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
From Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ):
The National Palliative Care Steering Group is forming a fixed term working group to provide recommendations to grow and sustain a clinically and culturally competent, diverse palliative care workforce that represents the community it is serving and meets service demands.
If you are interested in learning more:
- Read the full nomination/expression of interest form (PDF 683KB)
- Read the terms of reference (PDF 663KB)
- Contact Stephanie Read (System Design Manager– Palliative Care, Health New Zealand) with any questions: Stephanie.Read@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz
How to apply:
- Complete the nomination/expression of interest form (PDF 683KB)
- Email the completed form to palliativecare@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz
Nominations and expressions of interest close on Friday 17 October.
From Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ):
The Radiation Oncology Service within the Canterbury Regional Cancer and Haematology Service is looking for two consumers to co-design content with for the service’s public facing website.
Their goal is to ensure information on the website is current and reflects the needs, preferences and cultural values of the people who use their services.
The Service is looking for consumers to review and provide feedback on current website information, and to help shape new content.
If you are interested in learning more:
- Read the full EOI from the Radiation Oncology Service (DOCX 375KB)
- Visit the current Oncology Service website
- Contact Alex Svoboda with any questions: alexandra.svoboda@cdhb.health.nz
How to apply:
If you’re interested in this opportunity, please apply before 30 October.
- Complete the online form
- Download the Word document version (below) and email the completed form to alexandra.svoboda@cdhb.health.nz
Download the Word document version of the EOI form (DOCX 587KB)
The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine is inviting expressions of interest to join the Global Emergency Care Committee to provide the perspective of non-clinical individuals on global emergency care. This is a voluntary role.
The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine is the not-for-profit organisation responsible for training emergency physicians and advancement of professional standards in emergency medicine in Australia and New Zealand.
About the Committee
The committee steers the work of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine by:
- ensuring emergency care is
- recognised as an essential part of universal health care
- is available and accessible to all
- providing leadership and expertise in sustainable and ethical global emergency care capacity development and voluntary work.
Who should apply
The college is seeking a community representative who can bring a consumer or community voice to global emergency care.
Applicants with experience in the international development sector, health care systems within low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), or international volunteer work are encouraged to apply.
You may come from a range of professional backgrounds, including research, academia, allied health, nursing, or programme management.
Find out more and apply
Meetings are held three times a year, with travel costs covered.
Community representative on the Global Emergency Care Committee – www.ethicaljobs.com
Have your say on your or your whānau members’ experience with antidepressants.
Around one in seven New Zealanders take medication for depression and anxiety, and the number of prescriptions continues to rise.
Clinical psychologist Valerie Tan and pharmacist prescriber Marleen van Oeveren from the University of Otago, Dunedin are spearheading a project to help understand what information is most useful when you are prescribed antidepressants and how clinicians and prescribers can work towards consistent practice so you are well supported to make informed choices.
Why they want to hear from you
Antidepressants are usually started with a visit to your GP, but the information people receive can vary depending on the prescriber, GP practice or health service.
To make the best decisions for themselves and their whānau, people need clear information about what antidepressants can do, possible side effects, how long they may be needed, and how they might affect day-to-day life.
Another part of the picture is stopping antidepressants. Valerie and Marleen are also interested in hearing from people who have stopped, or tried to stop, taking antidepressants.
Coming off medication can be straightforward for some, but more challenging for others, and they want to learn about the information and support people received during this process.
Take the survey
This short survey asks you about the information you received before taking antidepressants, what you found helpful, and what you wish you had known when starting and stopping medication.
https://forms.office.com/r/dCY6V4Eij2
The survey runs until 31 Dec 2025.
Your privacy
This survey is anonymous. You will not be asked for your name or any identifying details, and your responses cannot be linked back to you. The survey is hosted on SurveyMonkey, which means SurveyMonkey may collect some standard technical information (such as your IP address), but the project team will only receive your survey answers. We will store the information securely and use it only to understand people’s experiences with antidepressants.
Because the survey is anonymous, we are unable to trace responses back to individuals, which means submitted information cannot be changed or withdrawn once completed.
Feel free to contact us at rethinking.meds@gmail.com for further queries and considerations.
You can also read more about how Microsoft collects and protects information in their Microsoft Privacy Policy.
Saman Hazir, PhD candidate at the University of Canterbury is seeking participants to be interviewed for his doctoral research project: ‘Expectations, Experiences, and Equity: How do lived experience partners influence mental health care in Aotearoa New Zealand?’
