Nurse Maude Announces New Chief Executive

15 August 2025

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Louise Zacest as the new Chief Executive of Nurse Maude, effective 26th September 2025.


Louise brings more than two decades of leadership experience in the healthcare sector, with a career dedicated to improving health outcomes and building strong, collaborative partnerships.


Most recently, Louise was Chief Executive of UniMed, where she led the organisation through significant strategic growth and operational transformation over a four-year period to become New Zealand’s third largest health insurer. Prior to that, she held senior leadership roles at Healthcare NZ, including Acting CEO, and has extensive experience in developing innovative service models to meet community needs.

Louise Zacest

Her earlier career included seven years in the public health sector as Head of Business Development at Counties Manukau District Health Board, where she played a pivotal role in expanding services to meet the needs of diverse communities.


This appointment marks an exciting new chapter for Nurse Maude as we continue our mission of providing exceptional care and support to the communities we serve. Louise’s leadership will build on our proud 129-year history, while guiding us toward new opportunities to meet the changing needs of our patients, clients, and whānau.


Please join us in welcoming Louise to the Nurse Maude whānau. We look forward to the vision, expertise, and energy she will bring as we move forward together.


We also acknowledge and thank Jim Magee for his remarkable 19 years of leadership as Chief Executive. His dedication has shaped Nurse Maude into the organisation it is today, and his legacy will be felt for many years to come.

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14 September 2025
This Wills Week, we’re reminding our community of the importance of having a will - and the incredible impact you can make by leaving a gift to charity. A will gives you peace of mind, knowing your wishes will be carried out and your loved ones cared for. It can also be a powerful way to create a lasting legacy by supporting causes close to your heart. Why it’s important to have a will A will ensures your assets are distributed the way you want. It helps reduce stress and uncertainty for your loved ones. You can appoint guardians for your children. You can leave gifts to the charities you value, continuing your support beyond your lifetime. Gathered Here Partnership Nurse Maude, together with hospices across Aotearoa, has partnered with Gathered Here to make writing or updating your will simple, fast, and free. Gathered Here is a trusted online service where you can write a will in just 20 minutes. You’ll have the option to include a gift to Nurse Maude, ensuring that future generations can continue to receive the specialist palliative and hospice care that our community depends on. Every gift makes a difference A bequest, no matter the size, is a deeply meaningful way to support the care, compassion, and dignity we provide for patients and their whānau every day. Your generosity helps us continue our mission to care for people in their homes and in our hospice, free of charge. 
People running in a park. Text: Support Nurse Maude through Corporate Challenge 2025.
26 August 2025
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