Abstract
Clinical leadership has been on the New Zealand policy agenda since the launch of the 2009 In Good Hands report, yet performance in supporting its development has been variable. The 2016 New Zealand Health Strategy renews the emphasis on clinical leadership, but with few details for what this is, what the expectations are and how clinical leadership might be supported. This article backgrounds the field and provides some pointers for policymakers and the sector if New Zealand is to take the lead on clinical leadership.