Lived Experience (Consumer) Advisor

Lived Experience Advisor, Nelson Hospital, Permanent Fulltime

• Work in a role where you get to facilitate, strategically advise and engage with service providers, staff and management. 
• Join the Mental Health and Addiction Leadership Team in a region of abundant sunshine, work life balance and stunning outdoor scenery.

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is firmly grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and is committed to building a health system that serves all New Zealanders.

About the Role

As a Lived Experience Advisor in the Mental Health and Addiction services, you will provide strategic advice from the perspective of individuals with lived experience of mental distress and/or addiction to the organisation. You'll work across our services and region with a focus on systemic issues related to the needs and values of tāngata whai ora Māori and their whānau.

A key component of this role will be acting as the facilitator between clinicians and patients through restorative process. You'll bring experience of accessing secondary mental health services and want to use that experience to bring about systemic change. A key component of this role will be acting as the facilitator between clinicians and patients through restorative process, a system-focused advisor, and working in collaboration with the Mental Health & Addictions clinicians.

This is a permanent full-time role working 80 hours per fortnight (1.0 FTE), Monday to Friday between 8.00am to 5.00pm. This role is across the regions Mental Health and Addiction Teams.

No on-call is required and there are no rostered shifts.

Please read the position description for further information.

About the Team/Service/ Location

The Lived Experience Advisor works in collaboration and co-operation within Nelson Marlborough Mental Health and Addiction services. They also work closely with relevant internal and external stakeholders.

For more information on living and working in Nelson click here

About you

As a Lived Experience Advisor in the Mental Health and Addictions services, you will:

• Already attain personal lived experience of accessing secondary mental health services and can share appropriate and relevant experiences to influence systemic change;
• Apply your understanding of the lived experience and peer workforce, uphold peer values and understand recovery that is trauma-informed, strengths-based, and wellbeing orientated;
• Have experience in project, advisory, and group work with diverse groups of people and can work with differences in opinion and move collectively towards a common goal;
• Understand the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and how they apply to the health sector, knowledge of tikanga and Te Reo Māori, and connections with Māori communities;
• Know the relevant rights, legislation, policies and standards. e.g. Health and Disability Code of Consumer Rights, Te Whatu Ora Values and can recognise and champion the voices of current tāngata whai ora in quality improvement, service design, and delivery.

We are looking for a skilled and passionate individual.

The successful candidate must be eligible to work in New Zealand or hold a valid NZ visa at the time of applying.

Working at Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is dedicated to ensuring excellent healthcare for the people of New Zealand. We embrace a workforce that is diverse and inclusive so that we are better positioned to understand and service our community. We welcome applications from our diverse Māori, Pacific, disabled, and rainbow communities. 

How to Apply

To apply please click 'apply now.' All applications must be submitted through our online careers' portal by 11 February 2026. If you have any questions about the role, please contact

Sonja Rae (Recruitment) at sonja.rae@tewhatuora.govt.nz or

Selwyn Mason (General Manager - Mental Health & Addictions) at selwyn.mason@nmdhb.govt.nz .

Job ref: R1N26-004

We will review applications as received and may proceed with the recruitment process, before the closing date of this advert.