Leadership and advisory groups

Our Leadership Groups

Advisory Council

Role

The Advisory Council supports the leadership and ongoing direction of cancer control in Aotearoa. It helps ensure a whole-of-system focus by overseeing prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment and care. It also oversees system-wide prioritisation and coordination of cancer care in Aotearoa. It considers and provides advice on how to get the best value from existing cancer prevention and care investment. Members include clinical and non-clinical cancer leaders who are supported and advised by broad-based clinical and consumer reference groups.

Membership

Chair

Shelley Campbell / Dr Richard Sullivan

Members

• Shelley Campbell - (Ngāti Hine), member of Hei Āhuru Mōwai, and Expert Review Panel of the Health and Disability System Review, and CEO Waikato/Bay of Plenty Cancer Society.
• Professor Christopher Jackson - Medical Oncologist, Te Whatu Ora Southern; Dunedin Hospital; Mercy Hospital; University of Otago.
• Dr Nina Scott - (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua, Waikato), Chair Hei Āhuru Mōwai - Māori Cancer Leadership Aotearoa, Public Health Physician Waikato.
• Dr Richard Sullivan - Director Cancer and Blood, Auckland District Health Board and Director of Northern Cancer Network.
• Professor Jonathan Koea (Ngati mutunga, Ngati tama) – Hepatobiliary surgeon, Waitemata District Health Board, Professor Auckland School of Medicine.
• Dr Apisalome Talemaitoga – General Practitioner, Pacific Health Advocate.

Advisory Council Minutes

• Advisory Council minutes 22 October 2019 (Word 550KB)
• Advisory Council minutes 22 October 2019 (PDF 124KB)

• Advisory Council minutes 3 December 2019 (Word 50KB)
• Advisory Council minutes 3 December 2019 (PDF 124KB)

• Advisory Council minutes 14 February 2020 (Word 87KB)
• Advisory Council minutes 14 February 2020 (PDF 165KB)

• Advisory Council minutes 7 August 2020 (Word 80KB)
• Advisory Council minutes 7 August 2020 (PDF 213KB)

• Advisory Council minutes 10 September 2020 (Word 128KB)
• Advisory Council minutes 10 September 2020 (PDF 123KB)

• Advisory Council minutes 6 November 2020 (Word 130KB)
• Advisory Council minutes 6 November 2020 (PDF 190KB)

Advisory Council minutes 8 December 2020 (in Word 131kb) and (PDF 192kb)

Advisory Council minutes 26 Februray 2021 (in Word 2MB) and (PDF 162kb)

Advisory Council minutes 4 June 2021 (in Word 7MB) and (PDF 184kb)

Advisory Council minutes 15 October 2021 (in Word 2MB) and (PDF 161kb)

Advisory Council minutes 10 June 2022 (in Word 3MB) and (PDF 200 KB)

Advisory Council minutes 22 November 2022 (in Word 77 KB) and (PDF 167 KB)

Hei Āhuru Mōwai Māori Cancer Leadership Aotearoa

Hei Āhuru Mōwai Māori Cancer Leadership Aotearoa was established in 2012 and has a clear objective of reducing cancer inequities for Māori by influencing New Zealand's cancer control decision-making and policy setting. Their vision is for whānau to have control over their cancer journey and receive equitable, mana enhancing and mauri restoring services for all.

Hei Āhuru Mōwai Māori Cancer Leadership Aotearoa is made up of members across Te Ika-a-Māui (North Island) and Te Waipounamu (South Island). Membership includes specialities across the cancer continuum including; oncology, haematology, kaupapa Māori research, mātauranga Māori research, Māori health management, bio-medical cancer research, wairua healing, gastroenterology, health promotion and kaupapa Māori supportive care.

Board members include: Dr Nina Scott (Chair), Gary Thompson (Deputy Chair), Moahuia Goza, Stephanie Turner, Dr George Laking, Rawiri Blundell, Dr Myra Ruka, Shelley Campbell, Dr Jason Gurney, Dr Kimiora Henare, Dame Naida Glavish, Tira Albert, Tau Huirama, Dr Clarence Kerrison, Gail Mclaughlin and includes Te Tiriti o Waitangi hoamahi; Jo Anson, Joanne Doherty and Dr Melissa Cragg.

