Te Pou

05/10/2026

Are you interested in lived experience leadership?

Check out the new Consumer, Peer Support and Lived Experience (CPSLE) Leadership Information Hub on the Te Pou website.

👉 https://www.tepou.co.nz/initiatives/cpsle-leadership-information-hub

Bringing together leadership stories, career pathways, networks, development opportunities, and practical resources, the hub highlights the breadth and impact of CPSLE leadership, from peer support and advisory roles through to professional leadership and commissioning positions.

Explore inspiring profiles and insights from experienced CPSLE leaders, and discover resources, guidance, and connections to support your own leadership journey.

We’d love your feedback. What stories, videos or information resonated for you?

04/10/2026

The consumer, peer support and lived experience (CPSLE) roadshow is coming to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

Through this interactive roadshow, kaimahi will explore the updated competencies and new strategy and action plan. Kaimahi will consider what implementation looks like in practice and discuss how organisations, leaders and lived experience kaimahi can work together to support meaningful change.

Facilitated by Malcolm Mckenna and Caro Swanson, the session will provide an opportunity to connect with colleagues, share experiences, and contribute to the ongoing development of a strong, visible and valued lived experience workforce.

Auckland is the second stop on the roadshow, with more sessions rolling out around the motu over the coming months and into 2027.

Join us in Papakura on Thursday 22 October from 9am to 3pm: https://www.tepou.co.nz/events/cpsle-competencies-and-strategy-and-action-plan-roadshow-auckland

Keep an eye on our social media and events page to stay up to date when a workshop is coming to your area.

04/10/2026

What’s in in October at Te Pou?

• Build confidence, share experiences, and grow alongside others at the online community of practice for new addiction practitioners.

• Become an Alcohol and Drug Outcome Measure (ADOM) trainer for your service, or refresh your ADOM knowledge, at virtual training.

• Join our lived experience research and evaluation community of practice at the first online session on 13 October.

• Gain practical skills and knowledge in providing mental health and addiction support at our lunchtime sessions for primary healthcare nurses.

• Five-day training to become a Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Aotearoa instructor. Note training is now full, see our events page for future opportunities.

• Explore the new CPSLE strategy and competencies at the Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland roadshow.

• Increase skills and confidence in recognising and responding to intoxication and withdrawal when working in clinical or community settings at training in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington.

Register and keep an eye out for upcoming events on our website: https://www.tepou.co.nz/events

02/10/2026

Do you want a career with meaningful impact, where you can make a difference in people's lives every day?

Our sector is always on the lookout for new people, and if you have a heart for serving your community, a career in mental health and addiction could be for you!

Visit Le Va's website to explore and learn more 👉 https://www.leva.co.nz/our-work/mental-health-addiction/workforce-development

Mahi that matters, a career that counts. 🌿

This is a joint campaign brought to you by the national mental health and addiction workforce development centres, Le Va, Whāraurau, Te Pou, and Te Rau Ora.

Do you want a career with meaningful impact, where you can make a difference in people's lives every day?

Our mental health and addiction sector needs more Pacific people who bring their culture, language and lived experience to the work.

If you have a heart for serving your community, a career in mental health and addiction could be for you!

Visit our website to explore and learn more: https://www.leva.co.nz/our-work/mental-health-addiction/workforce-development/

Mahi that matters, a career that counts. 🌿

A joint campaign brought to you by Le Va, Whāraurau, Te Pou and Te Rau Ora.

02/10/2026

This week we celebrated and we looked ahead.

We were delighted to officially launch the Consumer, Peer Support and Lived Experience (CPSLE) Workforce Strategy and Action Plan 2026 to 2031.

The launch webinar, attended by 114 people, was an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the past five years, acknowledge the many people and partnerships that have helped shape the CPSLE workforce, and look towards the next chapter.

We were honoured to have Hon. Matt Doocey MP, Minister of Mental Health, join us and share his reflections on the progress of the workforce and the road ahead.

We also heard from people whose experience and leadership are central to this mahi - Riana Manuel, Caro Swanson, Gina Giordani and Aaryn Niuapu, and Amanda Bradley, who guided us through the kōrero.

There was a real sense that this is both a moment to celebrate and a moment to keep moving forward.

