Te Whatu Ora - Health NZ board chair Rob Campbell has been sacked by Health Minister Ayesha Verrall after inappropriate comments on social media.

“I no longer have confidence that Mr Campbell is able to exercise the political neutrality necessary for his role at Te Whatu Ora,” Verrall said.

“I have decided to exercise my power under section 36 of the Crown Entities Act to remove him from this role, effective immediately,” she said.

Verrall said she “raised with Mr Campbell serious concerns about the political nature of his recent social media comments”.

Campbell is in trouble for a LinkedIn post slamming National’s Three Waters policy accusing the party of blowing the “dog whistle on co-governance”.

He also personally attacked National’s leader, writing: “Christopher Luxon might be able to rescue his party from stupidity on climate change but rescuing this from a well he has dug himself might be harder.”

Verrall said it is “of vital importance that all Public Service board members, especially Chairs, uphold the political neutrality required under the Code of Conduct which they sign upon appointment”.

“I will announce a new permanent chair in due course,” she said.

 “I thank Mr Campbell for his contribution since the establishment of Te Whatu Ora last year,” she said.

Campbell is also the chair of the Environment Protection Authority, and responsible to Environment Minister David Parker.

It is not clear whether he will stay on in that role.