Statement from  Mark Jacobs

There has been some discussion in recent days of my candidacy in the current election for Capital and Coast District Health Board.

My intention in putting my name forward was to try to add some value to the work  of the DHB, and to try to make a small contribution to the community I live in.

I also thought, and continue to believe, that potential conflicts of interest arising from my senior role providing public health clinical advice in the Ministry of Health, were manageable.

However, it was certainly not my intention to make life more complicated for either the DHB or the Ministry.

Some of the discussion in the last few days has indicated to me that if I was elected, some questions would likely continue to be asked about perceived conflicts of interest between the 2 roles.

As a result, to avoid the possibility that such questions could detract from my role as Director of Public Health, and the possibility that they could be a distraction for the DHB from its important work, as well as to ensure that another Wellingtonian has the opportunity of making a contribution by being elected to the Board, I have decided to withdraw my candidacy for this election.

I don't intend to make any further comment on my withdrawn candidacy.