New role for Dowie

FORMER National Party Invercargill MP Sarah Dowie is the new chief executive of mental health service provider the Able Charitable Trust.

Ms Dowie, who retired from politics at the last election after two terms as an electorate MP, begins her new job on Monday.

Able operates in Dunedin, Central Otago, Waitaki and Southland: it has four offices and about 30 staff.