ORganisational Structure
The Commissioners
The Commission is governed by three Commissioners who report directly to the Minister of Health. One Commissioner is appointed Chair of the Commission. The current Commissioners are:
Peter McGeorge
Dr Peter McGeorge took on the role of Chair Commissioner in January 2008. He is a child, adolescent and general psychiatrist who has extensive experience in the development and delivery of mental health services in New Zealand and Australia
During the past 20 years he has been involved in national policy development, reviews of mental health services, and the establishment of systems of integrated community and hospital-based mental health care. He has previously held positions as Director of Mental Health Services in Auckland and Wellington, and has worked extensively as a consultant to various health boards, government departments and non-government organisations.
Dr McGeorge is a co-patron of the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, and he has been a board member and advisor to a number of other organisations, including the Youth Horizons Trust (NZ) for young people with Severe Conduct Disorders. He is a Life Member of the World Federation for Mental Health, and in 2004 he was made a Companion of the Queens Service Order for contributions to public service in New Zealand.
Ray Watson
Ray has wide leadership experience within the health sector, particularly mental health.
His iwi affiliations are Kai Tahu and Te Atiawa. Previously Chief Executive of the Ngai Tahu Development Corporation (2001-2005) and Chief Executive of Lakeland Health (1996-2000) in Rotorua and Taupo, Ray also held the roles of Manager Mental Health Services (1994-1996) and Director of Area Mental Health Services (1994-1997 with Lakeland Health. He was Acute Services Manager for Canterbury's Healthlink South Mental Health Services (1993-1994) and Manager Service Development of Otago's Mental Health Services (1992-1993).
His extensive clinical, professional and managerial experience in the mental health sector began as a psychiatric nurse in Dunedin and includes many leadership, strategic and innovation roles in the development of mental health services for people in New Zealand. He also has broad governance experience including community, health and social service boards, and his current role as Deputy Chair of the Meridian Energy Ltd Board.
Bice Awan
Bice Awan brings extensive leadership and governance experience to her role as a Commissioner. She is currently the Chief Executive of the Skylight Trust, an organisation that has led the way in providing support for children facing all kinds of change, loss and grief, and she has more than 30 years of involvement in the public, private and consulting sectors in the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand. She has also worked extensively in the health and disability sector, including time as the Director of Rehabilitation for a 2500-bed teaching hospital in Canada.
Our Staff
Carin Posthuma
Carin is our Accountant.
Christine Frewing
Christine is our Receptionist.
Debbie Peterson
Debbie is our Research Advisor.
Gabrielle Huria
Gabrielle is our Communications Advisor.
Jane Dugdale
Jane is one of our Clinical Advisors.
Kaye Carncross
Kaye is one of our Clinical Advisors.
Keith Hartley
Keith is our Sector Engagement and Financial Advisor.
Liz Tomescu
Liz is our Project and Communications Coordinator.
Lynn Evans
Lynn is our Administration Assistant.
Natalie Coynash
Natalie is one of our Clinical Advisors.
Saasha Everiss
Saasha is the Personal Assistant to the Commissioner's.
Sue Shotter
Sue is our Administration Manager.
Susan Cuthbert
Susan is our Legal Advisor.
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