"We're concerned about the impact of cutting a further 135 jobs at the Ministry of Health on top of the 201 jobs the government cut at the Ministry last year," says Public Service Association national secretary Brenda Pilott.

Agriculture Minister David Carter has appointed Dr Murray Horn to lead work towards forming a single body for the New Zealand wool industry.

Wellington, March 9 NZPA - Labour is suspicious about why the Director-General of Health, Stephen McKernan, is leaving the position, but Mr McKernan says it is his own decision.

Mr McKernan has been in the role since 2006 and his term of appointment expires at the end of July.

The departure of the Director General of the Ministry of Health raises questions around the politicisation of the public service, Labour's State Services spokesperson Grant Robertson said today.

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) welcomes the appointment of Chai Chuah to the post of National Director of the new National Health Board.

Wellington, Feb 1 NZPA - Hutt Valley District Health Board chief executive for the last seven years, Chai Chuah, has been appointed the first national director of the National Health Board (NHB) business unit at the Ministry of Health.

The appointment of Chai Chuah as the first National Director to the new National Health Board, within the Ministry of Health, has been welcomed by the New Zealand Medical Association.

The Director-General of Health Stephen McKernan has announced the appointment of the first National Director to the new National Health Board.

"I am delighted to announce the appointment of Chai Chuah as the National Director of the NHB," says Mr McKernan.

The economic downturn in New Zealand is likely to result in more suicides, and slowing of health improvements among Māori and Pacific Islanders and lower socio-economic groups, a University of Otago study just published in the New Zealand Medical Journal predicts.

Age Concern New Zealand congratulates members of the new National Health Board on their appointment and is looking forward to a productive relationship.