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Mental health or addiction challenges impact as many as 50-80% of New Zealanders in their lifetime, with at least one in five people experiencing mental health and addiction challenges in any given year.  People with severe mental health or addiction challenges have an estimated reduction in life expectancy of 25 years.  This harm is felt most acutely and inequitably in our Māori, Pacific, and low socio-economic communities.

The Mental Health & Addiction National Clinical Network is focussed on addressing these inequities and improving the care and outcomes for all whānau with mental health and addiction challenges.

We aim to:

  • Facilitate the delivery of high-quality services through national standards and models of care
  • Reduce health inequities by developing strategies which reduce the disparity in outcomes for those communities most harmed by mental health and addiction
  • Empower whānau by ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met
  • Enhance mental health and addiction services through collaboration and innovation in healthcare practices.
  • Support healthcare professionals by providing a platform for sharing best practices.

Together, we can make a significant impact on mental health and addiction outcomes across Aotearoa.

Strategic Group Members

We are looking for mental health and addiction healthcare professionals and those with lived experience to join our network.

Benefits of joining include:

  • Making a positive difference in the lives of whānau experiencing mental health and  addiction challenges
  • Collaborating with a passionate team dedicated to reducing health inequities
  • Contributing your expertise to shape mental health & addiction care across Aotearoa.
Pātiki and Waharua Kōpito patterns

Nominations for the National Mental Health and Addiction Clinical Network

Nominations for the National Mental Health and Addiction Clinical Network are open until Sunday 24 November 2024
Submit your nomination here

Meet Our Co-leads

Dr Clive Bensemann

Dr Clive Bensemann

Clive trained at the University of Otago Medical School before training as a General Practitioner (MRCGP) then as a Psychiatrist (FRANZCP) and as a Medical Administrator (FRACMA).

He has worked clinically in both General Adult Psychiatry and in Psychiatry of Old Age, in Waikato, Counties Manukau, Auckland and Waitemata Districts. He is currently Clinical Director for Mental Health Services for Older Adults at Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora - Waitematā.

Throughout his career Clive has been involved in clinical leadership and clinical governance, including as the Director of Mental Health and Addiction Services at Waikato and Auckland. He has worked with many other district services across the country on review and development of new services, supporting serious incident reviews, and credentialing of medical staff.

Clive in interested in the use of data and in quality improvement. He was a sponsor of the National KPI MH&A programme for 7 years and has been the Clinical Lead for the National Health Quality and Safety Commission-hosted MH&A Quality Improvement Programme for the last 6 years. He is currently also involved in NGO governance.

Clive has a strong commitment to tripartite leadership of mental health services - bringing together cultural, clinical and lived experience expertise to optimise effective, efficient and safe services consistently across the country.

Rozi Te Mihiroa Pukepuke

Rozi Te Mihiroa Pukepuke

Ko Hiwarau te maunga          Ko Maungapohatu te maunga

Ko Tairongo te moana            Ko Waikaremoana te moana

Ko Roimata te marae             Ko Te Māpou te marae

Ko Upokorehe te hapū            Ko Tamakaimoana te hapū

Ko Whakatōhea te iwi            Ko Tūhoe te iwi

Ko Rozi Te Mihiroa Pukepuke ahau

Rozi studied at Te Wānanga o Awanuiarangi, Massey University and Auckland University of Technology. Over a ten-year period, she attended Te Ao Kōhatu and Mātauranga Māori wānanga with esteemed Tōhunga Hōhepa Delamere and Manu Korewha.

Rozi began her working career in marketing and advertising firms where she honed business skills. After this she trained as a Social Worker, specialising in Mental Health and Addictions (MHA). Rozi has worked for Kaupapa Māori PHO/NGOs, HSS secondary MHA services, Māori Health and Gains Planning and Funding in the Bay of Plenty where she co-led the MHA Commissioning Portfolio. Rozi’s current role is Principal Clinical Advisor Oranga Hinengaro (MHA), Hauora Māori Services, Health NZ National Team working with machinery of Government functions, policy and planning. Rozi has built strong relationships in advisory and governance groups across many agencies.

Rozi is particularly interested in supporting cross-sector collaborative service design amalgamating clinical and cultural perspectives alongside the voice of lived experience. Her aim is to champion a health system that all of Aotearoa, including Māori and other priority populations can see themselves in, preventative, accessible and effective. One where whānau can navigate the MHA system independently and successfully to improve outcomes for our mokopuna.

Contact us

If you have any questions about the Mental Health & Addiction National Clinical Network, please email: MentalHealthandAddictionNetwork@tewhatora.govt.nz