This blog shines a light on past speakers and collaborators who have helped shape TheMHS events through their bold ideas, lived experience, and innovative approaches to mental health. By showcasing the people spearheading change across the sector, the post celebrates their contributions while inspiring others to think differently, connect more deeply, and continue pushing for progress. It’s a tribute to the voices driving transformation—and a reminder of the powerful impact that shared knowledge and collaboration can have.
Phyllis raised among her whanau in Ngāti Awa and Te Arawa (also Ngati Ranginui and Nati Haua) strongly connected to her whakapapa, whanau, and whenua. Phyllis has extensive experience in working in health (Mental Health, Maori Health) at a local, regional and national level.
Phyllis currently works with Emerge Aotearoa and provides leadership to the organisations aspiration to become a Tangata Tiriti organisation, Māori Health, and Equity for Māori.
She is community member for the mental health review tribunal NZ, a member of Platform, Te Kaunihera RANZCP, on the governance group of Te Tahe Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission, and the Mental Health and Addictions partnership group (former DHBs). Phyllis is partner to Wi, mum to Hui, Te Kahu o te Rangi, Tahangawari and Tamihana and nan to her seven mokopuna.
What has been a highlight of your career thus far?
There have been so many highlights in my career journey. As the youngest in my whānau, I want to first acknowledge my mother, Mary Mihipeka Moanaroa. She was always there—supportive, generous with her time, energy, and encouragement. She was a constant for me. Every opportunity that came my way, she was with me, walking beside me, uplifting me. Her belief in me was unwavering, and I carry her with me in all that I do.
A significant influence in my professional life was Ray Watson. Ray came to work at Rotorua Hospital in the early 1990s as the Manager of Mental Health and Addiction Services, a role he held for several years before becoming Chief Executive Officer. Ray had a sharp mind and a powerful presence—he had the ability to bring people with him, to guide them on a journey of transformation. Under his leadership, the mental health service underwent significant change during a time of great challenge. His leadership helped lay the foundations for more responsive, inclusive services.
In 1996, Ray was appointed as one of three commissioners to New Zealand’s first Mental Health Commission, alongside Dr Barbara Disley (Chair) and Sir Mason Durie. Together, this trio led the Commission during a critical time of reform, following the launch of the 1996 National Mental Health Strategy. Their work played a major role in reshaping the mental health sector and advocating for the rights and needs of mental health consumers across Aotearoa.
The 1990s were an incredible time for Māori Mental Health in Aotearoa. There was momentum. There was hope. There were countless opportunities for Māori working in mental health to meet, share innovations, celebrate our successes, and collectively consider what we needed to do to advance our work. It was a time when Kaupapa Māori services flourished, and the development of Māori providers gained real traction. To be part of that journey—to stand alongside so many passionate and visionary Māori leaders—was truly a highlight of my career.
In the early 2000s, I was appointed to the Mental Health Review Tribunal, encouraged by none other than the late Dame Tariana Turia. I can still hear her voice when she rang me:
“Refresh your CV, Phyllie. You’re going on the Tribunal.” At the time, I had no idea what the Tribunal was. But with her encouragement and belief in me, I accepted the challenge—and have proudly served on the Tribunal for over 20 years. It has been an honour and a responsibility I have never taken lightly.
Are there any tools, models, or practices you’re currently exploring that excite you?
I acknowledge and honour the extraordinary contributions of Tā Mason Durie, whose work has fundamentally shaped the landscape of Māori health and mental wellbeing in Aotearoa. Through the development of seminal Māori models of practice—Te Whare Tapa Whā, Te Pae Mahutonga, and Hua Oranga—Tā Mason provided not only frameworks, but also Kaupapa Māori solutions that have empowered services, practitioners, and whānau alike.
I had the privilege of being in his presence on many occasions, particularly when he presented these models at national conferences. His clarity, mana, and deep insight always left a lasting impression. More than that, I had the opportunity to trial and implement these models in services—seeing firsthand their transformative impact.
These contributions were more than academic; they offered holistic, culturally grounded pathways to wellbeing. They shifted paradigms—challenging Western-centric models and restoring a place for Māori worldviews in mainstream health practice. They enabled services to better honour te Tiriti o Waitangi and to truly engage with hauora in its fullest sense—acknowledging the spiritual, mental, physical, and whānau dimensions of health.
Tā Mason’s legacy lives on in the everyday practices of countless practitioners and in the improved wellbeing of Māori communities. His work remains a taonga for our nation.
What is a resource you think more people should know about?
I am a strong advocate for Māori development in mental health and addictions. We know that Māori continue to experience disproportionately high rates of mental distress, addiction, and suicide. (Insert specific data/statistics here, e.g., Māori are twice as likely to experience serious mental health challenges and are overrepresented in compulsory treatment under the Mental Health Act.)
Despite these challenges, there is incredible strength, innovation, and leadership within our mental health and addiction sector. To support this workforce and ensure culturally grounded, effective services, we must continue to invest in tools and enablers that uphold mana Māori, enhance capability, and embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi into everyday practice.
Some of the tools and enablers that can support include:
- Cultural frameworks and models: Tools like Te Whare Tapa Whā, Te Pae Mahutonga, and Hua Oranga provide holistic, Māori-led approaches to wellbeing that resonate with whānau and align with te ao Māori.
- Kaupapa Māori training and professional development: Access to training in mātauranga Māori, tikanga, and kaupapa Māori practices builds confidence and cultural safety among kaimahi Māori and non-Māori alike.
- Supervision: Ongoing cultural and clinical supervision, along with safe spaces for Maori practitioners and Kaimahi is critical as we often work in high-pressure environments.
- Leadership pathways and mentoring: Investment in Māori leadership development, mentoring, and succession planning ensures a strong future for our sector to lead improvements in Maori Health outcomes. And more investment in Kaupapa Māori services.
- Policy and funding support: Services must be resourced equitably, with Te Tiriti-aligned funding models that empower Māori providers to design and deliver services by Māori, for Māori, and support Mainstream services to be responsive.
What is a wellbeing activity or practice that is a staple in your life?
One of the most important and fulfilling wellbeing activities for me is spending time with my whānau—especially my mokopuna. They are our future, our taonga, and every moment I get to spend with them is a gift. Whether it’s sitting together, sharing stories, laughing, or simply being present, these are the moments that ground me and uplift me.
It is during these precious times that I can nurture, support, encourage, and lead—passing on our values, our tikanga, and our aroha. Being with my mokopuna reminds me of my purpose. It strengthens my wairua and inspires me to continue the mahi—to leave a legacy they and their generation can be proud of.
Whakataukī
“He taonga te mokopuna, he mokopuna te taonga.” (A grandchild is a treasure; a treasure is a grandchild.)
This whakataukī captures the deep intergenerational bond and the immense value we place on our tamariki and mokopuna as carriers of our hopes, dreams, and identity.
