Interested in being a part of our consumer network?

We have a mission to work with the people of our community to promote, encourage and enable their health, well-being and independence. To achieve this, we recognise that individuals, families, whānau and communities need a voice in the system. We know that engaging with you as our health consumers provides many benefits for not only our community but healthcare workers and providers.

We would like you to be a part of this.

If you are interested in helping us grow our consumer network, please register using the link below.

Click here to fill out an expression of interest form

Current Consumer Opportunities

Consumer opportunities with Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission

Health services, including hospitals, government agencies and other services, require consumer representatives to co-design the planning, design, delivery and evaluation of health services.

Here are the current open opportunities for consumers to get involved.

Please note Te Tāhū Hauora publishes these opportunities on behalf of a range of different agencies and groups in the health sector.
Please contact each provider directly using the information provided in the listing.

Share You Pregnancy

Share your pregnancy and birth with an Ara midwifery student.

Every pregnant woman has her own unique experience of pregnancy, labour, birth and parenting. Sharing this time with a student midwife provides a valuable opportunity for the student to appreciate the individuality of each woman and her family/whānau.

For more details, click here.

Feel good and function well: Understanding our mental wellbeing and how to care for ourselves

The eighth in a series of lectures supported by The Care Foundation.

Click here to watch online

Nelson Bays Primary Health Consumer Advisory Group

Click here to learn more

Regional Consumer Councils

Health NZ is opening Expressions of Interest for four new Regional Consumer Councils to strengthen the voice of the consumer.

Expressions of interest in Council membership are sought from 13 May – 3 June and members will be announced by 21 June.

Click here to learn more

Te Whatu Ora Stakeholder Hui

We hold regular virtual hui for our sector and service provider stakeholders. To receive invitations to future hui, sign up for our stakeholder newsletter.

All previous recorded hui can be viewed here.

2024 Stakeholder hui dates & times

Wednesday 10 April (9.00 - 9.45am)
Tuesday 7 May (3.00 - 3.45pm)
Thursday 6 June (9.00 - 9.45am)
Tuesday 2 July (3.00 - 3.45pm)
Thursday 8 August (1.00 - 1.45pm)
Thursday 5 September (9.00 - 9.45am)
Thursday 3 October (3.00 - 3.45pm)
Thursday 7 November (9.00 - 9.45am)
Wednesday 4 December (9.00 - 9.45am)

Surveys Open to Give Feedback

Mārama Survey:

Give feedback on Mental Health
& Addictions services

Mārama is a Nationwide online survey that allows consumers and whānau to give anonymous feedback on our Mental Health & Addictions services

Click here to learn more and complete the survey(s)

Flourishing Together:

Including tāngata whaikaha Māori and disabled people in policy development

The Flourishing Together team invite you to complete their accessible interactive survey online. They are evaluating what makes it easier or harder for disabled people to find a home that works well for them and their families. Other terms for ‘disabled people’ that you may be more familiar or comfortable with include ‘person living with a disability’, ‘tāngata whaikaha Māori’ and ‘whānau hauā’. You can take part if you have experienced disability since birth or due to illness or injury later in life.

Click here to take the survey if you:

self-identify as a disabled person
are family or whānau of a disabled person
are at least 16 years old
live in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Our Consumer Council

The Consumer Council provide a strong voice and allows the community to participate in key decision-making on health service and delivery. The Consumer Council’s aim is to enhance consumer experience and service integration across the sector, promote equity and ensure services are organised and provided to meet the needs of all consumers now and in the future.

Our goal is to build on our current feedback mechanisms and move on from listening to the voices of patients, carers and the public (our consumers) to partnership, collaboration and responsiveness with them. Success will be for every part of our health system to be shaped and improved by involving those who use and care about our services.

The next step in our journey towards collaboration and partnership is to provide the public with a stronger voice in key decision-making.

We established our Consumer Council in 2015, the council now consists of nine people across the Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough regions. We created the opportunity and selected people who are experts by experience with diverse backgrounds, contacts, knowledge, skills, geography and broad demographic groups to provide the Board and management with a wide-ranging consumer view.

