CHERIE SEAMARK
Wellington,WGN
Summary
Transformational Chief Executive with over 20 years in health system leadership, specialising in primary health organisations and national reform. Led initiatives to enhance primary care, improve health equity, and achieve sustainable financial performance. Built strong partnerships with stakeholders to boost access and service sustainability, while ensuring workforce stability and community trust. Strategic leader skilled in governance, commissioning, and large-scale change implementation.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief of Strategic Relationships & Business Development | Deputy CEO
Tū Ora Compass Health
Wellington, WGN
01.2025 - Current
- Executive leadership role responsible for strategic partnerships, business development, organisational sustainability, and system integration within one of New Zealand's largest PHOs.
- Cultivated strategic relationships with Health New Zealand, ACC, Social Investment Agency, iwi, Māori providers, IMPBs, community providers, and general practice, enhancing collaboration and resource sharing.
- Facilitated negotiations for shared Data & Digital Services model across two PHOs, achieving stakeholder alignment, accountability, and service continuity during workforce transitions.
- Advanced organisational performance improvement and long-term financial sustainability initiatives, supporting overall strategic goals.
- Led organisational redesign and operating model development in response to funding pressures.
Chief Executive Officer
Te Awakairangi Health Network
Wellington, WGN
01.2023 - 01.2025
- Led a Primary Health Organisation with an annual budget of approximately $50 million through significant organisational, financial, and strategic transformation.
- Led the successful merger of two Primary Health Organisations.
- Transitioned all staff into ongoing positions during merger, ensuring organisational capability and continuity of service delivery.
- Delivered organisational restructuring and culture change that strengthened workforce confidence, accountability, and performance.
- Established $5 million Primary Care Investment Fund to enhance practice sustainability, workforce development, innovation, and infrastructure.
- Secured approval for reinvestment of $1.7 million into primary care development from HNZ.
- Strengthened governance arrangements to maintain local representation, community voice, and place-based decision-making.
- Built strong partnerships with iwi, providers, practices, communities, and Health New Zealand.
General Manager Primary & Community Care
Te Aka Whai Ora Māori Health Authority
Wellington, WGN
01.2022 - 01.2023
- National executive leadership role responsible for primary and community care investment, commissioning, workforce development, and equity-focused reform.
- Managed primary and community care investment portfolio of $120 million, ensuring strategic allocation to enhance service delivery.
- Led investment initiatives to eliminate prescription co-payment barriers, significantly increasing access to essential medicines for underserved populations.
- Supported national initiatives that expanded equitable access to cancer screening and early intervention services, improving health outcomes for diverse communities.
- Led implementation of the national Equity Adjustment Payment programme supporting practices serving high-needs Māori and underserved populations.
- Oversaw rollout of Comprehensive Primary and Community Care Teams across Aotearoa.
- Led commissioning and funding initiatives supporting Māori providers, workforce development, service sustainability, and equitable access to care.
- Worked collaboratively with Health New Zealand, PHOs, iwi, providers, and clinicians to strengthen primary and community care.
Pou Kaiwhakahaere Mori / Population Health
Tū Ora Compass Health
Wellington, WGN
01.2020 - 01.2022
- Senior leadership role responsible for Māori health strategy, population health, commissioning, workforce development, and organisational change.
- Led Māori workforce development and commissioning initiatives, advancing population health outcomes for Māori.
- Developed and implemented He Waka Eke Noa, the Tū Ora Māori Health Strategy.
- Embedded Māori health and equity priorities across organisational planning and service delivery.
- Established organisation-wide cultural safety and equity capability programmes, enhancing cultural competence across services.
- Strengthened strategic partnerships with iwi and Māori providers, improving access to health services for Māori communities.
- Increased Māori workforce representation by 50%.
Tumuaki / Chief Executive Officer
Hora Te Pai Health Services
Wellington, WGN
01.2008 - 01.2020
- Tumuaki responsible for strategy, governance, financial performance, workforce development, quality, and service delivery.
- Led organisational turnaround from deficit to sustainable financial performance.
- Secured more than $2 million in additional contracts and funding.
- Built reserves exceeding $500,000.
- Led organisational culture transformation, improving workforce engagement, retention, accountability, and performance.
- Rebuilt stakeholder confidence, enhancing organisational credibility and trust.
- Established and led $10 million iwi-led Care in the Community programme, providing critical support during COVID-19 response.
- Partnered with iwi to secure strategic land and facilities, ensuring long-term service delivery and sustainability.
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA) -
Victoria University of Wellington
Skills
- Business development
- Strategic planning
- Financial management
- Performance improvement
- Workforce development
- Equity-focused reforms
- Change management
- Organisational development
- Stakeholder engagement
- Community engagement
- Cultural safety initiatives
- Effective communication
- Problem solving
- Māori health & Te Tiriti Leadership
Affiliations
- Former Chair, Kāpiti Community Health Network
- Member, Te Khui Piringa | Health Quality & Safety Commission
- Te Kura Tapuhi Hauora | School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Practice
- Former Chair, Te Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai Charitable Trust
- Former Director, Te Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai Asset Holding Company
- Former Member, Te Whakaminenga
- Former Chair, Ātiawa Toa IMPB Māori Partnership Board
- Former Advisory Board Member, Healthier Lives National Science Challenge
CORE EXPERTISE
Executive Leadership Governance & Stewardship Strategy & Transformation Commissioning & Investment Māori Health & Te Tiriti Leadership Strategic Partnerships Change Management Financial Stewardship Merger & Integration Leadership PHO|Primary Care Sustainability
Timeline
Chief of Strategic Relationships & Business Development | Deputy CEO
Tū Ora Compass Health
01.2025 - Current
Chief Executive Officer
Te Awakairangi Health Network
01.2023 - 01.2025
General Manager Primary & Community Care
Te Aka Whai Ora Māori Health Authority
01.2022 - 01.2023
Pou Kaiwhakahaere Mori / Population Health
Tū Ora Compass Health
01.2020 - 01.2022
Tumuaki / Chief Executive Officer
Hora Te Pai Health Services
01.2008 - 01.2020
Master of Business Administration (MBA) -
Victoria University of Wellington