NEW ZEALAND | Leadership at Alzheimers NZ is changing at a time when the dementia sector is pushing for greater recognition within New Zealand’s health and aged-care system, with Dave Robinson appointed as the organisation’s new chief executive.
Robinson will take up the role on 14 September, succeeding Catherine Hall after her 14 years leading the national organisation.
He brings more than 20 years of leadership experience across New Zealand’s health, community and public sectors, including chief executive roles with Wellington Free Ambulance and MASH Trust.
The appointment brings considerable operational experience into Alzheimers NZ as the organisation continues its advocacy for people living with dementia mate wareware and their whānau, alongside its work with community organisations and the wider health and aged-care sector.
Robinson’s background spans both frontline health services and the NGO sector. At MASH Trust, he led an organisation providing mental health, addiction and disability support services before moving to Wellington Free Ambulance in 2021.
His appointment also comes during a period when Alzheimers NZ has been increasingly vocal about the need for dementia to be treated as a central part of planning for New Zealand’s ageing population.
For aged-care and retirement operators, that advocacy intersects directly with some of the sector’s most persistent pressures, including access to dementia care, community support, workforce capacity and the ability of the wider health system to meet increasing demand.
Hall’s departure closes a significant period for Alzheimers NZ. During her tenure, the organisation strengthened its advocacy and sector relationships while continuing to push for greater recognition of the needs of people living with dementia mate wareware and their whānau.
Alzheimers NZ said Robinson would build on the foundations established during Hall’s leadership as the organisation continued working towards improved recognition, support and outcomes for people affected by dementia.
Robinson will meet sector representatives at the Alzheimers NZ Conference in Auckland later this month, which takes place on 29 and 30 September as part of World Alzheimers Month.
His arrival puts a new chief executive at the table as the sector continues to press for decisions around dementia funding, services and aged-care reform. The immediate challenge will be turning that advocacy into stronger recognition of dementia within future health and aged-care planning.
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