Wahanga Tuatahi/Foreword
In developing Te Puawaitanga, we have chosen to build on key mental health strategies, Looking Forward, Moving Forward and the Mental Health Commission’s Blueprint for Mental Health Services in New Zealand, while also incorporating current directions in mental health.
An important aspect in the development of Te Puawaitanga is that it has provided, for the first time, the opportunity to include in one document much of the work that has been achieved so far in relation to Māori mental health.
Without the dedicated support of so many key people who contributed through hui, consultation rounds and submissions, it would not have been possible to complete this strategic framework. We acknowledge and sincerely thank all these people for their generosity, their commitment and their passion for Māori well mental health.
We also acknowledge and pay special tribute to koro Denis Simpson (Ngati Awa), for the very powerful gift he has given in naming our strategic framework.
Finally, we recognise that Māori mental health is ultimately about Māori development, and it is our hope that in some small way, Te Puawaitanga will contribute to that development.
Janice Wilson (Dr)
Deputy Director-General
Mental Health Directorate
Arawhetu Peretini
Ngati Kahungungu/Rangitane/Ngai Tahu
Manager
Māori Mental Health