ABOUT US
Board Members | Mema Poari
Dr Valerie Tan
Kaihautū | Chairperson
Dr Valerie Tan is a Clinical Psychologist and a lecturer at the Department of Psychological Medicine (University of Otago) who was appointed to the Board in 2022.
She currently lives in Dunedin and is a doctoral graduate from the University of Otago with an academic background in psychology and neuroscience.
Her ongoing work is focussed on adult mental health interventions and the wider role of psychologists within the clinical landscape. Her early governance experience includes areas of multiculture and women’s rights and she is passionate about equitable healthcare, culturally safe practice, and the development of a socially responsive mental health workforce.
Mr John Eatwell
Kaihautū Tuarua | Deputy Chairperson
John Eatwell is an Organisational Psychologist and joined the Board in May 2022.
John works for Strategic People Group, delivering services including leadership, change, team development and talent management. He is passionate about creating organisational cultures that perform better and build wellness for their people.
Based in Otautahi Christchurch, John has held a number of governance roles and is currently Chair of the Queen Charlotte Track Land Cooperative.
Dr Dianne Ball
Dr Dianne Ball was appointed as a lay member to the Board in May 2022.
Dianne is an experienced director in public and private health sectors in NZ and Australia. Her specialty areas are strategy, governance and organisational change.
Dianne is committed to improving services that meet the needs of the consumer and their whanau. Dianne is Director of Strategy at Communio Ltd.
Mrs Jenny Allison
Pracitioner Member
Prof Julia Rucklidge
Julia Rucklidge is a Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Canterbury and joined the Board in August 2026.
Julia’s research and teaching focus on mental health prevention, wellbeing, and the role of nutrition in supporting psychological health. She previously served as Director of the Clinical Psychology Programme at the University of Canterbury and has served on the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal for 15 years, bringing experience in both the training and regulation of health professionals.
Originally from Canada, Julia has made Ōtautahi Christchurch her home and has worked at the University of Canterbury since 2000.
Prof Lois Surgenor
Lois is a Clinical Psychologist whose earlier career involved working in specialist mental health and general hospital settings. Her later career has been as Professor at the Department of Psychological Medicine (University of Otago at Christchurch) and appointments in multiple Associate Dean roles in the wider Division of Health Sciences.
She is on several international journal editorial boards and is a layperson on the NZ Law Society Practice Approval Committee.
Ms Megan Campbell
Megan Campbell was appointed as a lay member to the board in 2025.
Megan is an experienced board member in the public and for purpose health and mental health sectors in New Zealand. She has a particular interest in wellbeing, lived and living experience, and ensuring the protection of the health and safety of the public across the health sector. Megan also has experience working in the New Zealand policy and advocacy space.
Aside from her governance roles, Megan also works as an advisor, coach and mentor and lives in Kirikiriroa
Dr Raymond Tan
Dr Raymond Tan was appointed as a lay board member in 2026.
Based in Auckland, he is a Chartered Director with over 20 years of governance experience across public, professional, and not-for-profit sectors. He brings an independent public perspective to governance, compliance, and standards enforcement.
With a strong background in strategy, finance, and risk management, Dr Tan focuses on upholding public trust, ethical oversight, and transparent decision-making that delivers a significant impact on the profession.