Following the handover of the report to the Government on 28 November 2018, the Panel members are now functus officio which means they have ceased to be panel members because the Inquiry is now formally completed.
Professor Paterson has been a leading voice for health and disability consumers for many years, notably as Health and Disability Commissioner (2000–2010). He is a Professor of Law at the University of Auckland. Ron is recognised internationally for his expertise in consumers’ rights, regulation of health practitioners and healthcare quality improvement. He has chaired several major health system reviews in Australia, including the Review of National Aged Care Quality Regulatory Processes (2017). He chaired the Counties Manukau Maternity Care Review (2012) and recently reviewed the Veterans’ Support Act for the Chief of the Defence Force.
View Professor Paterson's Inquiry updates.
Dr Disley has filled a number of leadership roles in the mental health sector since the 1990s and has an in-depth understanding of mental health and addiction services. She is a former Director of the Mental Health Foundation (1991-1996), and a former Executive Chair of the Mental Health Commission (1996-2002) and is currently Chief Executive of Emerge Aotearoa, which works in the mental health sector.
Sir Mason is a member of the Ngāti Kauwhata, Ngāti Raukawa and Rangitane Iwi. He has had a lifelong commitment to public health, including mental health and addiction, with a particular expertise in Māori health and culture. He has served on range of health-related committees, councils and advisory groups, including the Mental Health Foundation (1976-1980), Royal Commission on Social Policy (1986-88), The National Health Committee (1998-2000) and was a Families Commissioner (2003-2007). Since 2002, he has been a leader in Te Rau Matatini, Māori Mental Health Workforce Development. He is currently an Emeritus Professor at Massey University.
Dean Rangihuna is of Ngāti Porou and Ngāti Hei descent. Dean worked for 14 years in the community prior to his appointment as a Māori Consumer Advisor. He has also worked as a Pukenga Atawhai/Māori health worker for the Canterbury DHB’s specialist mental health service since 2005, alongside the community mental health team, crisis resolution, adult and forensic inpatient units, Police, Courts and whānau/families. Dean is also active advising from a cultural perspective at the national level and was recently part of an expert advisory group set up by the Ministry of Health to look at the Mental Health Act and Human Rights. He has also been invited to be a member of the Ngā Rōpū Kaitiaki Advisory Panel for Te Rau Matatini for Māori workforce development. In November 2016, Dean was appointed to the National Training Governance Committee for Safe Practice and Effective Communication, which is the national training programme to reduce the use of seclusion and restraint in mental health facilities.
Dr Tiatia-Seath has particular expertise and experience in Pacific mental health, and suicide prevention and postvention. She is a member of the Health Research Council’s Public Health Research Committee, the Mental Health Foundation’s Suicide Bereavement Service Advisory Group and a former member of the Health Quality and Safety Commission’s Suicide Mortality Review Committee (2014-2016). Jemaima is currently Co-Head of the School of Māori Studies and Pacific Studies and Head of Pacific Studies at the University of Auckland.
Josiah Tualamali’i brings a youth perspective to the Inquiry. In 2016, he received the Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Award for Leadership and Inspiration. He is currently the Chair of the Pacific Youth Leadership and Transformation Trust, which assists Pacific Young people to participate in all worlds, and a Director on the board of Le Va, the Pacific Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and Addictions lead.
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