​It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ken Douglas. Ken was one of New Zealand’s most well-known trade union leaders and served on a number of our Boards. He was special to many of our senior staff members, and he won’t be forgotten.

“While he will be well remembered for the high profile roles he played with the union movement, it is for his values and contribution at the board table that we will remember him. He always stuck up for the little guy, made sure our systems and processes were up to date and relevant and strongly supported the emphasis always being on quality in our services. He never hesitated to call out proposals that he disagreed with, but took it one step further by recommending what he saw as the sensible alternative.”
Rt Hon Wyatt Creech, Chairperson, New Zealand Health Group

“I had the absolute pleasure of working alongside Ken as a fellow director of HealthCare NZ before being appointed to the Group Chief Executive position for New Zealand Health Group. Ken continued to be a board member of New Zealand Health Group and was a tower of strength and support to me in those early days of being the Group Chief Executive. Ken was insightful, fun and just a wonderful person to get to know.  Always willing to provide help or support at any time and most importantly totally dedicated to our workforce and the people we support in the community. He will be very much missed by New Zealand Health Group and HeathCare NZ. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time”
Josephine Gagan, Managing Director, New Zealand Health Group

Kia kaha Ken – you will be missed.