David Meates
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix =
| name = David Meates
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=NZL|MNZM|size=100%}}
| image = David Meates 655 (cropped).jpg
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| alt = Portrait of David Meates leaving his roles as CE of Canterbury District Health Board
| caption = Meates in 2020
| birth_name = David William Meates
| birth_date = {{Birth based on age as of date|df=yes|47|2009|3|28}}
| birth_place = Christchurch, New Zealand
| education =
| alma_mater = University of Canterbury
| occupation = Business executive
| years_active = since 1988
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| spouse = Julie Meates
| partner =
| children = 3
| relatives = {{ubl|Bill Meates (father){{cite news |first=Olivia |last=Carville |title=Accidental career is now in his blood |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/8689559/Accidental-career-is-now-in-his-blood |work=Fairfax Media |publisher=Stuff |date=18 May 2013 |access-date=19 April 2022}}|Kevin Meates (uncle)}}
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David William Meates {{post-nominals|country=NZL|MNZM}}{{cite web |title=David Meates MNZM {{!}} The Governor-General of New Zealand |url=https://gg.govt.nz/images/david-meates-mnzm |website=gg.govt.nz |language=en}} is a New Zealand business leader in Christchurch, New Zealand, and son of former All Black, Bill Meates. He was chief executive of Canterbury and West Coast District Health Boards until 4 September 2020.{{cite web |title=Resignation of David Meates, Chief Executive Officer |url=https://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/article/undoctored/resignation-david-meates-chief-executive-officer |website=New Zealand Doctor |language=en}}
He resigned because of alleged pressure from the Ministry of Health, Crown monitor of the Health Board and Canterbury District Health Board over cost cutting measures.{{cite news |title=Ex-DHB bosses: Why we left |url=https://www.newsroom.co.nz/why-we-left-ex-dhb-bosses-speak-out |work=Newsroom |date=11 September 2020 |language=en-AU}} Meates was farewelled from his position by hundreds of people in a guard of honour.{{cite news |title=Canterbury DHB CEO farewelled with guard of honour from hundreds of supporters |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/09/canterbury-dhb-ceo-farewelled-with-guard-of-honour-from-hundreds-of-supporters.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902213627/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/09/canterbury-dhb-ceo-farewelled-with-guard-of-honour-from-hundreds-of-supporters.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 September 2020 |work=Newshub |language=en}}
On 29 June 2022 he announced he will run in the race for Christchurch's mayoralty in the October local elections.{{cite news |title=David Meates confirms Christchurch mayoralty bid: 'We can do better than basic' |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/129099360/david-meates-confirms-christchurch-mayoralty-bid-we-can-do-better-than-basic |work=Stuff |language=en}}
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.{{cite news |first=Kim |last=Thomas |date=28 March 2009 |title=New health boss well prepared for the challenge |url= https://www.pressreader.com/new-zealand/the-press/20090328/281754150246367 |work=The Press |via=pressreader.com}} After finishing school he studied a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at University of Canterbury.{{cite web |last1=Meates |first1=David |title=Linkedin |url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-meates-954520154/details/education/ |website=Linkedin}}{{bsn|date=June 2024}} After graduating from University of Canterbury, 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, Meates was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to health.{{cite web |url=https://www.dpmc.govt.nz/publications/queens-birthday-honours-list-2014 |title=Queen's Birthday honours list 2014 |date=2 June 2014 |publisher=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet |access-date=4 March 2022}}