Members of the board overseeing the transition to the new Otago-Southland primary health organisation are each being paid $1150 for meeting days.
If all nine members attend this would mean a cost of $10,350 per meeting day.
Otago and Southland district health boards' chief executive Brian Rousseau said review, travel time, preparation for board meetings and attendance was deemed to constitute a one-day claim.
Travel is also reimbursed at 60c a kilometre.
Mr Rousseau said the budget was still being finalised for board-related costs for the term of the board, which is expected to end mid-year.
The fees were set based on advice from the New Zealand Institute of Directors.
The nine board members, who are all paid at the same rate, are: Dr Conway Powell (chairman), Mark Crawford, Norman Elder, Prof Murray Tilyard, Stuart Heal, Dr Doug Hill, Kirsty Murrell-McMillan, Bernie McKone and Donna Matahaere-Atariki.
Mr Rousseau said he anticipated the board would meet once or twice a month, on average.
Last financial year meeting fees and travel allowances for 13 Otago District Health Board and advisory committee members totalled $314,000.
The Otago board chairman is entitled to an annual fee of $46,000, the deputy $28,750 and members $23,000 each.
Advisory committee members are paid $250 a meeting for a maximum of 10 meetings and the chairmen $312.50 a meeting.
Use of private cars is also reimbursed at 60c a kilometre.
The transition board is expected to hold a meeting for all chairmen and chief executives of the existing nine PHOs in Otago and Southland early next month, to report on progress.
The plan for one PHO was opposed by all of the existing PHOs, which would have preferred closer collaboration.
