Sara Shaughnessy

Tena Koutou Katoa, Ko Sara Shaughnessy tōku ingoa, Ko Kaiwhakahaere (Chief Executive) at Hauora Matua Te Tai Aorere (Nelson Bays Primary Health). Sara joined Nelson Bays Primary Health in June 2020 as the Chief Executive. 

He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata

(What is the most important thing in the world? It is the people, it is the people, it is the people) 

Sara’s background is in health leadership roles across Aotearoa (New Zealand) and Australia. Sara moved back home to New Zealand in 2020, after 10 years of living in Australia, working in health care management. Sara has a background in strategic health operational management and leadership in a variety of clinical service delivery settings including primary, secondary, and tertiary.  

Prior to coming home, Sara’s role was Director Mental Health and Integrated Care. This role offered opportunities to explore a health service which was focused in whānau and community needs. It bridged primary and community care settings to ensure real outcomes into communities. Sara is a registered nurse, who has maintained competencies and worked in many areas of health care and has a Master of Health Science endorsed Health Sciences from Otago University.

Sara lives in Nelson where she has four mokopuna (grandchildren) who she enjoys spending time with and spends her spare time exploring the beautiful outdoors of Te Tau Ihu!