Publications
From our formation through to today, we have done and contributed to a lot of mahi in the mental health and addiction spaces.
The following excerpt is shared with permission from an email written by Kiri Richards, expressing her appreciation to the public -
"Tēnā koutou,
Thank you for your support and engagement in the development of the Government’s Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2025-2029.
I am pleased to advise that the action plan is now published and available here.
The action plan focuses on closing gaps and ensuring more people can access the support they need.
It contains 21 new health-led actions and 13 new cross-agency actions, with clear leads, milestones, and completion dates to ensure accountability for delivery. These actions will supplement and support work already underway in the community.
Implementation will be supported by existing suicide prevention investment of $20 million per year, plus $16 million per year that has been allocated to improve access to mental health and suicide prevention supports through initiatives identified in the plan.
We recognise that contributing to this work may not have been easy for some. We are especially grateful to those who shared personal experiences. Your voices have been essential in shaping this action plan.
Ngā manaakitanga,
Kiri Richards
Acting Deputy Director-General, Clinical, Community & Mental Health | Te Pou Whakakaha, Manatu Hauora - Ministry of Health
Ministry of Health - 2025
The Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2025–2029 is the second Government suicide prevention action plan under the strategy, and it sets out the 21 Health-led actions and 13 cross-agency actions that agencies will undertake from 2025 to 2029 to prevent suicide. It builds on the current suicide prevention system and the ongoing initiatives from the 2019–2024 action plan.
This report presents a reflexive thematic analysis of feedback from Māori individuals with lived or living experience, specifically related to the SPAP Draft 2025–2029. Feedback collected through face-to-face consultations, surveys, and online discussions ensured a broad range of Māori voices were included in the development of this national initiative. The consultation aimed to provide Māori communities with an opportunity to directly influence suicide prevention strategies, ensuring their perspectives, needs, and values were reflected in the final plan.
The report emphasises that suicide prevention in the Māori context must be approached holistically, considering not only mental health but also the physical, emotional, spiritual, and social dimensions of well-being. Māori values, practices, and worldviews must be embedded in the design and implementation of suicide prevention strategies to ensure their relevance and long-term success. It highlights the need for an approach that respects Māori culture, language, and tikanga while remaining flexible to address the varied needs of all communities across Aotearoa.
Māori Lived Experience Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2024
Te Kete Pounamu - 2024
In response to the SPAP Draft 2025–2029, this report synthesizes the key discussions, insights, and recommendations gathered through consultation with Māori communities across Aotearoa, who have lived and living experiences of hauora hinengaro, survivors by experience, and whānau bereaved. The feedback provides critical perspectives that aim to inform the development of a more culturally responsive and effective suicide prevention action strategy in Aotearoa.
Te Kete Pounamu - 2024
Delve into 'Tika,' the first part of our thought-provoking comic series on reimagining history and shaping a better future together. Discover a unique narrative that challenges perspectives and inspires change. Engage with powerful storytelling that sparks dialogue and fosters unity within our community.
Māori Lived Experience Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2024
Te Kete Pounamu - 2024
In response to the SPAP Draft 2025–2029, this report synthesizes the key discussions, insights, and recommendations gathered through consultation with Māori communities across Aotearoa, who have lived and living experiences of hauora hinengaro, survivors by experience, and whānau bereaved. The feedback provides critical perspectives that aim to inform the development of a more culturally responsive and effective suicide prevention action strategy in Aotearoa.
Ministry of Health - 2025
The Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2025–2029 is the second Government suicide prevention action plan under the strategy, and it sets out the 21 Health-led actions and 13 cross-agency actions that agencies will undertake from 2025 to 2029 to prevent suicide. It builds on the current suicide prevention system and the ongoing initiatives from the 2019–2024 action plan.
Nōku Te Ao - Series Part 1: Māori Lived Experience of Discrimination
C Bell, L Maraku, & M Baker - 2022
This delves into the clash between Western diagnostic labels and Māori cultural perspectives, highlighting how a westernised clinical focus on mental health overlooks a Māori holistic wellbeing approach, including emotional, physical, social, and spiritual dimensions. It details Te Kete Pounamu's hui, discussing how to effectively support Māori by adopting culturally resonant language and models, emphasising the importance of sharing Māori stories to authentically integrate Māori views into care practices.
Nōku Te Ao - Series Part 2: Colonial Influence
C Bell, L Maraku, & M Baker - 2022
This examines the profound impact of colonialism on the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health in Aotearoa, especially among Māori. It scrutinises the historical context, exploring how colonial attitudes and policies shaped perceptions and treatments of mental wellbeing. It delves into the role of media in perpetuating stereotypes, the evolution of mental health policies, and the lasting effects of colonial legacies on Māori mental health and societal attitudes, emphasising the need for change.
Nōku Te Ao - Series Part 3: Māori: A Spiritual People
C Bell, L Maraku, & M Baker - 2022
Explores the rich spiritual heritage of Māori. This paper details the profound relationship between Māori and their land, and emphasised connections between physical and spiritual elements of the world. It highlights the significant role of ngā atua in Māori culture and how colonial influences impacted Māori spirituality. The paper provides an in-depth understanding of traditional Māori beliefs and practices, offering a window into their spiritual world and its evolution in contemporary times.