Hei Āhuru Mōwai and Te Aho o Te Kahu work together to help reduce inequities for Māori across the cancer continuum.

For more information, please see www.heiahurumowai.org.nz

National Clinical Assembly

Role

The purpose of the National Clinical Assembly (the Assembly) is to provide clinical advice and expertise to the Advisory Council and Chief Executive of Te Aho o Te Kahu.

The Assembly demonstrates the strong commitment from cancer doctors, nurses, and other professionals to work together with Te Aho o Te Kahu for better outcomes for New Zealanders with cancer.

The Clinical Assembly provides clinical advice to support the long-term strategic direction for reducing cancer incidence and improving cancer services across the cancer continuum, and to drive equitable health outcomes for priority populations, specifically focusing on Māori, Pacific peoples, those who live in rural and highly deprived areas, those with mental illness and disabled people.

The Clinical Assembly includes representative cancer-related clinicians from a broad range of medical, nursing and allied health specialities and organisations. The Chairs of the Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology and Haematology Working Groups are members. Additional members have been invited where there are possible gaps in required knowledge or experience.

Membership

Chair

• Prof Christopher Jackson - Medical Oncologist, Te Whatu Ora Southern; Dunedin Hospital; Mercy Hospital; University of Otago

Members

• Dr Alex Henderson - National Clinical Leader Cancer Genetics, Genetic Health Service New Zealand
• Dr Brendan Luey, Clinical Leader Medical Oncology, Te Whatu Ora Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley
• Dr Catherine D'Souza - Palliative Medicine Lead, Te Whatu Ora; University of Otago
• Associate Professor Chris Hemmings - Clinical Director of Anatomical Pathology, Canterbury Health Laboratories; Executive of NZSO
• Dr Claire Hardie - Radiation Oncologist, Clinical Executive Cancer Services; Chair Radiation Oncology Working Group
• Heidi Watson - Clinical Lead, AYA Cancer Network; Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai Auckland
• Dr Humphrey Pullon - Haematologist, Clinical Lead Te Manawa Taki Regional Hub; Te Whatu Ora Waikato; Te Aho o Te Kahu
• Prof Ian Bissett - Colorectal and General Surgeon, University of Auckland; Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai Auckland
• Dr Ineke Meredith - Breast Surgeon, Te Whatu Ora Capital, Coast & Hutt Valley
• Dr James Entwisle - Consultant Te Whatu Ora Capital, Coast & Hutt Valley Radiology; Clinical Director - Strategy, Performance & Planning; Chair National Radiology Advisory Group; Te Whatu Ora Capital, Coast & Hutt Valley
• Justin Gulliver - Advanced Practitioner, Social Worker , Cancer Support Team, Oncology Social Work Australia & NZ (OSWANZ) NZ rep; Te Whatu Ora Capital, Coast
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (to be confirmed)
• Laura Clunie - Oncology Pharmacist, Canopy Cancer Care, Auckland
• Dr Rawiri Keenan - General Practitioner, Royal New Zealand College of GPs
• Dr Sara Joice - Senior Health Psychologist, Cancer PsychoSocial Service, Te Whatu Ora Southern
• Shelley Shae - Associate Director of Nursing and Operations Manager Ambulatory Care, Te Whatu Ora Te Tauihu
• Dr Stephen Laughton - Clinical Lead, National Child Cancer Network; Paediatric Oncologist, Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai Auckland; Board member of Child Cancer Foundation
• Sue Waters - Director of Allied Health; Chair of the National Directors of Allied Health, Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai Auckland
• Dr Suzanne Beuker - Urology Surgeon, Te Whatu Ora Nelson Marlborough

In attendance

• Rami Rahal - Tumuaki, Chief Executive, Te Aho o Te Kahu
• Elizabeth Dennett - Tumutuarua Haumanu, Clinical Director, Te Aho o Te Kahu
• Gabrielle Nicholson - Pou Whakahaere, Manager, Quality Improvement, Te Aho o Te Kahu
• Bridget Kerkin - Manager Clinical Advisory Team, Te Aho o Te Kahu
• Tess Luff - Public Health Physician, Clinical Advisory Team, Te Aho o Te Kahu