The next five years are about building on what has been achieved and continuing to grow a CPSLE workforce that is valued, visible, diverse and sustainably supported.

CPSLE Workforce Strategy and Action Plan 2026 to 2031: https://www.tepou.co.nz/resources/matau-a-wheako-consumer-peer-support-lived-experience-workforce-strategy-and-action-plan-2026-to-2031

Lived Experience: A story of resilience and hope: https://www.tepou.co.nz/resources/lived-experience-a-story-of-resilience-and-hope

01/10/2026

Our September e-bulletin is out this week.

This month, we reflect on Te Wiki o te Reo Māori and celebrate the third edition of Te Reo Hāpai, which features 22 new kupu for the mental health, addiction, and disability sectors.

You’ll also find new resources, upcoming training and workshops, and sector updates from across the motu, including:
• opportunities to be a guest speaker on season three of our podcast, The Difference
• new leadership hub for the consumer, peer support and lived experience workforce
• information about the upcoming support work professional development grant
• video series sharing insights into addiction workforce careers.

Read the September e-bulletin now 👉 https://mailchi.mp/tepou/september-2026-e-bulletin

30/09/2026

Looking ahead: the CPSLE Workforce Strategy 2026 to 2031

We’re pleased to share the new Consumer, Peer Support and Lived Experience (CPSLE) Workforce Strategy and Action Plan 2026 to 2031.

Building on the achievements and foundations of the previous five-year strategy, this new plan sets out a collective vision for a CPSLE workforce that is thriving, visible and sustainably resourced, with lived and living experience recognised as essential expertise across mental health and addiction services.

The strategy focuses on developing knowledge and skills, growing the workforce and its diversity, and strengthening leadership and partnerships across the sector.

It is grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, equity, cultural responsiveness, and the values that are central to CPSLE work. Most importantly, this is a workforce-led plan that comes from and belongs to the CPSLE workforce.

The next chapter begins.

Download the CPSLE Workforce Strategy and Action Plan 2026 to 2031: https://www.tepou.co.nz/resources/matau-a-wheako-consumer-peer-support-lived-experience-workforce-strategy-and-action-plan-2026-to-2031

29/09/2026

Upcoming workshop: Substance use, intoxication and withdrawal management

Designed for people who have experience and training working in addiction services, this workshop aims to increase knowledge, skills, and confidence in recognising and responding to intoxication and withdrawal when working in clinical or community settings.

The workshop will also explore strategies to assess and manage behavioural disturbance due to intoxication and withdrawal, referring to specialist addiction services and other community supports, and providing harm reduction advice for people who continue to use substances.

Join us in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington on 23 October. The workshop is free to attend and attracts CPD dapaanz points.

Register now: https://www.tepou.co.nz/events/substance-use-intoxication-and-withdrawal-management-workshop-23-october-2026

28/09/2026

Are you a nurse who specialises in working with tāngata whai ora and whānau impacted by addiction? The Aotearoa New Zealand Addiction Nursing Standards is a resource from Te Pou, supported by Drug and Alcohol Nurses Australasia and Te Ao Maramatanga - New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses, that can help guide your mahi and practice. Find out more from Richard Jeffcoat, the national addictions branch chair of Te Ao Māramatanga, then order or download your copy on our website.

👉 https://www.tepou.co.nz/resources/addiction-nursing-standards

25/09/2026

Te Mana Hononga: The Power of Connection

As we wrap up this phase of the Te Mana Hononga journey, we’re pleased to share a special kōrero from our chief executive, Riana Manuel.

In this video, Riana talks about why this work is so important for least restrictive practice and the health sector, and the resources now available to support kaimahi in applying Te Mana Hononga in everyday mahi.

Te Mana Hononga brings an Aotearoa lens to the Six Core Strategies©, grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Te Ao Māori values, Pasifika models of care, equity, and lived experience.

The framework and supporting resources are now available to download from the Te Pou website, and printed copies can also be ordered through our E-store.

Watch the full video, explore Te Mana Hononga, and access the framework and resources: https://www.tepou.co.nz/initiatives/least-restrictive-practice-2/te-mana-hononga-the-power-of-connection

Ngā mihi nui to everyone who has shared their knowledge, experience and whakaaro throughout this kaupapa.