Consumer opportunities Tā te kiritaki whai wāhi
Read more about the current open opportunities for consumers to get involved.
We support consumers being actively involved in decision-making about their health, at all levels.
Health services, including hospitals, government agencies and other services, require consumer representatives to co-design the planning, design, delivery and evaluation of health services.
Below are the current open opportunities for consumers to get involved.
Please note we publish these opportunities on behalf of a range of different agencies and groups in the health sector. Please contact each provider directly using the information provided in the listing.
Do you have an opportunity you think Consumer health forum Aotearoa members should know about?
If so, please submit an expression of interest for consumer and whānau representatives.
Current opportunities
This initiative aims to support the refresh of the advocacy guidelines for the Nationwide Health and Disability Advocacy Service
These guidelines outline how advocates work with consumers and providers, promote the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights and support people to resolve concerns. Feedback from consumers and stakeholders will help ensure the updated guidelines remain relevant, effective and reflective of New Zealand’s health and disability system.
The project involves the Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC), advocacy service representatives, consumer engagement teams and stakeholders across the health and disability sector, including service providers and community organisations.
Who we’re looking for
We are seeking feedback from a diverse group of consumers, whānau and community representatives. We encourage participation from Māori, Pacific peoples and other priority populations to ensure the guidelines reflect diverse perspectives.
Requirements
Participation is voluntary and primarily involves reviewing the draft advocacy guidelines and completing a short survey.
The estimated time commitment is approximately 30–60 minutes.
Support and reimbursement
The survey is voluntary, and we can offer no compensation for completing the survey and providing feedback.
If you have any questions about the guidelines or the survey, please email guidelines@hdc.org.nz
The consultation period runs until 30 June 2026.
Links
The Ministry of Health - Manatū Hauora (the Ministry) is looking for a consumer member who can bring a strong consumer voice to discussions and decisions, ensuring the surgical mesh work programme remains people centred, with a focus on patient safety and equitable health outcomes.
The Ministry is leading a surgical mesh work programme that aims to support those harmed by surgical mesh and minimise future risks to patients experiencing stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and/or pelvic organ prolapse (POP). As part of this programme, a Multidisciplinary Education Working Group (the working group) was established to create an education framework and curriculum for Urologists and Urogynaecologists wanting to manage patient with SUI and POP.
The working group is chaired by one of the Ministry’s Clinical Chief Advisors and includes representatives from the clinical colleges, the Medical Council of New Zealand, and another consumer. The working group formally meets once a month via video conference with an option for more informal online catch ups on the weeks in between.
The role is an advisory role rather than an operational one. This person will contribute a strong consumer voice to discussions and decisions, ensuring that the programme remains people-centred, with a focus on patient safety and equitable health outcomes.
Applications close on 14 July 2026
This role is advisory rather than operational.
Who we're looking for
The Ministry is looking for a consumer member who:
- Preferably has lived experience of urogynaecological conditions
- has strong connections with consumer networks and is actively engaged in consumer advocacy or representation
- is confident representing consumer perspectives
- is committed to collaborative, respectful engagement with a diverse group of stakeholders
- has governance experience, particularly in health, disability or public sector contexts.
Requirements
The consumer member will:
- attend meetings every one to two months (one hour, held virtually)
- engage with consumer networks to share key messages and gather feedback
- contribute to the oversight of the surgical mesh education work programme
- uphold confidentiality and manage any potential conflicts of interest appropriately.
Support and reimbursement
Orientation and background information will be provided to support effective participation
Members are paid in line with the Policy for consumer and whānau engagement, fees and reimbursement.
Policy for consumer and whānau engagement, fees and reimbursement
- $44.38 (excluding GST) per hour per person for meeting attendance and half-meeting time for preparation.
If you have any questions about the role, please email spgofficeoftheddg@health.govt.nz
Please send your expression of interest and CV by 5pm, 14 July 2026 to spgofficeoftheddg@health.govt.nz
Seeking participants who have engaged with oral health services in New Zealand.
Leeann Waaka, PhD candidate at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, is seeking participants for her doctoral research project: policy, education, practice and consumer experience may help shape a more equitable, balanced and culturally grounded oral health system in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The research is supervised and is supported through the School of Indigenous Graduate Studies at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.