Clinical Assembly minutes 29 July 2021 (in Word- 74KB) and (in PDF 232KB)

Clinical Assembly minutes 21 October 2021 (in Word 76KB) and (in PDF 230KB). Accompanied by Presentation on the implementation of assisted dying in New Zealand (PowerPoint 1 MB)

Clinical Assembly minutes 24 March 2022 (in Word 90KB) and (in PDF 290KB)

Clinical Assembly minutes 28 July 2022 (in Word 88KB) and (in PDF 270KB)

Clinical Assembly minutes 24 November 2022 (in Word 79KB) and (in PDF 212KB)

Clinical Assembly minutes 10 March 2023 (in Word 83 KB) and (in PDF 277 KB)

Clinical Assembly minutes 6 June 2023 (in Word 84 KB) and (in PDF 225 KB)

Clinical Assembly minutes 10 August 2023 (in Word 75 KB) and (in PDF 186 KB)

He Ara Tangata - Consumer Reference Group

Role

The purpose of He Ara Tangata is to provide lived-experience expertise and advice to the Chief Executive of Te Aho o Te Kahu.

The establishment of a consumer reference group demonstrates a strong commitment from Te Aho o Te Kahu to hear the voices of people living with cancer, and their whānau.

Membership

Chair

• Vivian Hahipene

Members

• Andy Dickerson
• Brian Sheppard
• Frances Hartnell
• Heather Browning
• Hoani Hakaraia
• Jo Stafford
• May Seager
• Roz Tuitama
• Theona Ireton
• Therese Handscomb
• Vonda Nepia

Our Advisory Groups

Radiation Oncology Work Group

Role

The Radiation Oncology Work Group (ROWG) provides advice on radiation oncology to Te Aho o Te Kahu. ROWG gives advice and guidance on the implementation of the Radiation Oncology National Plan 2017-2021. They also monitor performance and advise on relevant clinical and service delivery, including existing clinical effectiveness, service improvement, service development, treatment guidelines, and service standards.

ROWG Terms of Reference (Word 268KB)

ROWG Terms of Reference (PDF 200KB)

Membership

Radiation Oncology Work Group members are recognised experts nominated by their organisation, sector or speciality group, and comprised of the following:

Chair

• Claire Hardie – Radiation Oncologist, Te Whatu Ora Te Pae Hauora o Ruahine o Tararua MidCentral

Members

• Aaron Phillips – Radiation Therapist, Te Whatu Ora Te Pae Hauora o Ruahine o Tararua MidCentral
• Aimee Bourke – General Manager, Auckland Radiation Oncology (ARO)
• Andrew Cousins – Radiation Oncology Medical Physicist, Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury
• Brian Sheppard – He Ara Tangata, Consumer Reference Group member
• Caroline Stark – Practice General Manager, St Georges Cancer Care Centre
• Darien Montgomerie – Site Manager, Bowen Icon Cancer Centre
• India Mikaere-Girvin, Māori member, Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury
• Jamaine Fraser, Māori member, Te Aka Whai Ora
• Jan Smith – Regional Hub Manager, Te Aho o Te Kahu
• Joseph Stafford, He Ara Tangata, Consumer Reference Group member
• Judy Moselen – Clinical Nurse Specialist, Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai, Auckland
• Leanne Tyrie – Medical Director & Radiation Oncologist, Kathleen Kilgour Centre
• Lesley Long, Service Manager, Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury
• Louise Simonsen – Service Clinical Director, Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai, Auckland
• Megan Purves – Branch manager, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR)
• Melissa James – Radiation Oncologist, Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury
• Natasha Chisholm – Clinical Nurse Specialist Nurse Practitioner, Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury
• Nichola Naidoo – Radiation Oncologist, Te Whatu Ora Capital, Coast & Hutt, Valley
• Philippa Daly, Clinical Manager Radiation Therapy, Te Whatu Ora Canterbury
• Roger Huang - Radiation Oncologist, Te Whatu Ora, Waikato
• Shaun Costello – Radiation Oncologist, Te Whatu Ora, Southern

