, given the $220 million dollar debt the city finds itself in now, what are the chances the hospital will come in on time and under budget? Wake up people...participate in the electoral process and elect the best qualified. We need to save this city not continue to line the pockets of the same old people who do absolutely nothing!
Too funny. Clark said health board governance was "not an easy job" and required "leadership, focus, a strong skillset and a commitment to delivering high quality care". Cull lacks all of these things! Dunedin is drowning in debt because Cull lacked the leadership skills and business acumen to run the city. Two words that are rarely seen together are DCC and quality! I can only imagine how bad heathcare will be under his leadership!
First order of business, a junket with the rest of the board to China for consultation. I guess that could be good because he wouldn't have the opportunity to makes things worse. Why can't these people just sit there with their crayons and colour?
Let's not forget Mr Cull also double dips a state pension during these shananigans.....the man is raking it in!