The chief executive of Wellington's cash-strapped Capital & Coast District Health Board has resigned and will leave the job later this year.
Mary Bonner has been in the job for the past two-and-a-half years and is leaving for personal reasons, the DHB says.
The board says she has worked hard to reduce the deficit while improving services.
It says she has also been a strong supporter of the drive by DHBs in Wellington, Hutt Valley and Wairarapa to work more closely together.
Health Minister Tony Ryall says Mrs Bonner has been good to deal with and he wishes her well.
Board member Judith Aitken says Mrs Bonner will be missed and her departure poses serious questions for the DHB.
They include how to run a hospital offering a wide range of medical specialties for a population of less than 300,000, with a mix of chronic and other health needs, she says.
