Ko tō tātou whanaungatanga te mea nui | About Us
Building connections comes first. Meet our people
We are a national not-for-profit organisation, proudly led and operated entirely by people who have navigated their own lived experience journey through mental health and addiction.
Ko wai te whānau nei | Who is Changing Minds?
We are a whānau first and foremost. We believe in upholding, protecting and nurturing the mana and potential of all Tāngata Mātau ā-wheako – people with personal experience of mental distress and/or addiction, right across Aotearoa.
We are a national not-for-profit organisation that is committed to ‘living’ our whanaungatanga – connection, identity and purpose within te Tiriti o Waitangi for the hauora – wellbeing of all Aotearoa and providing a space for all our staff to enhance and express their own cultural confidence and connection.
We also pride ourselves in being operated entirely by those who have navigated their own lived experience who now stand tall as living examples of what is possible when we recognise and embrace our experiences as taonga – sign of the potential we all hold to influence greater hauora.
Tō mātou whāinga matua | What we do
We embrace and nurture whānau mātau ā-wheako to embrace the mana of their lived experiences as a source of collective strength to activate equitable wellbeing across all of Aotearoa.
We work in the broad area of hauora services, advocacy, human rights, and health policy, and we collect, articulate, and activate the strategic voice of lived experience.
Te tāhuhu o te whakaaro mō anamata | Strategic themes
Huringa mai | Impacting change
Increase our reach and impact - making a difference to equitable hauora - wellbeing for individuals, communities, workplaces, and systems.
Whakaohoohotia | Inspire
Transformation and awareness of equitable hauora - wellbeing by putting people at the centre in communities, workplaces and systems
Poipoia | Nurture
Te reo o te Whānau Mātau ā wheako, the voices of lived experience as individuals, whānau and communities by listening to and amplifying their voice in strategy.
Whakahohetia | Activate
Whānau mātau ā wheako to embrace the mana of their lived experiences as a source of collective strength through:
• Information and resource provision
• Education and training
• Leadership development
Mā ngā uara mātou e ārahi | Our values
Ngākaupono | Absolute integrity
We fight for what is right, we stand for what is true, we are driven by our pursuit of equitable wellbeing for all of Aotearoa.
Hei tiaki | To protect what is sacred
We acknowledge all lived experiences as a taonga. We protect and nurture these taonga throughout our journey together with all whānau as a source of mana.
He mana tō te kōrero | Words hold great power
We tell our stories, we speak as one, we support the voices of whānau to be heard.
Tino-rangatiratanga | Leaders of our own pathway
We recognise whānau mātau ā-wheako as the leaders of their own journey, just as we are of ours.
Whanaungatanga | Connection and identity
Our unique experiences, relationships and connections allow us all to find our own individual identity within one united whānau.
Te hāro o te kāhu | Board of Trustees
Anne Bateman | Chair
Saima Hussain Anis | Trustee
Latayvia Tualasea Tautai | Trustee
Amanda Luckman | Trustee
Megan Campbell | Trustee
Johnny Kumitau | Trustee
Te Pou Henry | Trustee
Ngā ringa raupā | Staff
Kevin
CEO, Chief Enabler
Kevin joined the Changing Minds whānau as our CEO and Chief Enabler in May 2022, having long been a supporter of Changing Minds’ mahi to strengthen Lived Experience voices, talent, and expertise.
He brings a wealth of knowledge from the public sector and is widely regarded as a champion for the Lived Experience community in Aotearoa.
During his career Kevin has helped lead transformation in mental health by putting people’s wants and needs first and supporting innovative and alternative responses. Kevin envisions a system designed by people, for people and delivered collectively and connectedly to build on people’s rights and strengths.
Prior to joining Changing Minds Kevin had over 16 years expertise in Aotearoa’s public sector, holding roles at the Department of Labour, ACC and most recently, as Principal Advisor to the Lived Experience and Clinical Advisory Rōpu - Mental Health and Addiction at the Ministry of Health.