Click here to view the Consumer Council's Terms of Reference, Chair's Reports and Annual Reports

Bernard Enoka

Click here to learn more about Bernard

I am a resident of Motueka and have been part of the community for 40 years. My background is in Education where I have assumed management and administrative roles with particular emphasis on Health, Physical Education and Sports. Part of my working career was spent working in International Organisations abroad which provided some insight into how health andeducation systems in other countries operate. These involvements and my participation in a range of sports and other activities have enabled me to work with a diverse range of individuals and community organisations. I continue to be involved in community activities as a volunteer.

I have a broad interest in all areas of health, particularly youth health, preventative health and mental health and I look forward to working toward providing equitable access to service delivery and ensuring consumers are empowered to make informed choices about their health.

To be given this opportunity to represent local health consumers, by working collaboratively with Nelson Marlborough’s governance and management teams to develop an effective health system that meets the needs of our communities, is a challenge I embrace.

Esmé Palliser

Click here to learn more about Esmé

My background has always seen me working with people & communities whether it be as a volunteer or through a long career in our region, primarily in education and health.

Living well and improving consumers' health experiences are important to me. I strongly support consumer engagement to ensure the ongoing development of services, especially in light of the pending health reforms & as our region diversifies and grows. This I believe can only be achieved if consumers are ‘at the table’ to address equitable access to service delivery, improve communication, and ultimately ensure consumers are empowered to make informed choices about their, and their families, health.

Geoff Ormandy - Chair

Click here to learn more about Geoff

I have lived in both the Marlborough and Nelson regions for the past 15 years and continue to thoroughly enjoy residing in the area with its abundance of lifestyle options. During my time in Nelson, I have been self-employed as an education and business advisor. I also enjoy my involvement as a mentor for Business Mentors NZ. As a result of these involvements and my participation in a range of outdoor activities, I have met and worked with a diverse range of individuals and community organisations. Prior to my current involvements, I consider myself very fortunate to have been appointed to a range of management, executive and governance appointments at all levels of the education sector.

While my initial involvement with the Consumer Council proved to be a steep learning curve, I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Te Whatu Ora Nelson Marlborough staff and consumers as a member of several committees and forums. I continue to be impressed by the professionalism and commitment of the staff and their increasing preparedness to consider the consumers’ perspective when reviewing and developing procedures and practices. There is, however, room for increasingly meaningful and effective consumer engagement in health decision-making processes. I am looking forward to continuing to work to ensure that the processes for improving health practices have consumers at the core.

Marie Lindaya

Click here to learn more about Marie

After 5 years working with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), I came to NZ in 1990 to settle; and have worked with the public and private sectors – Department of Internal Affairs, ACC, Nelson City Council where I professionally learned governance matters, being the Mayor’s PA for 15 years.

In 1992 whilst with Internal Affairs, organised the first meeting of Nelson Multi-Ethnic Council, which has now evolved to Multicultural Nelson Tasman, 27 years on. Between work and life is my community volunteering which grounds me to grass root community issues and allows me to build relations and help individuals and groups of diverse cultures, ages and gender. I joined the then Nelson Volunteer Centre in 2009.

My experience of health services has been generally positive. This is not the same for some locals, particularly for the ethnic migrants and former refugee communities that I have advocated for and supported for the past 30 years since settling in New Zealand. I will add voice and experience from a culturally diverse perspective and insight, and hopefully, improve the service and support our communities better.

I am interested in all aspects of health and well-being, particularly mental health for both youth and adults.

Nathan Hanson - Deputy Chair

Click here to learn more about Nathan

I am the coordinator at Citizens Advice Bureau Marlborough am on the board of Volunteer Marlborough and Area Co-ordinator for Top of the South Neighbourhood Support. I am studying towards a Bachelor of Arts focussing on International Relations and Politics degree through Massey University.

In my spare time, I volunteer for Youthline Wairau while being the volunteer coordinator for Youthline Central South Island.

Nikita Takai - Deputy Chair

Click here to learn more about Nikita

Mālō e tau lava,

Ko hoku hingoá ko Nikita Takai

After being in Te Whanganui-a-tara for over a decade, I moved back to my hometown with my fāmili. I have a background working in the health sector for the Medical Council of New Zealand in the areas of competence, conduct and invigilating exams for international medical graduates. I also have governance experience working as a volunteer board member for not-for-profit organisations and I currently work in the Māori community.

