title: Otago District Health Board
text: # Otago District Health Board
  
  The Otago District Health Board (Otago DHB) was a district health board with the focus on providing healthcare to an area covering most of Otago and Waitaki District in New Zealand.
  
  ## History
  
  The Otago District Health Board, like most other district health boards, came into effect on 1 January 2001 established by the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000.
  
  In May 2010, the Otago DHB merged with the Southland District Health Board to form the combined Southern District Health Board.
  
  ## Geographic area
  
  The area covered by the Otago District Health Board is defined in Schedule 1 of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000 and based on territorial authority and ward boundaries as constituted as at 1 January 2001. The area can be adjusted through an Order in Council.
  
  ## Governance
  
  The initial board was fully appointed. Since the 2001 local elections, the board has been partially elected (seven members) and in addition, up to four members get appointed by the Minister of Health. The minister also appoints the chairperson and deputy-chair from the pool of eleven board members.
  
  