Cook Islands paediatric surgeon Dr Kiki Maoate has been appointed Chair of Fatu Fono Ola, New Zealand's Pacific Health Senate.
It's an independent advisory board which provides strategic advice to Te Whatu Ora, health New Zealand.
He takes over from Sir Collin Tukuitonga who resigned in December because he was unhappy with the new coalition government.
RNZ Pacific's Caleb Fotheringham spoke with Dr Maoate and began by asking him how he feels about his new appointment.