Standing strong: Kia Mataara empowers the CPLSE workforce

For kaimahi with lived experience of mental health and addiction, the Kia Mataara peer training 12-week programme is proving transformational, says Amanda Bradley, National Manager of Consumer, Peer Support and Lived Experience (CPSLE) at Te Pou.

The training was originally developed and implemented by Pathways with the intention to validate and support the experiential knowledge of the lived experience workforce. In 2024, it was gifted to Te Pou and launched earlier this year to the wider mental health and addiction (MHA) workforce.

The programme weaves te ao Māori values such as whanaungatanga, manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga together with peer values and competencies, and is available to people with lived experience working in a CPSLE role in the MHA sector.

“There is no other peer training in the country that does this... [and] it is absolutely transformational and empowering for kaimahi with lived experience,” says Amanda.

The ripple effect of the programme

The first training began in May in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, bringing together kaimahi from Christchurch, Auckland and Rotorua from a variety of backgrounds including housing, employment, maternal mental health and general mental health and addiction services.

“It was a small group, but a powerful group,” says Amanda. “Each and every one of the participants has been so positive. The ripple effect is the confidence that comes through from doing this course.

“Kia Mataara means ‘stand strong’, and that’s what the training does – it gives you strength in knowing the value of what you are providing, and a sense of pride in your lived experience.”

She says the benefits of the training have also been noticed by participants’ managers.

“There are some powerful stories, and to know we are creating a workforce that has the tools to share their experiences safely in a peer support role is just fantastic.”

Practical tools and setting boundaries

Jay Levae, an employment consultant from Workwise in Rotorua, says that Kia Mataara helped him develop confidence in how to use his own lived experience of mental health and addiction in his mahi.

“One thing I learnt was how to use my story safely, and with intention, to help tāngata whai ora,” says Jay, who has lived experience of depression, anxiety, addiction and neurodiversity.

“Using my lived experience creates a shared understanding. While not the same, I’ve been through community mental health services and had to advocate for myself. I can use that story to create le va, that safe space of shared understanding.”

Jay, who is of Samoan heritage, appreciated that the programme was designed specifically for kaimahi working in Aotearoa New Zealand.

“It gave me practical tools I can use every day and helped me know where my boundaries are. If they’re being crossed, I’m more aware now, and that’s key to keeping me safe in my role.”

He also valued the encouragement and support he received from his manager and organisation.

“I’d recommend Kia Mataara to anyone working in mental health and addiction who wants to understand how to use lived experience better – team leaders, senior leaders and kaimahi.”

Strengthening relationships and leading systems change

Awatea Hawke, Lived Experience Lead at Housing First Auckland, was part of the first cohort to complete the Kia Mataara programme. He says the training gave him a safe space to reflect, connect and grow as a lived experience leader.

“I’d absolutely recommend it to others,” says Awatea. “It was a great chance to reflect on the importance of lived experience in the health and housing sectors, and how I can use my own lived experience safely in my mahi to lead and contribute to systems change.”

Awatea enjoyed learning alongside others with lived experience from diverse professional and personal backgrounds.

“Kia Mataara gave me an opportunity to strengthen peer-led approaches in our Housing First community, and a framework to foster more meaningful partnerships with others in the health sector.”

“We have seen him go to the next level through this training,” says his manager, Rami Alrudaini. “He is a very quiet, humble man, and now he’s energised with great ideas and knows where he wants to take things in his career.”

Who is Kia Mataara for?

Kia Mataara is open to anyone working in a CPSLE role within the mental health and addiction sector. Participants must have their own lived experience of mental health and/or addiction and be looking to use that experience safely and meaningfully in their work.

“You don’t have to be a peer support worker,” says Amanda. “You could be a leader who wants to lead through their lived experience. You could lead a team of peer workers, be a researcher, an advisor or a whānau worker. If you use your lived experience in your mahi, this training can help you do it well.”

Participants should already be working in the MHA sector and have a good general understanding of its language and practice.

What’s involved?

The 12-week training includes:

• a two-day in-person workshop to build relationships and connection
• five weekly online workshops (three hours each) covering CPSLE competencies
• reflective practice sessions
• one-on-one professional conversations about applying the training in practice.

Participants need to:

• be working in a CPSLE role
• have lived experience of mental health and/or addiction
• hold a minimum level 4 qualification in mental health and wellbeing
• obtain employer support
• commit to all training sessions and modules.

The programme is currently not funded and costs $2020 + GST (excluding travel). The next training may take place in Christchurch in October (to be confirmed).

Register your interest

To find out more or register your interest in Kia Mataara, contact Amanda Bradley, National Manager of Consumer, Peer Support and Lived Experience (CPSLE) at Te Pou at amanda.bradley@tepou.co.nz