ROWG minutes 31 August 2021 (Word 83 KB) and ROWG minutes 31 August 2021 (PDF 293KB)

ROWG minutes 17 November 2021 (Word 86KB) and ROWG minutes 17 November 2021 (PDF 326KB)

ROWG minutes 15 March 2022 (Word 91KB) and ROWG minutes 15 March 2022 (PDF 327KB)

ROWG minutes 2 August 2022 (Word 88KB) and ROWG minutes 2 August 2022 (PDF 291KB)

ROWG minutes 30 November 2022 (Word 55KB) and ROWG minutes 30 November 2022 (PDF 203KB)

ROWG minutes 16 May 2023 (Word 88.4KB) and ROWG minutes 16 May 2023 (PDF 187KB)

ROWG minutes 8 Sept 2023 (Word 86KB) and ROWG minutes 8 Sept 2023 (PDF 175KB)

Medical Oncology Work Group

Role

The role of the Medical Oncology Work Group (MOWG) is to provide clinical advice on medical oncology services to Te Aho o Te Kahu. MOWG monitor performance and advise on relevant clinical and service delivery, including existing clinical effectiveness, service improvement, service development, treatment guidelines, and service standards.

Membership

The Medical Oncology Work Group members are recognised experts nominated by their organisation, sector or speciality group. The Work Group includes the following members:

Chair

• Brendan Luey, Clinical Leader Medical Oncology, Te Whatu Ora Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley

Members

• Alvin Tan, Clinical Leader Medical Oncology, Te Whatu Ora Waikato
• Anne-Marie Wilkins, Service Clinical Director Medical Oncology, Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai Auckland
• Caroline Aberhart, Pharmacist Team Leader, Te Whatu Ora Nelson Marlborough
• Louise Bremer, Clinical Leader Medical Oncology, Medical Oncology, Te Whatu Ora Southern
• Johanna Paddison, Clinical Leader Medical Oncology, Te Whatu Ora South Canterbury
• Malcolm Anderson, Clinical Leader Medical Oncology, Te Whatu Ora Te Pae Hauora o Ruahine o Tararua MidCentral
• Matthew Strother, Clinical Leader Medical Oncology, Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury
• Michelle Head, Clinical Leader Medical Oncology, Te Whatu Ora Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty
• Ngāroimata Reid, patient and whānau representative
• Tara Cheung, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Te Whatu Ora Southern
• Thomas Ngaruhe, patient and whānau representative
• Vincent Newton, Clinical Leader Medical Oncology, Te Whatu Ora Te Tai Tokerau Northland

MOWG minutes 10 November 2021 in (Word 70 KB) and (PDF 240 KB)

MOWG minutes 19 October 2022 in (Word 663 KB) and (PDF259 KB)

MOWG minutes 29 March 2023 in (Word 70 KB) and (PDF 320 KB)

MOWG minutes 28 June 2023 in (Word 86 KB) and (PDF 205 KB)

Haematology Work Group

Role

The role of the Haematology Work Group (HWG) is to provide clinical advice on malignant haematological conditions to Te Aho o Te Kahu. HWG monitor performance and advise on relevant clinical and service delivery, including existing clinical effectiveness, service improvement, service development, treatment guidelines, and service standards.

Membership

The HWG members are recognised experts nominated by their organisation, sector or speciality group. The Work Group is comprised of the following members:

Chair

Humphrey Pullon - Haematologist, Waikato DHB; Clinical Lead Te Manawa Taki Regional Hub, Te Aho o Te Kahu

