Rākau Roroa
What is Rākau Roroa?
Rākau Roroa is a programme that grows mental health leaders for the future! It was created by Changing Minds and is led by lived experience.
Rākau Roroa trains and supports a growing network of people who want to use their personal lived experience of mental distress and recovery to inspire others. By the end of their training people are able to tell their own story and to champion positive mental health messages in their communities.
It draws on wisdom from over 20 years of Like Minds, and aims to give you all the knowledge and tools you need to become part of a social movement to combat prejudice and discrimination.
Why the name Rākau Roroa?
The name Rākau Roroa was gifted to us by our kaumātua, George Hill [Ngāti Whātua] and in this context, means “Tall Tree”. It has connotations of the strength, resilience and leadership of people with lived experience rising from the roots to the branches of our whenua connecting and supporting one another to grow.
Tall Trees are people from all walks of life with experience of mental distress and/or addiction who have completed the Rākau Roroa training programme and learnt how to use their story of mental distress and recovery safely to change attitudes, and most importantly, behaviour.
As a Tall Tree you become part of this special community of New Zealanders we colloquially call our “forest”.
Celebrating our Tall Trees | Rākau Roroa with Changing Minds
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the course outline?
The course is comprised of a series of modules which tackle and share insights about human rights, discrimination, and wellbeing.What are the expected outcomes of the programme?
How will those trained use their new skills?
Most applicants bring their own ideas of how to apply their newly learnt skills in their own communities, using the experience and passions they bring to the programme. It is not for us to dictate what you do with your knowledge, only that you have the confidence and skills to be grounded in the core messages based on best practice that reduce self-stigma, prejudice and discrimination and increase inclusion.
Some may in the future go into a pool of people that Like Minds and the National Depression Initiative call on to represent us in the media, and some may go on to support others, but most will use their knowledge and be supported to run the projects they want to - be it as a public speaker, an artist, a musician, a workplace policymaker or anything!Where is the training available?
Currently, we have completed all our face-to-face training across Aotearoa New Zealand and our next training opportunities will be online using our specially built digital platform.Is the course designed to just offer new skills and set up a network for those trained or is there an expectation that there will be ongoing work in our communities?
Yes (we hope so) – but that work is up to the participant and what they want to do. Their mentor can guide them and there may be project funding they can apply for in the future.Want to find out more or contact us regarding the project?
Email our Kaipoipoi Rākau Roroa Partners on rakauroroa@changingminds.org.nz
Who are our Rākau Roroa regional leaders?
Some of our Rākau Roroa Tall Trees have become regional leaders, a network of people who are passionate about supporting Tall Trees in their region.
Our regional leaders are:
Northland | Vicky Jean Stephens
Auckland | Samantha Adams
Waikato/ Hawkes Bay | Karyn Quin-Smith
Wellington, Wairarapa and Manawatu | Gail Cossar
Mid Canterbury | Sara Luff
West Coast |Toni Huls
Otago | Kelli-Anne Te Huki