Outside of work, I enjoy being an active member of my Tongan Community as well as the wider Pasifika Community here in Whakatū. My driver for being a part of the Health Consumer Council is to improve health outcomes for consumers. I am passionate about providing a voice for our Pasifika communities where there is work to be done in bridging health inequities. I want to ensure the co-design concept is proactively applied to all aspects of the health system from the strategic direction at the governance level to individual care plans between consumers and health professionals. I want to see that everyone’s access to good healthcare is fair and equal.

If you'd like to chat with any of our Consumer Council members, reach out by emailing [email protected]

Expressions of Interest - membership of four new regional Consumer Councils

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for the membership of the four new regional Consumer Councils, expected to be in place by 1 July 2024. Information about the role of Councils, membership and EOI forms can be found here. Terms of Reference and further information addressing frequently asked questions can also be found on this page.

EOIs are open until close of business on 3 June 2024. Applicants will be short-listed and interviewed, and appointments will be announced on or before 21 June 2024. EOIs will be promoted through our national stakeholder channels in the first instance.

Health New Zealand is working closely with the National Chair of District Consumer Council to ensure information is passed onto Chairs quickly and their questions and comments can be heard and addressed.

District Consumer Councils will transition into the Regional Consumer Councils and current district Chairs and Councillors are encouraged to apply for regional Council roles.

Queries from District Consumer Council Chairs and Councillors can be directed to the National Chair, Russ Aiton or alternatively can be sent directly to [email protected].

Thank you for your support in this important kaupapa. Ngā mihi nunui.

Maternity Quality Safety Programme Advocates

The maternity service welcomes feedback/suggestions on ways to improve our service for our communities. We are delighted to welcome Kat and Edee to the team.

If you would like to contact a member of the maternity consumers, please email: [email protected]

Katherine Gibbons

Marlborough

Click here to learn more about Katherine

My journey in the health field began in 2012 as a volunteer with the St John Ambulance Service. In 2014, I graduated from the NZ College of Massage with a Diploma of Clinical Massage.

My path for advocacy began here. It was furthered following the birth of my daughter in 2019 which resulted in life changing injury and chronic pain. My ensuing dealings with health professionals led me to think how difficult it must be for some to access treatments and realistically advocate for themselves.

As I navigated my own pathways towards recognition and rehabilitation of birth trauma and pelvic injuries I began helping others by setting up a support group, Pelvic Dysfunction Support NZ. I have also contributed to various petitions and submissions to Government in regards to pelvic health and improved rehabilitation for parents.

My own lived experience has led me to become truly passionate about ensuring that our parents and pēpē have a positive start to their journey. I believe that quality health care should be accessible to all and successful health care can only happen with genuine consumer engagement.

I am looking forward to representing our communities voice.

Edee Bolton

Nelson

Click here to learn more about Edee

I have been involved in the fitness industry for over 10 years. I originally studied at Otago University for a Bachelor of Physical Education. – Double Major in Exercise Prescription & Exercise Science. Over the years I have been a personal trainer, mentor for trainers and a workshop presenter. Women's health has always been an area of interest so it wasn't surprising that when returning to work between having my own little ones 90% of my time is now working with pre & postnatal exercise clients and helping educate trainers around NZ in this space.

I see the importance and benefits exercise has not just physically but mentally and emotionally and I volunteer my time with local walking groups to help parents move and connect with one another. I am excited about being the consumer rep as I already have many connections at the ground level within our community. Not only does the work I do already allow me to have conversations around experiences but also a safe space to share feedback and open discussions within groups. I am looking forward to assisting in this space more.

Volunteer with us

“No act of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted” – Aesop

Becoming a volunteer with us is a good way to meet new people, make great friendships and lend a helping hand in your community. Our volunteers do not replace professional services but are there to enhance our patients' and visitors' comfort and well-being.

“Volunteers are not paid – not because they are worthless but because they are priceless.”

Volunteer opportunities in 2024

We are not accepting volunteers at this time.

St John Friends of the Emergency Department

Our Friends of the Emergency Department (FED) volunteers and Hospital Friends provide comfort and support to patients and their families in hospital emergency departments, as well as other wards and units. This volunteer service is co-ordinated by St John, you can contact them toll-free on 0800 780 780.

Compliments and complaints

Healthline

Ways to Contribute as a Consumer