The participants
Participants should have engaged with, or attempted to engage with, oral health services in Aotearoa New Zealand. Participants’ involvement is highly valued, as lived experience and insights will contribute to a greater understanding of how the oral health system is currently experienced by those it is intended to serve.
People of all ages, genders and ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to take part.
Māori participants with lived experience are especially encouraged to participate, as these perspectives are vital to understanding how oral health services can better uphold equity, cultural responsiveness and Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations.
What’s involved
Each participant will be asked to take part in a short online survey.
Participants can request a summary of the research findings if they wish.
More about the research and how to get involved
If you are interested in participating, please email: leeann.waaka76@gmail.com
Closes Friday 31 July 2026.
Have you had a broken hip or cared for someone with a broken hip?
The Australia and New Zealand Hip Fracture Registry (the Registry) collects information about what happens to older people who break their hip, both during their time at hospital and when they go home. This information is used to improve the hospital care for people who break their hip.
The Registry is looking for people to join their National Governance Committee.
The participants
Consumers and whānau should have experience with a hip fracture or caring for a person with a hip fracture.
What’s involved
The NZ Hip Fracture Registry is looking for consumers to:
- join their national committee;
- tell their story to share in print and video at education conferences;
- link with other consumers in New Zealand and Australia via online Zoom catch-ups.
More about this opportunity and how to get involved
Read the EOI – Join the New Zealand Hip Fracture Registry Consumer Movement (PDF 107KB)
Read more information and complete the EOI form
To express your interest, email nicola@nzoa.org.nz
EOI: Provide feedback on the Advocacy Guidelines
This initiative aims to support the refresh of the advocacy guidelines for the Nationwide Health and Disability Advocacy Service
These guidelines outline how advocates work with consumers and providers, promote the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights and support people to resolve concerns. Feedback from consumers and stakeholders will help ensure the updated guidelines remain relevant, effective and reflective of New Zealand’s health and disability system.
The project involves the Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC), advocacy service representatives, consumer engagement teams and stakeholders across the health and disability sector, including service providers and community organisations.
Who we’re looking for
We are seeking feedback from a diverse group of consumers, whānau and community representatives. We encourage participation from Māori, Pacific peoples and other priority populations to ensure the guidelines reflect diverse perspectives.
Requirements
Participation is voluntary and primarily involves reviewing the draft advocacy guidelines and completing a short survey.
The estimated time commitment is approximately 30–60 minutes.
Support and reimbursement
The survey is voluntary, and we can offer no compensation for completing the survey and providing feedback.
If you have any questions about the guidelines or the survey, please email guidelines@hdc.org.nz
The consultation period runs until 30 June 2026.
Links
- Guidelines draft content
- Survey (feedback on draft content, open until 30 June 2026)
- HDC Act 1994, part 3, section 30 – Functions of Advocates
EOI: Consumer Member for the Surgical Mesh Multidisciplinary Education Working Group
The Ministry of Health - Manatū Hauora (the Ministry) is looking for a consumer member who can bring a strong consumer voice to discussions and decisions, ensuring the surgical mesh work programme remains people centred, with a focus on patient safety and equitable health outcomes.
The Ministry is leading a surgical mesh work programme that aims to support those harmed by surgical mesh and minimise future risks to patients experiencing stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and/or pelvic organ prolapse (POP). As part of this programme, a Multidisciplinary Education Working Group (the working group) was established to create an education framework and curriculum for Urologists and Urogynaecologists wanting to manage patient with SUI and POP.
The working group is chaired by one of the Ministry’s Clinical Chief Advisors and includes representatives from the clinical colleges, the Medical Council of New Zealand, and another consumer. The working group formally meets once a month via video conference with an option for more informal online catch ups on the weeks in between.
The role is an advisory role rather than an operational one. This person will contribute a strong consumer voice to discussions and decisions, ensuring that the programme remains people-centred, with a focus on patient safety and equitable health outcomes.
Applications close on 14 July 2026
This role is advisory rather than operational.
