Doug Healey in New Zealand’s Health Sector
A Natural Path into Healthcare
With a lifelong passion for community health, Doug’s step into healthcare was a natural one. Even before COVID-19, he worked alongside people living with long-term conditions such as diabetes and chronic disorders. His focus was always on equity, access, and ensuring people had the support they needed.
The COVID-19 Response
When the pandemic hit, Doug was called to the frontline. He coordinated testing centres and went on to establish some of the largest testing stations in the country — reaching as far south as the South Island.
He later managed GP clinics and led the rollout of New Zealand’s largest vaccination centres, mobilising more than 80 nurses nationwide. He also created and deployed New Zealand’s first private digital triage and referral system, complete with a nationwide dashboard — ahead of the official health sector at the time. Alongside this, he oversaw PPE distribution and built systems aligned with WHO global standards, ensuring rural and underserved communities were not left behind.
Leadership at Te Whatu Ora
Leadership at Te Whatu Ora
Doug’s proven leadership during the pandemic led to his invitation to join Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora, where he now serves as Manager of Digital & ICT for the Hauora Māori Service. His work sits at the heart of one of the largest health transformations in Aotearoa’s history, focused on improving outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders.
Driving Oral Health and System Change
Alongside his digital leadership, Doug also sits on the Oral Health Clinical Network, where he brings his experience and advocacy to one of the most urgent equity challenges in Aotearoa. Oral health has long been overlooked, and Doug is passionate about driving change to ensure children, whānau, and communities can access the care they need.
With more than 20 years of experience in operations, project management, and community engagement, Doug continues to push for data and digital strategies that tackle intergenerational inequities. He is committed to building a system that puts people, patients, whānau, and kaimahi at the centre.