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About us
The Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT) is an independent body appointed by the Minister of Health under the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992
The MHRT's activities are:
- deciding whether patients are fit to be released from compulsory status
- making recommendations about the status of special patients
- considering the status of restricted patients
- investigating complaints about breaches of patient rights
- appointing the psychiatrists who give second opinions about patient treatment
- appointing the psychiatrists who decide whether electro-convulsive treatment is in the interests of patients.
The MHRT is required to make its decisions based on the evidence before it, free from external influences.
Membership
The MHRT is made up of a lawyer, a psychiatrist and a community member, one of whom is the convenor of the tribunal. There are also about a dozen deputy members.
All are appointed by the Minister of Health for three year terms, although appointments can be renewed. All current members' and deputy members' appointments will expire on 19 November 2024.
Although the MHRT usually sits as a panel of three, a fourth member is occasionally added to the panel. This happens when they have specialised knowledge or expertise, or for reasons of ethnic identity or gender.
Current members
- Phyllis Tangitu, Community Member
- James Wilding KC, Lawyer Member
- Dr Peri Renison, Psychiatrist Member
Deputy community members
- Michael Sukolski, Deputy Community Member
- Sumita Sumita, Deputy Community Member
- Shomilla Sidal, Deputy Community Member
- Liz Pennington, Deputy Community Member
- Gavin Pike, Deputy Community Member
Deputy lawyer members
- Tim Clarke, Deputy Lawyer Member
- Robb Newberry, Deputy Lawyer Member
- Annie Rakena, Deputy Lawyer Member
- Sandra Heney, Deputy Lawyer Member
- Christina Pikiuha-Billing, Deputy Lawyer Member
- Alice McCarthy, Deputy Lawyer Member
Deputy psychiatrist members
- Dr Hinemoa Elder, Deputy Psychiatrist Member
- Dr Andrew Turbott, Deputy Psychiatrist Member
- Dr Mark Fisher, Deputy Psychiatrist Member
- Dr Jeremy McMinn, Deputy Psychiatrist Member
- Dr Margaret Honeyman, Deputy Psychiatrist Member
Relationship with the Ministry of Health
The Director of Mental Health, an official within the Ministry of Health, is responsible for the MHRT's general administration.
The MHRT may at any time, and if asked by the Director, report to them on any matter relating to the exercise or performance of its powers and functions under the Act.
The Ministry of Health is responsible for making sure MHRT members are paid, funds the MHRT's activities, and recommends appointments for its members. However, the MHRT retains strict independence from the Ministry and the Minister of Health when making decisions about patients.
Secretariat
The MHRT has a Wellington-based secretariat responsible for receiving applications, handling correspondence and enquiries, and making all necessary arrangements for hearings to take place.
A central secretariat is necessary because the members of the MHRT only undertake work for it on a part time basis and are based in various localities throughout New Zealand.
The secretariat requirements of the MHRT are provided by the law firm of Allen + Clark under contract with the Ministry of Health.
Contact us
Contact the Mental Health Review Tribunal.
Phone: 0800 114 645
Email: [email protected]
Postal address:
Mental Health Review Tribunal
PO Box 10407
Wellington 6140
