David William Meates is a New Zealand business leader in Christchurch, New Zealand, and son of former

All Black The New Zealand national rugby union team, commonly known as the All Blacks ( mi, Ōpango), represents New Zealand in men's international rugby union, which is considered the country's national sport. The team won the Rugby World Cup in 1987, ...

, Bill Meates. He was chief executive of Canterbury and West Coast District Health Boards until 4 September 2020. He resigned because of alleged pressure from the Ministry of Health, Crown monitor of the Health Board and

Canterbury District Health Board The Canterbury District Health Board (Canterbury DHB or CDHB) was a district health board with the focus on providing healthcare to the Canterbury, New Zealand, Canterbury region of New Zealand, north of the Rangitata River. It was responsible fo ...

over cost cutting measures. Meates was farewelled from his position by hundreds of people in a guard of honour. On 29 June 2022 he announced he will run in the race for Christchurch's mayoralty in the October local elections.

Early life and education

Meates was born in Christchurch, and is the seventh child of ten, having eight sisters and one brother. Meates attended high school at

St Bede's College, Christchurch St. Bede's College is a state integrated Roman Catholic day and boarding school in Christchurch, New Zealand, for boys aged 12 (Year 9) to 18 (Year 13). St. Bede's is the oldest Roman Catholic Boys' College in New Zealand's South Island. It is ...

. After finishing school he studied a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at

University of Canterbury The University of Canterbury ( mi, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha; postnominal abbreviation ''Cantuar.'' or ''Cant.'' for ''Cantuariensis'', the Latin name for Canterbury) is a public research university based in Christchurch, New Zealand. It was ...

. After graduating from

, Meates started as a Consultant at the Ministry of Agriculture. During his time in the role he met his now wife Julie and they travelled in Africa, India and Asia, before settling in the United Kingdom.

Career

In the United Kingdom Meates began working for BHS (formerly British Home Stores) for 6 years eventually becoming national marketing manager at BHS. He left his job at BHS to return home to New Zealand to take up the position of General Manager of Greymouth Hospital. One of Meates earliest challenges in the role was the 1995 Cave Creek disaster in which Meates was heavily involved in the identification of the bodies. Finishing up as Meates oversaw the controversial rebuild of the Hawkes Bay Hospital which involved a merger of Hastings and Napier hospitals.

Honours

In the

2014 Queen's Birthday Honours The 2014 Birthday Honours were appointments by some of the 16 Commonwealth realms of Queen Elizabeth II to various orders and honours to reward and highlight good works by citizens of those countries. The Birthday Honours are awarded as part of ...

, Meates was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to health.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Meates, David 1960s births Living people People from Christchurch New Zealand healthcare chief executives People educated at St Bede's College, Christchurch University of Canterbury alumni