Announcing her appointment, board chairman Dr Conway Powell said she had extensive knowledge of Maori health providers in the region and her background in health sector planning would complement the expertise of the other eight appointees.
Ms Matahaere-Atariki's background is in Maori development and her work has included teaching at the University of Otago and as policy director with Government ministry Te Puni Kokiri.
She has had a leadership role with Arai Te Uru Whara Hauora since it was established in the 1990s, chairing its trust until 2008.
She has held national positions in several areas, including as a member of Te Wero, the New Zealand Council of Legal Education, and a national committee for the study of the New Zealand non-profit sector.
The transition board was formed in late November to set up the new organisation.
It has already met three times and will continue its work early in the new year with its first meeting in mid-January.
The new PHO is expected to be established by July and at that stage the transition board will hand over to a new governance board.
