Strategic documents
As lived experience leaders, understanding national strategy documents helps us grasp the direction, commitments and levers shaping the systems we seek to influence and improve. These documents set expectations for equity, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, consumer and whānau engagement, workforce development, rights, access, safety and transformation across Aotearoa.
Staying familiar with them strengthens our ability to advocate with confidence, connect local practice to national intent, and ensure lived experience perspectives are visible in decision-making, design, delivery and evaluation.
They also help us challenge tokenism, support authentic partnership, and ask sharper questions about whose voices are centred, who is missing, how priority communities are upheld, and how organisations will be accountable for meaningful change.
The following resources and national strategies will help CPSLE leaders in their advocacy.
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Code of Expectations for health entities engagement with consumers and whānau (2022) – HQSC
This code sets expectations for how health entities work with consumers, whānau and communities in planning, designing, delivering and evaluating health services.
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Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (n.d.) – Whaikaha | Ministry of Disabled People
This international human rights treaty explains how existing human rights apply to disabled people and what countries must do to uphold them.
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He Ara Āwhina framework (2022)– Mental Health & Wellbeing Commission | Te Hiringa Mahara
This framework describes what an ideal mental health and addiction system should look like, using lived experience and whānau voices to guide monitoring and advocacy.
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He Ara Oranga (2018) – Government Inquiry into Mental Health & Addiction
This inquiry report calls for a shift from a crisis-driven mental health and addiction system to one focused on wellbeing, prevention, equity, access and choice.
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Human Rights Commission New Zealand
This organisation promotes and protects human rights in Aotearoa, including dignity, equality, non-discrimination and accountability across systems and services.
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Me Haere Ngātahi Tātou: Shared Journeys- Voices of the Lived Experience Community report (2024) – Nōku te Ao
This report shares lived experience community voices from across Aotearoa and sets out recommendations to end prejudice and discrimination related to mental distress.
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New Zealand Health Plan: 2024-2027 – Health New Zealand |Te Whatu Ora
This three-year plan outlines how Health New Zealand will deliver publicly funded health services and improve access, consistency and outcomes across the motu.
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Ngā Paerewa Health and Disability Services Standard (Feb, 2022) – Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora
This standard sets quality and safety requirements for health and disability services, with a stronger focus on person- and whānau-centred care, equity and cultural safety.
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Oranga Hinengaro System and Service Framework (April 2023) – Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora
This framework sets a 10-year direction for mental health and addiction services, guided by Māori, lived experience, equity and locally responsive support.
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Pae Tū Hauora Māori Strategy (2023) – Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora
This strategy calls the health system to uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi, accelerate Māori health equity and work towards pae ora—healthy futures for Māori.
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Peer Support Workforce Paper (2023) – Mental Health & Wellbeing Commission| Te Hiringa Mahara
This paper highlights the value of the peer support and lived experience workforce in enabling recovery, building hope and transforming mental health and addiction services.
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Roadmap for Mental Health Addiction and Wellbeing (June 2026) Mental Health & Wellbeing Commission | Te Hiringa Mahara
This roadmap identifies where faster, more focused action is needed so the mental health, addiction and wellbeing system better meets people’s needs.
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Sovereignty of the Māori Mind (2024) – Nōku te Ao
This report uses a Kaupapa Māori lens to examine the root causes and institutional drivers of discrimination against Māori who experience mental distress.
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Te Manu Ola: Pacific Health Strategy (2023) – Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora
This strategy sets long-term priorities for Pacific health and wellbeing, recognising holistic Pacific worldviews and the importance of equity, community authority and culturally grounded services.
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Whakamaua Māori Health Action Plan (2020-2025) – Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora
This action plan gives effect to He Korowai Oranga by setting outcomes, objectives and actions to advance Māori health equity and pae ora.
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Whanaketia – Through pain and trauma, through darkness to light (2024) – Abuse in State Care Inquiry
This final inquiry report documents abuse and neglect in State and faith-based care and makes recommendations to prevent future harm and support accountability and redress.
