Dr Ashley Bloomfield is stepping down as the Director-General of Health.
The announcement was made on Wednesday morning by the Public Service Commission, the department that oversees the heads of other government departments like the Ministry of Health.
Dr Bloomfield's last day in the job will be July 29.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in an Instagram post Dr Bloomfield had been central to our Covid success as a nation, "and he’s done it with humour and grace".
"In every sense of the word - through his tireless dedication, his focus on people, his calm and considered approach - he has been a true public servant."
Bloomfield told her he wanted to spend more time with his family, "and that’s the least we owe him", she said.
Public Service Commissioner Peter Hughes said Bloomfield had done an "outstanding job leading the Government’s health response to Covid-19 and the vaccination rollout."
Dr Bloomfield signalled to the Commission late last year that he wanted to step down before his term officially ended in June 2023.
Mr Hughes said Dr Bloomfield has worked tirelessly for more than two years to keep New Zealanders safe from coronavirus.
“Dr Bloomfield has demonstrated remarkable resilience and courage in leading the health system’s overall response to Covid-19. That response has saved lives."
“Dr Bloomfield always wanted to stay until New Zealand was in a good place with coronavirus. That time is now.”
A new Director-General of Health will be appointed before Bloomfield finishes in July.
Top Image: Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield speaking at a press conference last year. (File photo) Photo: Getty Images
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