In anticipation of becoming New Zealand’s largest PHO, the Establishment Board of thePHO has confirmed its inaugural substantive chair and chief executive officer who both bring considerable experience from similar positions in large PHOs.
Independent Chair - Peter Townsend
Taking up his role as the new independent chair of thePHO’s Board, Peter Townsend (pictured) says he is excited by the prospect of a new general practice-focused PHO which offers the government and funders a strong national level primary health organisation dedicated to maximising front-line resources and equity of access for patients wherever they may be across the country.
“I would also like to acknowledge and thank Emeritus Professor Murray Tilyard and Philip Grant who, as establishment chair and establishment chief executive officer respectively, have put in considerable hard work and commitment to secure the progress already made by thePHO. We have solid foundations from which to launch New Zealand’s largest PHO on 1 July 2026”.
Mr Townsend is a Chartered Fellow of The Institute of Directors with considerable governance expertise including previously being on the Board of Pegasus Health for 15 years; of which he was chair for the final three years. His additional governance roles include Te Papa Hauora; The Health Precinct, Crown Infrastructure Delivery Ltd (previously Otakaro Ltd), Trust Board of The Airforce Museum, Board member of Warbirds over Wanaka and, a co-opted member of The Canterbury Community Pharmacy Group Committee
In 2014 Lincoln University awarded Mr Townsend an Honorary Doctor of Commerce, in recognition of his service to the business Community and, in 2013, he was made a Companion of The New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to Community and Business.
Chief Executive Officer - Tony Wai
Joining Mr Townsend on thePHO’s leadership team is Tony Wai (pictured), who has been appointed as thePHO’s substantive chief executive officer with immediate effect. A senior New Zealand health leader and Chartered Accountant, Mr Wai brings more than two decades of executive and governance experience across primary care, digital health, aged care and disability services.
He most recently served as chief executive officer of Third Age Health and previously held senior executive roles at ProCare Health, including interim chief executive officer as well as chief financial officer and general manager – corporate services, where he led finance, technology and system enablement across one of New Zealand’s largest primary care networks.
Mr Wai is recognised for his focus on sustainable operating models, equitable access to care, and the practical application of digital and data-enabled solutions to strengthen frontline services. Commenting on his appointment, he says “thePHO is an opportunity to reset how primary care is funded, supported and held accountable at a national level as well as locally. My focus is on ensuring more investment reaches the frontline, backed by stronger commercial discipline, transparent performance measures and smarter use of data. We need a PHO that reduces duplication, enables digital innovation and delivers clear value for money; giving provider practices the confidence and capability to operate sustainably while improving access and outcomes for patients”.