The research is supervised and supported through the School of Health Sciences at the University of Canterbury.
The participants
Participants should have personal lived experience of mental health and/or addiction challenges and recovery, and who have used that lived experience in a professional capacity (such as in advisory, governance, or service design roles) for at least six months, either currently or in the past.
Māori lived experience advisors are warmly encouraged to participate, as their perspectives are especially important for understanding how equity, cultural responsiveness, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations can be advanced within mental health care.
Pacific participants are also welcome to take part.
What’s involved
Each participant will be asked to take part in one interview lasting approximately 60 minutes. Interviews can be conducted either in person or online, depending on what is most convenient.
Participants will receive a summary of the research findings and may provide feedback if they wish.
More about the research and how to get involved
Read the Letter - Invitation to learn more (DOCX 37KB)
If you are interested in participating please email: saman.nazir@pg.canterbury.ac.nz
The Australasian College of Paramedicine is developing a future map for the paramedic profession, envisioning paramedics as integral to a collaborative, resilient and future-ready health system centred on person-focused care
The college is the peak professional body representing and supporting paramedics to provide the best person-centred care to communities across Australasia through leadership, education, research and advocacy.
Australasian College of Paramedicine – paramedics.org
About this consultation
As individuals who receive care from paramedics, consumers play a vital role in shaping this vision document, and your insights and perspectives are essential.
What’s required
- Read a confidential draft document (around 15 to 20 pages).
- Choose to either meet online for interview style conversation designed to capture your feedback or complete an online survey.
It should take around 1.5 to 2 hours to complete.
Applicants must be over the age of 18, and successful applicants will be remunerated.
Successful applicants will be emailed with further information.
How to apply
Complete the application form by 31 October 2025
If you are a paramedic, please contact the email below to arrange an alternative avenue for providing feedback.
For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Jemma Altmeier, Advocacy and Government Relations Manager: jemma.altmeier@paramedics.com
EOI: Workforce working group — palliative care
From Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ):
The National Palliative Care Steering Group is forming a fixed term working group to provide recommendations to grow and sustain a clinically and culturally competent, diverse palliative care workforce that represents the community it is serving and meets service demands.
If you are interested in learning more:
- Read the full nomination/expression of interest form (PDF 683KB)
- Read the terms of reference (PDF 663KB)
- Contact Stephanie Read (System Design Manager– Palliative Care, Health New Zealand) with any questions: Stephanie.Read@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz
How to apply:
- Complete the nomination/expression of interest form (PDF 683KB)
- Email the completed form to palliativecare@TeWhatuOra.govt.nz
Nominations and expressions of interest close on Friday 17 October.
EOI: Radiation Oncology Patient Information Website project — consumer representatives
From Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ):
The Radiation Oncology Service within the Canterbury Regional Cancer and Haematology Service is looking for two consumers to co-design content with for the service’s public facing website.
Their goal is to ensure information on the website is current and reflects the needs, preferences and cultural values of the people who use their services.
The Service is looking for consumers to review and provide feedback on current website information, and to help shape new content.
If you are interested in learning more:
- Read the full EOI from the Radiation Oncology Service (DOCX 375KB)
- Visit the current Oncology Service website
- Contact Alex Svoboda with any questions: alexandra.svoboda@cdhb.health.nz
How to apply:
If you’re interested in this opportunity, please apply before 30 October.
- Complete the online form
- Download the Word document version (below) and email the completed form to alexandra.svoboda@cdhb.health.nz
Download the Word document version of the EOI form (DOCX 587KB)
EOI: Become a community representative on the Global Emergency Care Committee
The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine is inviting expressions of interest to join the Global Emergency Care Committee to provide the perspective of non-clinical individuals on global emergency care. This is a voluntary role.
The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine is the not-for-profit organisation responsible for training emergency physicians and advancement of professional standards in emergency medicine in Australia and New Zealand.
About the Committee
The committee steers the work of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine by:
- ensuring emergency care is
- recognised as an essential part of universal health care
- is available and accessible to all
- providing leadership and expertise in sustainable and ethical global emergency care capacity development and voluntary work.
Who should apply
The college is seeking a community representative who can bring a consumer or community voice to global emergency care.
Applicants with experience in the international development sector, health care systems within low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), or international volunteer work are encouraged to apply.
You may come from a range of professional backgrounds, including research, academia, allied health, nursing, or programme management.
