Nursing in New Zealand

Chief Nurse

The role of Chief Nurse

The Chief Nurse is a senior civil servant based within the Sector Capability and Innovation Directorate of the Ministry of Health.

The Chief Nurse:

provides expert advice on nursing to Government and helps to develop, implement and evaluate Government health policy, leading on nursing policy and strategy in support of the Government's objectives
provides professional leadership to the nursing profession in New Zealand working closely with nurse leaders within the health sector, the professional statutory bodies, professional and staff associations and unions, DHB Chief Executives and managers, and the voluntary and independent sectors
ensures an effective New Zealand contribution to nursing and health policy in international fora, including the World Health Organisation, the Western Pacific Region, and close association with Australian colleagues through the ANZCCN (Australian and New Zealand Council of Chief Nurses).

Mark Jones, Chief Nurse
Email: mark_jones@moh.govt.nz

Photo of Mark Jones.

Mark’s role is to provide advice to Government concerning the effective utilisation of nursing to the optimum benefit of the health of all New Zealanders. This includes ensuring we have a well qualified and fit for purpose workforce able to adapt to the changing needs of the sector.

With a background in primary care and public health, Mark plays a significant part in the delivery of the primary health care strategy whilst working to ensure we have quality nursing available within acute care environments.

Mark joined the Ministry from the United Kingdom where he was the Director of the lead professional organisation for primary care nurses – the community Practitioners’ and Health Visitors’ Association. Prior to this, he headed up the primary care team at the Royal College of Nursing , having joined that organisation from a background in health visiting practice. Mark has led significant initiatives in advanced nursing practice, including the nurse practitioner and prescribing roles, in the United Kingdom and internationally.

Mark gained his nursing degree through the University of the South Bank and Guys Hospital and completed a MSc in Health Policy Studies (with commendation) at the University of Bristol, where he completed his doctoral research into processes of health decision making.

View the regular Chief Nurse Newsletters.

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Page last updated: 1 September 2009