Max Abbott

Max is Dean of the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor of Psychology and Public Health and Co-director of the National Institute for Public Health and Mental Health Research. He also directs two of the Institute’s Centres. Prior to becoming Dean in 1991, Max was founding National Director (CEO) of the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand, a position he held for ten years. During his presidency of the World Federation for Mental Health (1991–1993) he also co-chaired the first World Mental Health Day.

Max is a board member and past Deputy Chair of the Waitemata District Health Board, an advisor to Health Workforce New Zealand, senior consultant to the World Federation for Mental Health and a member of the Ministerial Forum on Alcohol Advertising and Sponsorship. He is a director/board member of various other health and research organisations in New Zealand and internationally. His areas of expertise include mental health, problem gambling and addictions, public health, migrant health and psychiatric epidemiology.