03/11/2025
We are delighted to welcome Brent Cooper to Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora in Whanganui as our new Associate Director | Kaiwhakahaere Matua, Mental Health and Addiction. Brent joins us after more than 20 years at MidCentral, bringing with him a wealth of experience, a deep commitment to whānau wellbeing, and a strong belief in the power of community-driven care.
Raised in rural Hamilton, Brent’s first steps were in agriculture studies but his true calling led him to complete a Masters in Social Work, opening a path into mental health and addiction care. Over the years, he has worked across New Zealand and the UK, practicing talking therapies and helping to shape services and support people through some of life’s toughest challenges. Brent’s wife is a practice nurse in Palmerston North, and together they are raising three children, including one who is following in their father’s footsteps by studying to become a social worker.
Brent was drawn to Whanganui because of the way we do things here: “Whanganui Hospital works in a way that really supports our community and their needs. Relationships are strong - from leadership through to frontline teams, and best practice is woven into the way clinicians care for people. I plan to instil evidence-based models, because the community deserves our best.’
He believes our kaimahi are the true engine room of mental health and addiction care: “If we keep our people well supported and high-performing, that lifts not only our staff but also our community. This includes prioritising teams working bi-culturally, acknowledging most of us are on the bicultural journey”.
Brent sees great opportunities to build on the strong teamwork and therapies focus already in place across community addiction and mental health teams, Te Awhina, MHAHT, Stanford House, and the wider mental health and addiction network. His vision is to embed and strengthen these connections even further, “When we add strength, team-based work-flows and good support to our mental health teams, it translates to flourishing lives, both for our staff and for our tangata whai ora.”
Since arriving, Brent has been struck by the culture of care here noting that, “Whanganui may be a smaller hospital, but the mahi is outstanding. Relationships are close-knit, and in districts like this one, we’re investing deeply into our community. That family connection adds a unique depth to the way we provide care.”
Outside of work, Brent recharges through dirt-bike and mountain-bike riding with his whānau, further study, as well as indulging his love of native trees and American cars too.
Nau mai, haere mai Brent! We are excited to have your leadership, vision, and passion here in Whanganui.