Who we're looking for
The Ministry is looking for a consumer member who:
- Preferably has lived experience of urogynaecological conditions
- has strong connections with consumer networks and is actively engaged in consumer advocacy or representation
- is confident representing consumer perspectives
- is committed to collaborative, respectful engagement with a diverse group of stakeholders
- has governance experience, particularly in health, disability or public sector contexts.
Requirements
The consumer member will:
- attend meetings every one to two months (one hour, held virtually)
- engage with consumer networks to share key messages and gather feedback
- contribute to the oversight of the surgical mesh education work programme
- uphold confidentiality and manage any potential conflicts of interest appropriately.
Support and reimbursement
Orientation and background information will be provided to support effective participation
Members are paid in line with the Policy for consumer and whānau engagement, fees and reimbursement.
Policy for consumer and whānau engagement, fees and reimbursement
- $44.38 (excluding GST) per hour per person for meeting attendance and half-meeting time for preparation.
If you have any questions about the role, please email spgofficeoftheddg@health.govt.nz
Please send your expression of interest and CV by 5pm, 14 July 2026 to spgofficeoftheddg@health.govt.nz
EOI: Take part in research on Oranga Niho – Restoring balance to the oral health system
Seeking participants who have engaged with oral health services in New Zealand.
Leeann Waaka, PhD candidate at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, is seeking participants for her doctoral research project: policy, education, practice and consumer experience may help shape a more equitable, balanced and culturally grounded oral health system in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The research is supervised and is supported through the School of Indigenous Graduate Studies at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.
The participants
Participants should have engaged with, or attempted to engage with, oral health services in Aotearoa New Zealand. Participants’ involvement is highly valued, as lived experience and insights will contribute to a greater understanding of how the oral health system is currently experienced by those it is intended to serve.
People of all ages, genders and ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to take part.
Māori participants with lived experience are especially encouraged to participate, as these perspectives are vital to understanding how oral health services can better uphold equity, cultural responsiveness and Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations.
What’s involved
Each participant will be asked to take part in a short online survey.
Participants can request a summary of the research findings if they wish.
More about the research and how to get involved
If you are interested in participating, please email: leeann.waaka76@gmail.com
Closes Friday 31 July 2026.
EOI: Join the New Zealand Hip Fracture Registry
Have you had a broken hip or cared for someone with a broken hip?
The Australia and New Zealand Hip Fracture Registry (the Registry) collects information about what happens to older people who break their hip, both during their time at hospital and when they go home. This information is used to improve the hospital care for people who break their hip.
The Registry is looking for people to join their National Governance Committee.
The participants
Consumers and whānau should have experience with a hip fracture or caring for a person with a hip fracture.
What’s involved
The NZ Hip Fracture Registry is looking for consumers to:
- join their national committee;
- tell their story to share in print and video at education conferences;
- link with other consumers in New Zealand and Australia via online Zoom catch-ups.
More about this opportunity and how to get involved
Read the EOI – Join the New Zealand Hip Fracture Registry Consumer Movement (PDF 107KB)
Read more information and complete the EOI form
To express your interest, email nicola@nzoa.org.nz
Consumer opportunity case studies
These consumer engagement stories describe how consumers have responded to opportunities promoted with the Consumer health forum Aotearoa. Consumers share their experience of the application process, onboarding and their contribution to the work. We hope these stories encourage others to use their lived experience and skills to contribute to the design, development, delivery and evaluation of the health system.
Northern Regional Consumer Council
- ‘I know what an outcome looks like when it honours our culture and values’: One consumer’s experience of trying to change the system from within (PDF 164KB)
- ‘I know what an outcome looks like when it honours our culture and values’: One consumer’s experience of trying to change the system from within (DOCX 67KB)
National Palliative Care case study
- When experience becomes expertise: Influencing national palliative care (PDF 218KB)
- When experience becomes expertise: Influencing national palliative care (DOCX 66KB)
Australasian Health Infrastructure Alliance case study
- Lived experience is real world knowledge about what works in practice, not just on paper (PDF 212KB)
- Lived experience is real world knowledge about what works in practice, not just on paper (DOCX 69KB)
System safety strategy rōpū
Ngā Reo Māhuri Young Voices group
FIT for symptomatic project
