A message from our departing Board Member
Alastair McKenzie served on the Diabetes New Zealand Board from 2017 - 2024. He shares his reflections on his time with Diabetes New Zealand.
“My journey with Diabetes New Zealand began in 2017. I was appointed as an independent Trustee with little knowledge of diabetes or the effects it has on the lives of those who have it, their families or in the broadest sense New Zealand. Diabetes NZ in 2017 was an entirely different organisation then, in comparison to the organised, focussed, out-comes driven entity it is today.
Early on it was obvious that if Diabetes NZ continued with the same model, it would be ineffectual, dysfunctional and disjointed, a so-called national entity that would achieve little for those with Diabetes.
Catherine Taylor was very determined board Chair, as was I, that during hers and my time as Trustees, the entity needed to be turned round, given direction, and ensure that it was future proofed to enable it to do what it should be doing - assisting those with diabetes and their families, prevention (where applicable), and in general advocating to enable better lives for all.
As with all organisations employing the correct people is critical and Diabetes NZ was extremely fortunate in attracting the services of Heather Very as CEO, a tireless worker and advocate for the organisation. The team who she surrounded herself with, are a dedicated and committed tireless group of people continually striving to improve the organisation and what it stands for.
During my tenure the Trustees worked well using their skills to question, analyse and suggest options that have enabled Diabetes NZ to be respected by stakeholders, Central Government and by the community as evidenced by those areas that didn’t wish to join the organisation originally, subsequentially joining or currently exploring the benefits of joining.
The highlights of my time would have to be:
1. The acknowledgement that there needed to be change
2. Employment of the CEO
3. The Economic and Social Cost of Type 2 Diabetes Report presented to Government and acknowledged as a reputable paper on Type 2 Diabetes in NZ
4. The satisfaction in knowing that Diabetes NZ is sound in more ways than one, for the near future
5. That the current Board is ably led and is as focused as ever
I consider myself to be very fortunate to have been part of Diabetes NZ’s recent journey, to have worked with such determined people who have enriched my life and hopefully made me a better person. Diabetes NZ will always have a soft spot in my heart.” - Alastair McKenzie