Find out more and apply
Meetings are held three times a year, with travel costs covered.
Community representative on the Global Emergency Care Committee – www.ethicaljobs.com
Have your say: Experiences with antidepressants
Have your say on your or your whānau members’ experience with antidepressants.
Around one in seven New Zealanders take medication for depression and anxiety, and the number of prescriptions continues to rise.
Clinical psychologist Valerie Tan and pharmacist prescriber Marleen van Oeveren from the University of Otago, Dunedin are spearheading a project to help understand what information is most useful when you are prescribed antidepressants and how clinicians and prescribers can work towards consistent practice so you are well supported to make informed choices.
Why they want to hear from you
Antidepressants are usually started with a visit to your GP, but the information people receive can vary depending on the prescriber, GP practice or health service.
To make the best decisions for themselves and their whānau, people need clear information about what antidepressants can do, possible side effects, how long they may be needed, and how they might affect day-to-day life.
Another part of the picture is stopping antidepressants. Valerie and Marleen are also interested in hearing from people who have stopped, or tried to stop, taking antidepressants.
Coming off medication can be straightforward for some, but more challenging for others, and they want to learn about the information and support people received during this process.
Take the survey
This short survey asks you about the information you received before taking antidepressants, what you found helpful, and what you wish you had known when starting and stopping medication.
https://forms.office.com/r/dCY6V4Eij2
The survey runs until 31 Dec 2025.
Your privacy
This survey is anonymous. You will not be asked for your name or any identifying details, and your responses cannot be linked back to you. The survey is hosted on SurveyMonkey, which means SurveyMonkey may collect some standard technical information (such as your IP address), but the project team will only receive your survey answers. We will store the information securely and use it only to understand people’s experiences with antidepressants.
Because the survey is anonymous, we are unable to trace responses back to individuals, which means submitted information cannot be changed or withdrawn once completed.
Feel free to contact us at rethinking.meds@gmail.com for further queries and considerations.
You can also read more about how Microsoft collects and protects information in their Microsoft Privacy Policy.
EOI: Take part in research on the role of lived experience partners in mental health
Saman Hazir, PhD candidate at the University of Canterbury is seeking participants to be interviewed for his doctoral research project: ‘Expectations, Experiences, and Equity: How do lived experience partners influence mental health care in Aotearoa New Zealand?’
The research is supervised and supported through the School of Health Sciences at the University of Canterbury.
The participants
Participants should have personal lived experience of mental health and/or addiction challenges and recovery, and who have used that lived experience in a professional capacity (such as in advisory, governance, or service design roles) for at least six months, either currently or in the past.
Māori lived experience advisors are warmly encouraged to participate, as their perspectives are especially important for understanding how equity, cultural responsiveness, and Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations can be advanced within mental health care.
Pacific participants are also welcome to take part.
What’s involved
Each participant will be asked to take part in one interview lasting approximately 60 minutes. Interviews can be conducted either in person or online, depending on what is most convenient.
Participants will receive a summary of the research findings and may provide feedback if they wish.
More about the research and how to get involved
Read the Letter - Invitation to learn more (DOCX 37KB)
If you are interested in participating please email: saman.nazir@pg.canterbury.ac.nz
Have your say: Vision for paramedicine
The Australasian College of Paramedicine is developing a future map for the paramedic profession, envisioning paramedics as integral to a collaborative, resilient and future-ready health system centred on person-focused care
The college is the peak professional body representing and supporting paramedics to provide the best person-centred care to communities across Australasia through leadership, education, research and advocacy.
Australasian College of Paramedicine – paramedics.org
About this consultation
As individuals who receive care from paramedics, consumers play a vital role in shaping this vision document, and your insights and perspectives are essential.
What’s required
- Read a confidential draft document (around 15 to 20 pages).
- Choose to either meet online for interview style conversation designed to capture your feedback or complete an online survey.
It should take around 1.5 to 2 hours to complete.
Applicants must be over the age of 18, and successful applicants will be remunerated.
Successful applicants will be emailed with further information.
How to apply
Complete the application form by 31 October 2025
If you are a paramedic, please contact the email below to arrange an alternative avenue for providing feedback.
For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Jemma Altmeier, Advocacy and Government Relations Manager: jemma.altmeier@paramedics.com
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.
System safety strategy rōpū
Ngā Reo Māhuri Young Voices group
FIT for symptomatic project
Published: 16 Sep 2022
Modified: 6 Oct 2025
