Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Director of Public Health withdraws DHB candidacy

Updated at 7:01 pm on 27 September 2010

The Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health has withdrawn his candidacy for the Capital and Coast District Health Board.

Radio New Zealand reported last Thursday that Dr Mark Jacobs, who holds a senior statutory role at the ministry, was standing for the local DHB, which raised concerns about a possible conflict of interest.

Dr Jacobs declined interviews but maintained in written statements that conflicts of interest could be managed.

In a statement issued on Monday afternoon, however, he withdrew his candidacy.

He says that he put his name forward to try to add value to the work of the DHB and to contribute to his community, and that it was not his intention to make life more complicated for the DHB or the ministry.

Listen to more on Checkpoint

Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand