Funding and finance director Robert Mackway-Jones was resigning, effective from May 24, chief executive Carole Heatly announced in a press release yesterday.
Before the announcement was made, she had urged him to stay on at the DHB, Ms Heatly said.
''He had previously expressed a desire to leave his role, after 18 years with the DHB, and I asked him to stay on as his efforts have been crucial to the Southern Way projects and our future direction.
''After considering this, Robert has now decided to move on and I am certain you will join me in wishing him every success,'' she said.
She also praised the standard of his work, saying he had ''worked tirelessly for the DHB through difficult times and has done an outstanding job''.
His role heading the planning and funding arm of the DHB would be advertised shortly, she said.
DHB chairman Joe Butterfield told the Otago Daily Times Mr Mackway-Jones had given the DHB ''exemplary service'' over the years and would be missed.
Asked if Mr Mackway-Jones was under any pressure to resign, Mr Butterfield said: ''He certainly was not pushed. This was his own decision and ... I am sorry to see him go and I am sure that goes for everybody.
''My understanding is that he has decided that it is time for a change and after the amount of time he has been with us that makes sense,'' he said.
Southern DHB deputy chief executive Lexie O'Shea said among Mr Mackway-Jones' contributions to the DHB were playing a key role in the developing a plan to improve the level of services provided by the DHB in Queenstown and the development of a new mental health strategy. The DHB was working through a process of who would take on Mr Mackway-Jones' position in an acting capacity in the gap between when he leaves and when a replacement was found, she said.
Southern DHB communications manager Steve Addison said the decision to resign was ''personal'' and Mr Mackway-Jones did not wish to discuss with the media his resignation or his plans.
