The Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) has appointed Professor Hannah Buckley as Chief Executive.

Hannah will join the HRC from the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) where she is Associate Dean (Transformation) and Professor of Ecology, leading an active research programme.

Health Research Council Chair, Professor Lester Levy says Professor Buckley stood out among a high calibre field of applicants for her personal values and strong research and leadership credentials.

“Hannah has the experience and capability to build on the HRC’s track record of investing in high quality research and innovation that delivers real health benefits for New Zealanders and contributes to economic growth,” says Professor Levy.

“Her analytical and systems thinking capability, and her experience leading teams through periods of uncertainty mean she is well placed to champion health research and sustain staff culture and organisational performance within a complex and changing research environment.”

Professor Buckley has a PhD in Ecology from the University of Alberta and an MBA from AUT. Her international and national research profile includes more than 120 peer-reviewed journal articles and over 6,300 citations.

She joined AUT in 2017 as an ecologist, and has held significant leadership positions at the university, including Head of School – Science and Associate Dean (Transformation).

“The HRC has a very strong track record over more than thirty years in delivering excellent research that not only directly benefits the health and well-being of New Zealanders, but that informs policy and evidence-based decision making, builds researcher capability in health, and generates innovation in healthcare practice,” says Professor Buckley.

“I feel very privileged to have this opportunity to help lead the organisation through the most significant period of change to New Zealand’s research funding system in recent decades, while maintaining the trust that the research community has in the HRC.

“I greatly look forward to working with the HRC staff, the Council, other agencies, the research community, and the wider sector to support the HRC and the excellent work it does through this next phase.”

The previous HRC Chief Executive stepped down in 2025 to lead Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality and Safety Commission. Since that time, acting-chief executive duties have been shared by members of the HRC executive team.

“On behalf of our Council, I want to thank Lynne Bjarnesen and Stacey Pene for their leadership during this interim period and to acknowledge the wider HRC staff for their ongoing commitment to the organisation’s important work,” says Professor Levy.

Professor Buckley will join the HRC on 14 July. She has been appointed as Chief Executive for a three-year term. In addition to her HRC role, she will continue to do research and supervise students at AUT.

About the Health Research Council of New Zealand:

The HRC is the principal government funder of health research in New Zealand. Our investment improves health outcomes, strengthens the health system and progress towards health targets, and adds value to the nation’s science, innovation and technology system and the wider economy.

In 2025, an in-principle decision was made by Cabinet to disestablish the HRC as part of the Government’s science, innovation and technology system reforms. HRC functions will transfer to Research Funding New Zealand, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, or the Ministry of Health, with full transition of health research funding responsibilities expected to be completed in 2028.

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