Resignation of Nursing Council's CEO - Catherine Byrne

Dear Members

Last week, Nursing Council Chair Sharon Brownie advised that Catherine Byrne has resigned as Chief Executive and Registrar of the Nursing Council after eight years in the role. Deputy Registrars Nick Davis and Clare Prendergast, and Education Manager Annette Huntington, have also resigned. These unexpected announcements follow a significant increase in ministerial appointments to the Council, while the HPCA Amendment Bill has not yet been passed.

While this level of significant change is unprecedented and is causing serious concern among nursing organisations across the motu, the College would be remiss if it didn’t take the opportunity to focus on the achievements and contributions that Catherine Byrne has made during her tenure as CEO.

Cath has led the Council in its achievement of several significant milestones. Nursing competencies and scopes of practice have been reviewed or are in the process of being reviewed so that nursing practice meets contemporary needs and achieves public safety. The Pou-based framework to describe expected standards of competence, beautifully reflects contemporary nursing practice in Aotearoa.  These workstreams have been undertaken in consultation with a wide range of nursing representatives and stakeholders.

Cath led the development and launch of the Kawa Whakaruruhau Cultural Safety Guidelines. Backed by the Nursing Council Board as a priority this work was carried our in a genuine partnership approach with iwi, in a manner that had been rarely seen before, but resulted in significant engagement and backing of all stakeholders.  This level of cultural practice demonstrates Cath’s values of inclusion and passion to ensure the correct processes exist for nursing.

A significant and lengthy piece of work on the Lake Alice investigation, carried out in a compassionate manner, saw Cath issue an apology on behalf of nurses, for nurses’ involvement in the abuse experienced by survivors in state care. Feedback from the survivors indicated that this was the first time they were genuinely listened to, and the healing this led to was life changing.

Cath has been a values based and present nursing leader, always going the extra mile to ensure nurses have access to information, changes and opportunities to be involved in the direction of their profession. She not only ensured but demanded cultural competence and took her responsibilities to Te Tiriti o Waitangi seriously.

Thank you, Cath, for your tireless work and advocacy to maintain public safety.  You have set the bar for leadership at Nursing Council, and your legacy will be proudly remembered.

The College has enjoyed a collegial and professional working relationship with the Nursing Council Leadership and has been engaged with many working groups.  We look forward to a continued positive  relationship with the incoming leadership.

Nga mihi  nui

Brenda  Close                                                   Bel  Macfie

Co-Chair  Aronuku                                          Co-Chair Arorangi

Te Whare Tohu Tapuhi  o Aotearoa          Te Whare Tohu Tapuhi  o Aotearoa