E Wikaire, K Wikaire-Mackey, S Graham, M Naera, & M Durie – 2022
This report, guided by a Kaupapa Māori perspective, examines the deep-seated and institutional origins of discrimination against Māori with lived experience. It highlights colonisation, racism, socioeconomic issues, and varying views on mental health as key contributors. Developed by Erena Wikaire, Kayla Wikaire-Mackey (Ivy League Limited), Tā Mason Durie, Shaquille Graham, and Michael Naera, it offers insights and strategies for addressing these challenges, emphasising a Māori worldview on overcoming discrimination.
‘Repeal, Replace & Remove the Mental Health Act’ Submission
Te Kete Pounamu - 2022
In 2021, The Government of Aotearoa welcomed Public Consultation on the Repeal and Replace of the Mental Health Act. Māori Leaders with Lived Experiences gathered to provide their views to the Repeal and Replace of the Mental Health Act and included the Removal of the Mental Health Act as a significant shift needed in Aotearoa. This document is a Call to Action by Māori Lived Experience Leaders to the Government – We want to see Change and Authentic Actions follow through on our following concerns.
Mā Purapura Mai: Māori Leadership
K Butler & T Rangahau - 2019
Mā Purapura Mai is a Māori lived experienced leadership kaupapa (programme) delivered by Te Rau Ora (formerly Te Rau Matatini). The Dynamics of Whanaungatanga (relationships) were incorporated as a foundation framework to support tauira (students) to grow, develop and strengthen their knowledge and skills as lived experienced leaders able to use their mātauranga (knowledge) to influence positive health outcomes for tangata whaiora at all levels of the sector.
K Paipa, S Hayward, K Hamilton, & D Leaoasavaii - 2022
In 2022 Te Rau Ora were commissioned by the Ministry of Health to conduct a review of the Ministry’s covid-19/Omicron response. A total of 33 interviews were conducted with whānau, community stakeholders and health providers in Pacific, dis-abled and Māori communities. The findings show that the Ministry of Health did not take equity into account when responding to Covid-19 and ten recommendations are made.
K Paipa, S Hayward, K Hamilton, & D Leaoasavaii - 2022
In 2022 Te Rau Ora were commissioned by the Ministry of Health to conduct a review of the Ministry’s covid-19/Omicron response. A total of 33 interviews were conducted with whānau, community stakeholders and health providers in Pacific, dis-abled and Māori communities. The findings show that the Ministry of Health did not take equity into account when responding to Covid-19 and ten recommendations are made.
K Paipa, S Hayward, K Hamilton, & D Leaoasavaii - 2022
In 2022 Te Rau Ora were commissioned by the Ministry of Health to conduct a review of the Ministry’s covid-19/Omicron response. A total of 33 interviews were conducted with whānau, community stakeholders and health providers in Pacific, dis-abled and Māori communities. The findings show that the Ministry of Health did not take equity into account when responding to Covid-19 and ten recommendations are made.
Employment of Māori Staff
Te Rau Ora - 2019
This reflective tool relates to the recruitment, selection, retention & advancement of Māori staff in the health sector.
K McClintock, M Haereroa, & M Baker - 2018
A national approach to Trauma Informed Care in Aotearoa (New Zealand) relevant to Māori (Indigenous people) must consider the effects of historical, cumulative, intergenerational and situational trauma. Seminal to this is an understanding of a pre-European Māori society where whānau violence was not acceptable nor common (Cooper, 2012; Durie, 2001; Jenkins & Harte, 2011; Pihama et al, 2017; Te Puni Kōkiri, 2008, Walker, 1990; Wirihana & Smith, 2014).
Te Rau Matatini - 2015
The purpose of this report is to present the discussion and aspirations of Māori with lived personal and whānau experiences of mental illness and mental health services who met at Waikato Tainui College for Research and Development, Ngaruawahia, in September 2015. The Making a Stand for Change Hui was the second hui hosted by Te Rau Matatini, following a June 2015 hui facilitated by Kerri Butler (Take Notice Ltd) and Te Rau Matatini.
Dr Maria Baker – 2015
People with lived experience of mental health challenges and receiving mental health services attended a one day hui in Auckland to share their thoughts of being under the mental health act and of acute mental health care. The hui encouraged shared discussions with key reflections, aspirations and insights.
A Sokratov, & J M O’Brien - 2014
This report gives us that evidence, born out of the collective desire of rangatahi mental health and addiction services across New Zealand to document their common successes and challenges. It draws on the collective experiences of 21 services across New Zealand, compelling insights from the people who are working at the grassroots and making a difference for rangatahi.
Te Rau Matatini - 2006
Kia Puāwai Te Ararau the National Māori Mental Health Workforce Development Strategic Plan provides a strategic focus for Māori mental health workforce development over the next 5 years, and aims to align workforce development with Māori mental health needs. It seeks to develop the current and future Māori workforce through a cross-sector, all-age inclusive approach to mental health and workforce development.
Te Rau Matatini – 2008
The Puna Hua Rangatira conference introduced, connected, reconnected, and facilitated opportunities for tangata whaiora to discuss and hear presentations from both panel members and Puna Hua Rangatira reference group members, guest speakers, and tangata whaiora working in mental health and alcohol or addiction services in Aotearoa.