Victorian government appoints Caroline McElnay as chief health officer
Caroline McElnay.
Photo:
Pool / Stuff / Robert Kitchin
New Zealand's top public health official during the Covid-19 pandemic has been appointed the chief health officer for the state of Victoria in Australia.
Dr Caroline McElnay, who was Director of Public Health between 2017 and 2022, worked alongside then-Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
McElnay was also named a companion of the Queen's Service Order in 2023 in recognition of her significant service to public health.
In a statement, Dr McElnay said she was honoured to serve the Victorian community in this important role and looked forward to working with the government and the health sector to protect people's health.
She will start the new role in August.
Former New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush also recently took the job as Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police in Australia.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero
,
a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
2 hours ago
- RNZ News
Super Rugby Pacific: Late try seals second place finish for Crusaders
The Crusaders' George Bell scores the winner against the Brumbies, on Friday night. Photo: Mark Evans/ActionPress A late try to Crusaders replacement hooker George Bell has secured a 33-31 win over the Brumbies in Canberra. The result means the Crusaders finish second in the overall Super Rugby Pacific standings going into next weekend's play-offs, while the Brumbies finish third. The home side struck almost straight away, with Feao Fotuaika rumbling over after the Brumbies had pinched the opening kick-off. The lead didn't last long though, only five minutes later Christian Lio-Willie hit back with a barge over of his own. A Rivez Reihana penalty and Ethan Blackadder try pushed the lead out, but the Brumbies stayed in touch with a lovely try to Len Ikitau. Rivez Reihana then hit back for the Crusaders, before Sevu Reece knocked over a rare drop goal before the break. In hindsight, while Reece's decision to take three points was the ultimate difference at the end, it was a bit rash as the Crusaders were 30 metres out and the chances of winning a penalty and subsequent attacking lineout were high. Reihana added another penalty after the break, before Rhys van Nek and Andy Muirhead scored tries for the Brumbies within six minutes of each other, to make the score 28-all. It set up a pulsating last quarter, with the Brumbies dominating possession only to be denied time and again by some staunch Crusaders defence. After successfully defending an attacking lineout, the visitors found themselves offside and Noah Lolesio sent the penalty goal over to give the Brumbies the lead for the first time in the game. However, it didn't last long. The Brumbies were penalised a few minutes after the restart and the Crusaders opted to go for the win with a lineout only five metres out. When the drive stalled, Bell peeled off the back to a defenceless blindside, crashing over for the winning try. Reihana's kick drifted wide, which meant that the Crusaders had to withstand a furious late charge by the Brumbies. Wing Corey Toole almost slipped through the defence to score the winner, but was hauled down short of the line and lost the ball forward. Both sides will now keep an eye on tomorrow's games as all three have permutations for next week. They will play either the Hurricanes or Reds, however just who faces who won't be known until Saturday night. If the Hurricanes can beat Moana Pasifika, they will head to Canberra. However if the Hurricanes lose and the Reds can beat the Drua, the Reds will face the Brumbies and the Hurricanes head to Christchurch to play the Crusaders. Read how the game unfolded here :
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- RNZ News
Police out in force in Levin, one year on from boy racer conflict
Events a year ago this weekend turned violent, with confrontations between a large crowd and police in Levin. Photo: NZ Police / Supplied Levin residents say police and hoons are already out in force on the anniversary of earlier conflict. Last year, a gathering of more than 200 people and cars in Levin turned violent on Saturday 1 June, with a crowd blocking the town's main street, and officers reporting projectiles thrown at them. On Friday night, posts on Levin social media groups said at least one police helicopter was circling the town, with commenters reporting the helicopters were tracking boy racers. "Sounds are going hard now, from police sirens to choppers, to burn outs, to police chases ... quite uneasy for Levin locals," one person said on a local forum, shortly before 11pm, Friday. "[We] will see if this current government puts its 2025 boy racer legislation where it's mouth is," another commenter said. Stuff reported a large gathering of boy racers were expected in the town for King's Birthday Weekend, but were not wanted. Horowhenua District Mayor Bernie Wanden told Stuff the town has "had a gutsful", and did not want hoons coming back and causing "mayhem". Police were aware of the event and had plans and resources to respond, he said. Police did not immediately respond to RNZ's requests for comment. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- RNZ News
Road cordoned off by police near schools in Wellington
Officers within the cordon, on Friday night. Photo: Police have cordoned off a section of road near a college and intermediate school, in the Wellington suburb of Johnsonville. A section of busy Burma Road was closed for some time on Friday night, with a wide cordon in place, and traffic approaching it being turned back. Crime scene markers were visible within the cordon, and officers were seen examining a car near a pedestrian crossing between Onslow College and Raroa Intermediate Normal School. A police officer at the scene said the cordon was related to traffic, and there was no risk to the public. A post on a local Facebook group said people should avoid the stretch of road between Fraser Avenue and the Rāroa roundabout. It said Fraser Avenue was open, but with traffic blocked up due to the cordon. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
