Council members are appointed by the Minister of Health and are appointed initially for a term of three years. Half of the ten members are or have been engaged in health research, while the balance bring skills and experience in areas such as community affairs, health administration, law, management and knowledge of health issues from a consumer perspective.
The Council's governance responsibilities include:
- Communicating with the Minister and other stakeholders to ensure their views are reflected in the HRC's planning;
- Delegating responsibility for achievement of specific objectives to the chief executive;
- Monitoring organisational performance towards achieving objectives;
- Accounting to the Minister on plans and progress against them; and
- Maintaining effective systems of control.
The Council maintains an interests' register and ensures Council members are aware of their obligations to declare interests. The Council is committed to ensuring that all of its activities are conducted in a manner which meets the highest ethical standards.
The criteria for membership of the Council are outlined in Sections 8 to 11 of the Health Research Council Act 1990 and as amended by the Health Research Council Amendment Act 1991. Sections 6, 31 and 34 of the Act sets out the statutory responsibilities of the HRC, which relate to the functions of the Council, consideration of applications, and liaisons with other organisations.
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Robert Stewart is a successful businessman, innovator, philanthropist and the founder of Christchurch's SKOPE Industries. He is a life member and past President of the Canterbury Manufacturer's Association and is a Fellow of the Institute of Management. In 1986, Robert was the winner of the Mobil Exporter of the Year award. He was awarded the Ernst & Young Master Entrepreneur of the Year in 2000. He is President of the independent Canterbury Medical Research Foundation and in 2006 Robert was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to manufacturing and the community.
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Professor Beasley is a physician at Capital & Coast District Health Board and Director of the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand. He is an Adjunct Professor at the Universities of Otago and Canterbury, and Visiting Professor at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom. His research interests are in the fields of respiratory medicine and pharmacovigilance.
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Dr Harwood is Clinical director for Tamaki Healthcare, a Māori led PHO in Auckland, and is completing her doctorate in rehabilitation medicine. Her work experience encompasses the fields of general practice, Hauora Māori, neuro-rehabilitation (stroke and traumatic brain injury) and respiratory medicine. She is Deputy Chair for Te Ohu Rata o Aotearoa (Māori Medical Practitioners Association), sits on the Board for Asthma and Respiratory Foundation for New Zealand, and served nine years on regional Health and Disability Ethics Committees.
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Elspeth Ludemann is a partner in a pastoral farming business; a former deputy chair of Waitaki District Health Services and a former chair of SAMS (Standards and Monitoring Services), a trust supporting and advocating for people with intellectual disabilities and their families.
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Dr Powell trained as a botanist, worked as a scientist and was research centre director in agricultural and horticultural research for many years. He has published over 60 refereed papers, mainly in international journals, and held senior positions in the Southern Regional Health Authority from 1993 to 1998. He has consulted widely on primary health care developments for the Independent Practitioners Association, Primary Health Organisations, District Health Boards and pharmacy organisations, and has been a director on the Otago Chamber of Commerce for many years. Dr Powell also owns and operates an export flower growing business in Wanaka.
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Professor Reeve is the head of the Cancer Genetics Laboratory at the University of Otago's Department of Biochemistry. He currently heads a programme of research at the Laboratory into the genetics and epigenetics of cancer. Anthony is also the Director and Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board for Pacific Edge Biotechnology Limited, a Dunedin based biomedical company developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic products in the cancer field.
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Ann Richardson is Professor of Cancer Epidemiology at the University of Canterbury. Her research interests are in cancer epidemiology and cancer screening. Ann obtained her undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in medicine and public health in New Zealand, was a clinical research fellow at the University of Oxford, was a Professor of Public Health at the University of Otago, and also worked as a public health physician for the Canterbury District Health Board. Ann has served on national working parties and advisory groups, and in 2008 received a QSO for services to public health.
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Professor Smith is the Pro Vice-Chancellor Māori at the University of Waikato. She is an internationally renowned Professor of Education with a professional background in Māori and indigenous education. Professor Smith’s research interests are wide ranging and collaborative and include Marsden funded research on the Native Schools system and on New Zealand youth. She is known internationally for her work on research methodology and Māori and indigenous education. Professor Smith has served on a number of national advisory committees including the Tertiary Education Advisory Committee and was the Chair of the Māori Tertiary Reference Group for the Ministry of Education. She is also a Co-Deputy Chair of the Council for Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.
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Suzanne Snively is an economic and business entrepreneurialism strategist. She was previously a Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers and is Managing Director of MoreMedia Enterprises. A US citizen, Suzanne arrived in Wellington as a Fulbright Scholar serving on Fulbright New Zealand's Board for 17 years (Chairing for seven years). Suzanne was a Director of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, R A Hannah & Co and Wellington City 's Capital Holdings. She is currently on the Whitireia New Zealand, Wellington Institute of Technology (WelTec), Diabetes New Zealand and Health Research Council of New Zealand Boards. Suzanne's New Zealand Order of Merit is for Services to Business and she was one of the 100 people honoured by the Queen in Women's Suffrage Year in 1993. Her memberships include the Institute of Directors, the Association of Economists and Global Women.
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Professor Stott is based at the Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, The University of Auckland. She has a half-time clinical commitment to Starship Children's Hospital as a paediatric orthopaedic surgeon. Professor Stott is a scientific fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine and is currently President of the Australasian Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine. Her research interests include paediatric rehabilitation, trauma outcomes in children and childhood disability.
