Dame Karen Poutasi, who served as Director-General of Health for more than a decade and went on to lead the qualifications authority and chair Te Whatu Ora, has died, the Ministry of Health said today.

The Ministry acknowledged Dame Karen’s passing and outlined a career that spanned clinical and national leadership roles. After senior positions at Dunedin and Middlemore Hospitals, she became Chief Health Officer at the then-Department of Health, where she led work to implement recommendations from the Cartwright Inquiry into cervical cancer care.

Dame Karen was Director-General of Health for 11 years before moving to education, serving as Chief Executive of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority for 14 years. In 2019 she was seconded as Commissioner of Waikato District Health Board. She later joined the board of Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora, became its Chair, and resigned in 2024.

The Ministry said Dame Karen brought extensive public health expertise to each role and leaves a substantial body of work aimed at improving health outcomes. It extended condolences to her family and friends.

No further details about the circumstances of her death or funeral arrangements were provided.