HealthTech Speakers

David Seymour

Associate Minister of Health (Pharmac)

Hon David Seymour is the Minister of Regulation and the Associate Minister of Health (Pharmac), Finance, and Education (Partnership Schools). He was first elected to Parliament as MP for Epsom in 2014, at which point he became Leader of the ACT Party. David has degrees from the University of Auckland in electrical engineering and philosophy. Before politics, he worked as an electrical engineer in New Zealand and for private sector think tanks in Canada.

Todd Stephenson

ACT Health Spokesperson

Todd Stephenson MP was born in Lumsden and has spent much of his life in rural communities across Southland. Todd has been a member of the ACT Party since its inception and has had a successful career working for multinational healthcare companies overseas. Todd was elected to Parliament as an ACT MP in 2023, and outside of politics enjoys hiking and travelling.

Michael Johnson

Director Strategy, Policy and Performance | Pharmac

Michael joined Pharmac's senior leadership team in September 2017. His experience and knowledge of the health sector include 9 years working in various roles for the Ministry of Health – with the last 5 years working as Senior Health Advisor to the Minister of Health – and various roles with the NHS in Scotland.

As Director of Strategic Initiatives, Michael provides leadership and coordination of Pharmac’s strategy and related project work.

Catherine Epps

Director, Medical Devices | Pharmac

Catherine joined Pharmac as the Director, Medical Devices in August 2023.

Catherine has held senior leadership roles in public and private healthcare organisations in Aotearoa, for more than 10 years, including as Executive Director Allied Health, Scientific and Technical at Capital and Coast District Health Board. Since then, she has led a broad portfolio at WorkSafe including leading the regulator’s contribution to reducing harm to people’s health from the work they do, including Carcinogens, Mentally Healthy Work, and Musculoskeletal Harm.

Catherine is a Fellow of the Australasian College of Health Service Managers, and originally trained as a Speech-language Therapist working clinically with people with a range of disabilities. Catherine also enjoys a governance career with Board Director roles at Mary Potter Hospice, and as Deputy Chair of the Stroke Foundation NZ.

Jon Herries

GM Emerging Health Technology & Innovation - Data & Digital | Te Whatu Ora

Jon is General Manager of Emerging Health Technology & Innovation in Data & Digital at Te Whatu Ora, where he and his team focus on bringing technology to the health sector faster, ensuring that technology provides impact, and establishing a network of interested and expert people and organisations who are working on new technology solutions in health. Jon and his team are actively working with a number of partners to develop new solutions, provide advice and education to the sector on technology innovation and develop a network of innovators.

Jon previously spent four years in Ireland where he worked in healthcare and technology consulting for EY in Europe and the NHS. Previously, Jon was involved in project management, technology development and analytics in operational, commissioning and clinical areas of the Capital & Coast District Health Board. He originally trained and practiced as a physiotherapist and has completed a Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Health.

Maree Warne

Te Whatu Ora Te Matau a Māui, Hawke's Bay

Maree has been nursing for 19 years – this includes two years in Melbourne as a New Graduate and Grade 2 Programmes. Maree returned home to New Zealand and worked in General Surgery, Colorectal and Vascular Wards at Te Whatu Ora Te Matau-a-Māui, Hawke’s Bay. In 2017, sbe trained under Dorothy Ferguson and Sharon Elson as a Stoma Nurse, became a Clinical Nurse Specialist in 2019 and completed her Master of Nursing of Science in 2021.

Maree was seconded onto the CSTN Committee as Secretary in November 2022 and has enjoyed the collaborative and supportive culture of the committee. Maree has learned a lot in her time on the committee and says it has been amazing to meet and get to know other Stoma nurses from around New Zealand. This has enhanced her practice and given her confidence to reach out with any conundrums she came across in her work. Maree says it is rewarding to know that she am contributing to Stomal Therapy in New Zealand, and she would like to continue this by remaining on the committee at this time.