Dame Karen Poutasi will replace Rob Campbell as Te Whatu Ora board's chair by the end of the week.

The medically trained doctor has held several high-profile public service roles, including Director-General of Health until 2006.

She was also chair of the Covid-19 Immunisation Programme Governance Group, and commissioner of Waikato DHB.

She says she's taking over a system that will eventually give way to a new system that better serves New Zealanders.

"We're on a journey and we're not going to get there overnight, but we are on a journey. And we recognise that we've got staff who are really tired, it's been a tough year."

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