Consumer opportunities Tā te kiritaki whai wāhi

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: 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