Mr Carlton Irving has a background of as a critical care flight paramedic, who has worked in a variety of clinical settings and large scale responses over the last 20 years including the Christchurch earthquake response in 2011 and Papua New Guinea Earthquake in 2018. He is the inaugural chair of Te Kaunihera Manapou (Paramedic Council), and also was the Chief Clinical Officer for Allied Health with Te Aka Whai Ora/Maori Health Authority, and is currently the chief clinical officer - allied health for Te Whatu Ora Hauora Maori Service Directorate, where he provides strategic leadership and advice on policy and large scale national projects. He is dedicated to reducing inequity and improving health outcomes for Maori. Outside of this Mr Irving is also a trainee intern at Hastings Hospital, having studied at the University of Otago Medical School.