Design of a MH&A Lived Experience National Representative Body
How people want to see themselves reflected
Te Kete Pounamu (TKP), alongside other Lived Experience partners, will work with tāngata, whānau, and communities across the motu to design what a Mental Health and Addiction (MH&A) Lived Experience National Representative Body could look like.
This mahi is led by those with lived and living experience of hauora hinengaro (mental distress), addiction (AOD), and co-existing experiences (CEE). It centres the voices of those most impacted, while recognising the strength, knowledge, and leadership that already exists within our communities.
Why this mahi matters
Right now, there is no consistent or unified national voice for lived experience in Aotearoa (besides us ahaha). That means decisions are often made about us, without us, or with only partial representation.
This kaupapa is about changing that.
A National Representative Body would:
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Provide a strong, collective voice for tāngata whai ora and whānau
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Influence decision-making at national, regional, and system levels
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Strengthen accountability across the mental health and addiction system
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Uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi and equity commitments
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Build trust between communities and the system by ensuring voices are not just heard, but acted on
Who this represents
At the centre of this mahi are:
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Tāngata – people with living realities of hauora hinengaro, addiction, and co-existing experiences
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Whānau – those who walk alongside, support, and are impacted by these experiences
Within this, we recognise the diversity and intersectionality of our communities. This includes, but is not limited to:
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Takatāpui
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Whaikaha (disabled communities)
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Rangatahi
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Māori, Pacific, and other priority populations
This is not a one-size-fits-all model. People need to see themselves in it, not feel like they have to squeeze into it.
What we are designing
This process will explore:
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Who would use a National Representative Body
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What kaupapa and issues it should focus on
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How it should operate in a way that is safe, inclusive, and effective
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How it connects local, regional, and national voices (bottom-up, not top-down)
TKP will lead engagement in a way that reflects our kaupapa:
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Kanohi ki te kanohi hui
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Online wānanga
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Whānau-centred kōrero
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Using existing trusted networks to reach deeper into communities
This is not about extracting stories. It’s about building something with people, not for them.
Consultations
More information will be provided regarding;
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Surveys
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Online sessions
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Community hui (kanohi ki te kanohi)
