Introducing the design project

Lived Experience organisations Changing Minds, Te Kete Pounamu, Balance Aotearoa, and Thriving Madly, supported by Synergia, will collaborate with Lived Experience communities to answer the following question—

What could a Mental Health and Addiction Lived Experience National Representative Body look like?

The project has been commissioned by the Ministry of Health to design the purpose, functions, form, and features of a potential National Representative Body. It will not make final decisions about establishing the body, funding arrangements, or implementation details—it is an opportunity to strengthen how tāngata whaiora and whānau voice is heard, used and answered in mental health and addiction spaces.

Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Māori voice are priority considerations in this work. The process is intended to be informed by tikanga, Māori leadership, and specific attention to how Māori authority and Indigenous voice should shape the design of any future body. This includes considering whether Māori voice is embedded within the body, partnered with it, or reflected through distinct governance or representative arrangements.

At its core, the design of this body will—

• Be representative of tāngata whaiora and whānau experience

• Make sure that mental health and addictions systems in Aotearoa are accountable

• Clearly action and fulfil Te Tiriti o Waitangi and equity commitments

• Ensure that Lived Experience is at the forefront of decision-making

• Strengthen trust and relationships between communities and the health system.