Megan
Engagement and Insights Manager
Megan joined our Changing Minds whānau in 2021 and leads our Engagement and Insights mahi.
With a background in health sciences and psychology, advocacy, membership insights and communications, and legal studies, she is passionate about utilising Lived Experience ways of knowing and doing to connect voices and expertise across kōrero and research.
Megan’s hope here at Changing Minds is to support the community to create Lived Experience practices that challenges barriers and inequities to ensure Lived Experience voices are entrenched in all stages of decision making about us.
Outside of work, Megan cherishes her time with her young family and is often found out walking with the ‘unofficial Changing Minds support dog’, Culley. While her art studio might currently be the baby’s nursery, she loves printmaking and finds the methodical process relaxing.
Originally from Kāpiti, Megan has lived in Tāmaki Makaurau for more than 10 years and loves having native bush and west coast beaches right on her doorstep.
Mackenzie
Programmes Manager
programmes@changingminds.org.nz
Mackenzie is our Programmes Manager, coming from a background in the creative arts and disability sectors. She is a registered creative arts therapist and dance/movement therapist, coming to the field after it played a part in her recovery journey.
She is passionate about the for-purpose sector and creating opportunities for communities through impactful programmes. Her appreciation for planning and structure makes programme management a perfect fit, and Mackenzie is excited to support Changing Minds through our programmes.
Outside of work you can find Mackenzie running around her neighbourhood or curled up with her latest knitting project.
Dan
Dan (they/them) is a Scottish-Pākehā artist and Lived Experience advocate currently living in Tāmaki Makau-Rau.
They started their working life as an actor, before adding directing, performance poetry, and facilitation to their practice. In 2016, Dan completed their Masters of Text and Performance at RADA and Birkbeck, and most recently completed their study to become a New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Interpreter. Even in their artistic work, Lived Experience has been a focus, with their first solo show Breathe, navigating mental distress and (mis)diagnosis, touring England and NZ after winning the Harold and Jean Brooks award in 2017, and their current work, Chrome Dome and Schizo, set for a return season in 2025 after sell-out performances in 2022.
They are the 2021 Auckland and NZ National Slam champion, and have performed internationally and across Aotearoa. They are a member and facilitator of Rākau Roroa, a collective of mental health advocates created and held by Changing Minds.
Shiona
Shiona joined the Changing Minds team on the 1st October, fulfilling a long-term goal to use her Lived Experience with mental health and addictions to help others in her mahi.
Shiona's career history is mainly working for corporate organisations, and she has strong organisational skills to bring to the Changing Minds team.
In Shiona's spare time she likes to cook and bake and spend time with friends and family.
Shiona is also an animal lover.
Liz
Communications Co-ordinator
communications@changingminds.org.nz
Liz is our Communications Co-ordinator, with a background spanning the public sector, the NGO space, science communication and adult education.
With a keen interest in nature and conservation, Liz enjoys getting outdoors, whether it’s a quick walk or a dive at the local Marine Reserve.
She loves stories and loves to find the words that fit, to tell the stories that need telling.
Yuri
Community & Education Support Intern
education@changingminds.org.nz
My name is Yuri, I have come from Japan to join Changing Minds as an intern. I have been wanting to work with the team because of my strong motivations to learn about why Lived Experience is important for community support, and how to maximize the values of Lived Experience.
I worked in PR section in national research institutes and other stakeholders for nearly 10 years in Japan. Though working for mental health has always been in my mind as my life theme.
I love cooking, watching movies, traveling and everything I can learn or feel something new.
Te reo tautoko | What people are saying
Mahia te mahi e ora ai ngā moemoeā | Featured Projects
Ways we can support you on your journey
Te kāhui āwhina | Our Supporters
Our connections of support
Āwhina atu, āwhina mai | Ways to support us
When you support us, you support the people
Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu | Donate
When you support us, you support real change, for real people.
Kōrero mai | Share your thoughts
We would love your thoughts on a few questions about our website that will help inform us on what you find useful, or not, so we can provide more relevant information to support you, your whānau, and community.