Council members role
Council members are initially appointed for a term of two or three years and may be reappointed for two more terms. Their role is to make sure the requirements of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 are carried out. They also set the Pharmacy Council’s strategic direction and monitor the performance of management.
Meet the current Pharmacy Council members
Ben Oldfield
BPharm (Hons), RegPharmNZ
Ben was appointed to the Pharmacy Council in August 2025. He is a New Zealand registered pharmacist focussed on ensuring pharmacy systems and processes are safe and robust, and that the pharmacy workforce is well equipped and enabled to do their best for patients.
As Head Pharmacist for New Zealand Clinical Research, he leads a team across NZCR sites. His experience spans community pharmacy, clinical trials, and operational leadership teams. Ben values doing what is right for patients, continuous system improvement, error prevention strategies and factors that safeguard patients through the healthcare system.
Chris Jay
BSc (Hons) Pharmacy, MSc Clinical Pharmacy, PG Cert Strategic Studies, RegPharmNZ
Chris was appointed to the Pharmacy Council in August 2025. He is a future-focused pharmacist with over 33 years of experience across a variety of health care settings in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Based in Wellington, Chris works as Manager Practice and Policy at the Pharmaceutical Society. He has governance experience as a Director of the Pharmacy Defence Association, previous executive member and vice president of the New Zealand Hospital Pharmacy Association. He was a key representative on a variety of health-related committees in New Zealand and has worked at a national level with various organisations in the UK.
Throughout his career Chris has been fortunate to establish and maintain key working relationships with a variety health professionals across New Zealand, Canada, Australia and the UK.
His focus has always been, and will continue to be, keeping the patient at the centre of every activity undertaken.
David Postlewaight
BPharm, RegPharmNZ
David was appointed to the Pharmacy Council in August 2025. He brings over 20 years of diverse experience in pharmacy, including several years practising in the Republic of Ireland. With a strong focus on driving efficiency and optimising processes in both pharmacy and business, David has developed this expertise through 12 years of pharmacy ownership; work that has been recognised with a number of awards in both sectors.
David currently holds dual roles. Based in Northland, he is employed by Te Hiku Hauora in Kaitaia as a CPCT Practice Pharmacist and also works as a contracted Locum Community Pharmacist across the North Island, with a particular focus on supporting rural pharmacies. He has a deep interest in rural health and the unique challenges faced by these communities.
He currently serves as a trustee on both the Matarau School Board and the charitable trust Ruby’s Voice, and has previously held advisory roles, including three years on the Medicines Management Group (Northland).
Di Vicary
Di was appointed to the Pharmacy Council in 2026 and is a highly skilled pharmacist with over 30 years’ experience. Based in the Hawkes Bay, her career started in dispensing in a variety of community pharmacy settings across New Zealand and the UK.
For over 20 years she has focused on clinical management, training, policy and service development, research, and portfolio management, delivering projects for local, regional, and national organisations.
Di currently works for Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora as a Clinical Pharmacist and System Lead for Medicines.
John Roberts
ACA, BBA
Lisa Burns
Lisa was appointed to the Pharmacy Council in 2026. Based in Auckland, Lisa has extensive senior management experience in leading national health and social sector organisations.
Lisa is currently the Interim Chief Executive Officer at Dove Hospice & Wellness. She was previously Chief Executive for Cystic Fibrosis NZ, where she secured funded access to Trikafta, one of New Zealand’s most significant public health breakthroughs, and expanded service reach by 80%. She has worked in a range of marketing and engagement roles, including as GM Marketing and Fundraising for Dementia Auckland and New Zealand.
Natalia Nu’u
BPharm (Hons), BSc, RegPharmNZ
Natalia was appointed to the Pharmacy Council in November 2021. She is a pharmacist and co-owner of an Auckland pharmacy and has worked in community pharmacy since 2002.
Natalia is an honorary academic at the University of Auckland School of Pharmacy and a clinical mentor as part of the Pharmaceutical Society EVOLVE Intern Training Programme.
A proud Samoan, Natalia has a passion for helping the Pacific community and promoting the pharmacy profession to Pacific youth. She is a founding member and Executive Board Member of the Pacific Pharmacists’ Association; a network for the Pacific pharmacy workforce around New Zealand that acts as representation for their members on issues and in initiatives that concern the profession and the delivery of Health services to the Pacific Community.
Vicky Chan
BPharm(Hons I), RegPharmNZ
Vicky was appointed to the Pharmacy Council in 2026. Based in Auckland, Vicky is an award-winning pharmacy leader, governance professional, and healthcare innovator with more than 20 years’ experience across clinical pharmacy, primary care development, workforce leadership, and health equity in Aotearoa New Zealand.
As Clinical Lead and Director of Unichem Pakuranga, Vicky has established one of New Zealand’s leading community pharmacy service models, improving access to primary care through integrated, community-based clinical services and targeted outreach to diverse and underserved populations.
Her contributions through the National Health Regulatory and Coordination Centre, The Ministry of Health and the Immunisation Advisory Centre have strengthened vaccination access, culturally safe practice, and equitable service delivery across Auckland.