GPs have given their highest award to the Health Ministry team that led New Zealand's response to swine flu.
The Medical Association award was presented to public health director Dr Mark Jacobs on Tuesday.
The award honours a person or group that has made a substantial contribution to the health of New Zealanders.
Association chair Dr Peter Foley says Dr Jacobs and a team that included his deputy directors Fran McGrath and Darren Hunt showed exceptional leadership in a pressured environment.
He says they struck the correct balance between keeping people informed, but without alarming them unnecessarily.
Dr Foley says it showed what the health sector could do when groups work together.
