[1] The area covered by the 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 of 1 January 2001.

[2] The area can be adjusted through an Order in Council,[3] which happened on 30 June 2015, by clause 3 of the Health and Disability (Geographical Areas of DHBs) Order 2015, when Chatham Islands Territory was transferred to Canterbury District Health Board.

[5] The Hawke's Bay DHB's functions and operations were taken over by Te Whatu Ora's Central division.

The minister also appoints the chairperson and deputy-chair from the pool of eleven board members.

[7] The Board was replaced by a Commissioner, Sir John Anderson, during 2008 after criticising the government.