Pohlen Hospital

About Us

Pohlen Hospital is a Community Charitable Trust Hospital situated in Matamata, in the Waikato.

The Pohlen Hospital Trust Board’s aim is to provide the best possible health and social services in the Matamata District, thus increasing the wellness of our community.

Whilst the Pohlen Hospital Trust provides some of the necessary health services, others are provided by other organisations working from the Pohlen Campus.

Pohlen is also an accredited Baby Friendly Hospital and is a member of the New Zealand Aged Care Association

At the 2009 Health Care Providers NZ Conference in Christchurch Pohlen was recognised by two major awards –
• The Quality Health NZ Innovative Delivery Award and
• Joint winners of the INsite Award for Overall Excellence in Aged Care!

Certification and Accreditation

Pohlen is certified by the Ministry of Health to provide a range of services including:

Hospital Care
Maternity Care
Medical Services
Geriatric Services
Surgical Services

We are also certified to provide Resthome Care.

Pohlen Hospital Board of Trustees

Robyn Steed (Chair)

Robin has 30 years of experience in the New Zealand Health Sector ranging from front line nursing to Executive Management.

She has advanced nursing qualifications and an MBA
from Waikato University. She is also a Ministry of Health approved auditor, so brings the key skill of critical analysis in relation to the monitoring and performance of health organisations.

Robin is a member of various regional health committees.

Robin’s focus for the past 10 years has been Rural health and she is currently the Chief Executive of the New Zealand Institute of Rural Health.

Leonie Tisch (Deputy Chair)

Leonie is no stranger to health having been appointed:
•    as a trustee on the Waikato Heart Trust in 1995,
•    as a director of the Waikato District Health Board from 2001-2004 (serving as the Chair of the WDHB Disability Services Advisory Committee, a member of the Community & Public Health Advisory Committee (CPHAC) and the Service & Campus Redevelopment Committee)
•    as a community representative on the Matamata-Piako/Waipa Community Health Forum

Leonie is a Matamata Piako District Councillor and Chairperson of the Council's Hearings Commission.   She is a member of the Rotary Club of Matamata (President 2009/10) and involved in many other community groups. Her leisure activity is golf and gardening.

Garry Stanley

Garry was formerly Managing Director of Stanley Construction Ltd and was Project Manager for the building of Pohlen Hospital.

He was a member of the Matamata Volunteer Fire Brigade for 26 years, including 15 years as Chief Fire Officer. He was President and is currently Patron of the United Fire Brigades Association of NZ and also the inaugural Chairman of Trustees of the United Fire Brigades Benevolent Fund.

From 1993 to 1997, Garry was a member of the NZ Fire Service Commission, governing the NZ Fire Service.

He is currently Chairman of the Matamata Community Health Shuttle Trust, a Matamata Piako District Councillor and a member of the Lions Club of Matamata.

Peter Thissen

Along with his wife, Ineke, Peter is a Managing Director of the local engineering supply business, The Boltholder Ltd. They have been in business for 29 years and currently employ 16 staff.

Peter has been involved in the Rotary Club of Matamata for 28 years. He was President in 2005 and has been Director of a number of the committees.

His other interests include: walking and tramping throughout New Zealand, fishing and golf. He is very passionate about nature and all birdlife.

Duncan Waterson

Duncan is married to Nadine and they have two young children. He was born and bred in Matamata and returned to his roots in 1995 after an extensive 4 year OE. Duncan joined Waterson Retailing in 1996 being General Manager and board member between 1999 and 2006. He was the Sponsorship Chair of the United Matamata Sports Club between 1997 and 2000.

In 2006 Duncan returned to his trade of home building becoming a Director and shareholder of the largest residential home builder in the Matamata Piako District unitl selling to his business partners in 2010. Currently he is a Director of 3 small companies involved in investing and developing property and PRIDE Homes NZ Limited a residential building company.

Through his involvement with SMEs Duncan has a sound knowledge of finance, human resources, project management and marketing. As a member of a longstanding local family he is passionate about the future of Matamata and Pohlen Hospital's role in the community.

David Gasquoine

David and his wife Cathy have been dairy farming in the Hinuera district for the past 25 years. They have two adult children, Claire and Mark, who are both living in the South Island.

David has been involved in Dairy Industry governance and representation for a number of years, most recently as Chair of the Learning and Development Committee for the Fonterra Shareholders' Council. He also sits on the Directors' Remuneration Committee for Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC).

David is currently a member of the Waikato Anglican College Trust Board which governs the St Paul's Collegiate School campus in Hamilton, as well as the Tihoi Venture School campus on the western side of Lake Taupo.

David is also a member of the Matamata Rotary Club and his other interests include some recreational road cycling as well as tramping.