There is still a spare seat at the Southern District Health Board table, but Health Minister Tony Ryall's office says it is "definitely not" because nobody is willing to do the job.
Mr Ryall announced more health sector appointments yesterday, leaving the Southern vacancy the only district health board position still to be filled.
Each board has four ministerial appointees and seven elected members.
The minister also appoints the chairman and the deputy, although sometimes such appointments are also elected members.
In Southern's case, Timaru chairman Joe Butterfield is an appointee, but deputy Paul Menzies, from Southland, was elected.
Mr Ryall's office said it was now unlikely the vacancy would be filled before next year, as Mr Ryall is officially on holiday.
The spokesman was not able to say how far the process had gone, but said there were plenty of candidates.
The board does not meet again until early February.
Yesterday, it was announced Gay Shirley has been appointed to the Waikato District Health Board, replacing Gordon Chesterman, who resigned shortly after the recent elections.
Mr Ryall acknowledged Mr Chesterman's service and wished him well in his new role as Hamilton's deputy mayor.
Jamie Simpson, of Christchurch, has been appointed to the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand (Alac) and Anne Hobby has been reappointed.
Alastair Scott and Pip Dunphy have been reappointed to the Crown Health Financing Agency (CHFA).
Mr Scott has been appointed chairman, replacing John Anderson.
Ingrid Collins, of Gisborne, and Murray Burns, of Carterton, have been appointed to the CHFA.
Dr Peter Foley has been appointed deputy chairman of the Health Quality and Safety Commission.
