Karl Metzler

“He oranga ngakau, he pikinga wairua” 

Karl is passionate about the Hokonui community and being part of the locality’s healthcare delivery. As CEO of Gore Health Ltd he is responsible for leading the delivery of a range of health services, from hospital, primary and oral healthcare to Molemap across the wider South Island.He is privileged to serve the nearly 160 incredibly dedicated staff that choose to work at Gore Health. 

Karl understands the challenges of rural healthcare and his innovative approach has put Gore Hospital at the forefront of new technological and workforce initiatives. From being a world first Beta testing site for HealthCare Robotics in the home, to the inaugural trial of Physician Associates in the Emergency Department, to a paperless fully electronic based facility, to mobile scheduling community services technology, virtual online health services, and strong focus and investment in ‘growing our own’ specialist nursing workforce. 

Originally a qualified clinical psychologist ,Karl earned a Diploma in Business Management from Waikato University, and in 2008 joined GHL as Tumu Whakarae. In addition to his duties at GHL, he has been seconded to Te Whatu Ora for several years, and more recently was responsible for a career highlight of leading the Southern Region’s Covid Vaccine rollout. Karl is married to pharmacist Ann La Hood, and they have three children Seba, Luca and Sophia. He has a sweet tooth, likes to go trout fishing, and take advantage of his Sky Sport subscription.