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Director-General of Health Dr Diana Sarfati is stepping down, becoming the third senior health official to resign in the space of a week after the new Health Minister’s promised leadership changes.

In a statement, Sarfati highlighted the “challenge of restricting and unifying an entire health system” and how it was “not to be underestimated” as she announced her final day will be next Friday.

Health Minister Simeon Brown will be asked about the departure when he holds a media standup at North Shore Hospital this afternoon where he is opening a new ward.

“Now, having made the decision to go, I have decided to leave promptly,” her statement said.

“I have appreciated the privilege, and responsibility that has come with leading the Ministry of Health during a time of significant change within the sector.

“It is now time to allow someone new to take up the mantle of one of the most challenging and rewarding roles within the health sector.”

Health Minister Shane Reti, flanked by the Director-General of Health Dr Diana Sarfati (left), and Health NZ chief executive Margie Apa. Photo / Mark Mitchell 

She acknowledged the “incredible people” who worked in the health sector. She said she would be taking time before considering “other opportunities”.

Sarfati is the latest senior health official to resign in a matter of days.

Earlier this week, director of Public Health Dr Nicholas Jones said he would be concluding his secondment as planned in February and resuming his previous role in Hawke’s Bay.

Last Friday, Health NZ chief executive Fepulea’i Margie Apa resigned amid the entity’s search for a new chief executive as Apa approached the end of her term.

While her term ended in June, Apa said she had wanted to “make space” for a new leader as a part of Health NZ’s reset.

“Health New Zealand is at a point in the reset where a different leadership approach is required to take us forward, and I would like to make space for that now.”

Health Minister Simeon Brown, who took over the portfolio from Dr Shane Reti last month, told the Herald there would have to be some change within Health NZ’s leadership as he focused the organisation on the Government’s health targets.

Brown, in a statement, thanked Sarfati for her service.

“Diana has had a long, distinguished career in health as a public health physician, cancer epidemiologist, and health services researcher,” he said.

“An experienced and respected leader, Diana has led the Ministry of Health during a challenging time as the last government’s reforms were being implemented.”

Acting Labour health spokesperson Peeni Henare described the changes as a Government-orchestrated “bloodbath”.

“Christopher Luxon thinks a purge of health leadership will turn around the health system while he refuses to invest properly for the health of New Zealanders.

“Dr Sarfati is a world-leading cancer research expert, improving survival rates and closing inequities in treatment. If the Government doesn’t reach its cancer targets without Dr Sarfati they have no one to blame but themselves.’

Public Service Association acting national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons warned Sarfati’s resignation would cause more turmoil in an already-stretched health system

“The fundamental problem in health is that the Government is starving our health system of the funding needed to run it,” she said.

“Hard working public servants delivering health care like Dr Sarfati are being asked to work miracles to somehow keep a groaning system working for New Zealanders.”

Adam Pearse is a political reporter in the NZ Herald Press Gallery team, based at Parliament. He has worked for ��һ�ǿ����� since 2018, covering sport and health for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei before moving to the NZ Herald in Auckland, covering Covid-19 and crime.