Members

• Allanah Kilfoyle - Clinical Lead, Te Whatu Ora Te Pae Hauora o Ruahine o Tararua MidCentral
• Alwyn D'Souza - Clinical Lead, Te Whatu Ora Capital, Coast & Hutt Valley
• Andrew Butler - Clinical Director, Te Whatu Ora Canterbury
• Eileen Merriman – Haematologist, Te Whatu Ora Waitematā
• Gabrielle Nicholson - Manager, Quality Improvement, Te Aho o Te Kahu
• Laura Young - Haematologist Clinical Lead, Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai Auckland
• Leanne Berkahn - Clinical Haematologist and Head of Lymphoma Service, Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai Auckland and President of the Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand
• Lucy Pemberton - Clinical Lead, Te Whatu Ora Southern
• Luke Merriman - Lead Haematologist, Te Whatu Ora Nelson Marlborough
• Marie Hughes, Haematologist, Te Whatu Ora, Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty
• Peter Fergusson, Chief Executive Officer, Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand
• Rosie Howard - Haematology Nurse Practitioner,Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai Auckland
• Rosie Hoyt - Nurse Specialist in Palliative Care, Otago Community Hospice
• Vincent Newton - Medical Oncologist, Te Whatu Ora, Te Tai Tokerau
• Sharon Jackson – Haematologist, Te Whatu Ora, Counties Manukau
• Tim Prestidge - Paediatric Haematologist, Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai Auckland

HWG minutes 30 June 2021 (Word 71KB) and HWG minutes 30 June 2021 (PDF 236kb)

HWG minutes 27 October 2021 (Word 79KB) and HWG minutes 27 October 2021 (PDF 228kb)

HWG minutes 15 September 2022 (PDF 252 KB)

HWG minutes 1 December 2022 (Word 87KB) and HWG minutes 1 December 2022 (PDF 296kb)

HWG minutes 9 March 2023 (Word 87KB) and HWG minutes 9 March 2023 (PDF 221kb)

HWG minutes 20 July 2023 (Word 98KB) and HWG minutes 20 July 2023 (PDF 189KB)

National Lung Cancer Working Group

Role

The role of the National Lung Cancer Working Group (NLCWG) is to provide advice on early detection, diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer and support the development of initiatives that will improve equitable outcomes for people with lung cancer.

NLCWG Terms of Reference (Word 200KB)

NLCWG Terms of Reference (PDF 263KB)

Membership

The NLCWG members are recognised experts nominated by their organisation, sector or speciality group. The Work Group is comprised of the following members:

Chair

James Entwisle - Clinical Director, Radiology Department, Wellington Hospital

Members

• Chris Harrington - Consultant Radiation Oncologist, Christchurch Hospital
• Brendan Luey - Consultant Medical Oncologist, Te Whatu Ora Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley
• David Hamilton - Radiation Oncologist, Te Whatu Ora Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley
• Denise Aiken - Physician and Palliative Care, Te Whatu Ora Lakes
• Dianne Keip - Clinical Care Coordinator, Te Whatu Ora Hawke’s Bay
• Felicity Meikle - Cardiothoracic Specialist, Te Whatu Ora Waikato
• George Laking - Medical Oncologist, Te Whatu Ora Auckland and member of Hei Āhuru Mōwai
• Greg Frazer - Respiratory and General Physician, Christchurch Hospital and Clinical Senior Lecturer, University of Otago, Christchurch
• Jeremy Hyde - Consultant Anatomical Pathologist at Canterbury Health Laboratories, Christchurch
• Jo Stafford - Consumer and Māori representative, Auckland
• Jonathan Adler - Consultant Palliative Care, Te Whatu Ora Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley
• Mark Taylor - Clinical Director Primary and Integrated Care, Te Whatu Ora Waikato
• Paul Conaglen - Cardiothoracic Specialist, Te Whatu Ora Waikato
• Paul Dawkins - Respiratory Physician, Te Whatu Ora Counties Manakau
• Ross Lawrenson - Professor of Population Health University of Waikato and Clinical Director, Waikato Hospital

National Lung Cancer Working Group Guidance Documents

Members of the National Lung Cancer Working Group were commissioned to develop two guidance documents in 2017 and 2019. Given their value Te Aho o Te Kahu has decided to publish them here to allow their availability to inform lung cancer care quality improvement activity.

These documents have not been formally endorsed by Te Aho o Te Kahu as they sit outside our current approach to Quality Improvement but they do contain valuable information.

The intended users of these two documents are patients and affected whānau, clinicians specialising in lung cancer diagnosis and treatment, service providers and non-government organisations.