Peer Workforce Values

GUIDING VALUE

Hauora

DEFINITION

Recognises wellbeing as holistic and interconnected, encompassing physical, emotional, social, spiritual, cultural and relational dimensions across people and whānau

  • We work towards wellbeing that recognises physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs and the importance of whānau and community for others and ourselves

  • We work to create environments that support the wellbeing of tāngata whai ora and kaimahi

  • We respect cultural understandings of wellbeing and healing

  • We work on our own hauora and support other to do the same

  • We value hauora-informed thinking in our ways of working

Foundational Value

LIVED AND LIVING EXPERIENCE

Shaping how we build relationships, our mahi, and how we influence systems

DEFINITION

“Firsthand knowledge, insights and understanding gained through personal life circumstances”

  • We value our and others’ experiences of MHA challenges and recovery.

  • We use lived and living experience deliberately and ethically.

  • We ensure lived and living experiences guides services to ensure best outcomes for tāngata whaiora and whānau

  • We use our LEX to name inequity, tokensim and discrimination to drive system change

  • We model reflective and accountable mahi and support others purposefully

Whanaungatanga

DEFINITION

Relationships based on connection, mutuality, and shared responsibility. In CPSLE mahi it means working alongside people, whānau, colleagues and communities in ways that build trust, respect, and collaboration, that support meaningful partnerships and shared decision making

  • We ground our relationships in respect, trust and shared humanity. We value reciprocity, openness, and clear ethical boundaries

  • We work alongside people and whānau as partners and experts in their own lives, respecting diverse experiences and different worldviews

  • We work collaboratively with whānau, communities, CPSLE kaimahi, and other professionals

  • We work honestly and respectfully when navigating differences or challenges in relationships

  • We value whanaungatanga that honours lived and living experience

Equity

Mana Motuhake

DEFINITION

The right of people and communities to embrace their self-determination and autonomy while defining their own aspirations, make informed choices, and exercise authority over their lives and wellbeing

  • We work to provide informed choices by clearly explaining options and supporting understanding and decision making

  • We work to uphold people’s rights to make their own decisions and support their authority over their lives, identities and hauora journeys

  • We support self advocacy so people speak up, make choices, and exercise authority over their lives and wellbeing

  • We support whānau involvement

  • We work to challenge practices or systems that undermine people’s dignity or autonomy

GUIDING VALUE

Social Justice

DEFINITION

Addresses the social, cultural, political and systemic conditions that shape wellbeing, access and outcomes. In CPSLE mahi it involves challenging inequity beyond individual interactions and working towards fairer systems, structures and policies

  • We understand structural factors like poverty, racism, colonisation, stigma and policy setting affect wellbeing

  • We used Lived and living experiences (LEX) knowledge to challenge unjust policies, processes, and system design in our roles

  • We value collective action and support system level change where we can

  • We work to improve the experiences of people impacted by mental health challenges, addiction and service us through ensuring their experiences are seen and learned from

  • We understand the difference between individual advocacy and systemic advocacy and their place within the roles we work inWe value fairness, dignity and justice in how systems and services operate

Hope

DEFINITION

Is a commitment to possibility, growth, and change even in the presence of challenge, uncertainty, or systemic barriers. In CPSLE mahi hope is grounded, realistic and relational, supporting people to identify meaningful next steps and sustain belief in their potential

  • We work with hope that is genuine, realistic and free from judgement: expressing hope through our words, presence and actions

  • We support people to identify what matters to them, recognising their strengths and resilience

  • We maintain hope over time, even when change is slow

  • We work with information that supports informed choices and clear understanding

  • We value people’s authority over their own lives, identities, and hauora journeys

  • We work with whānau, especially those identified by tāngata whaiora

The VALUES come from Te Pou’s recently reviewed COMPETENCIES FOR THE AOTEAROA CPSLE WORKFORCE [2026]

“The competencies reflect a collective effort. They carry the voices, insights and aspirations of many across the sector”

Effort have been made to “ensure that [the] lived and living experience voice is recognised and visible throughout this transformation”.

LINK follows to Competencies:

LINK TO DOCUMENT


DEFINITION

Commitment to fairness in access, experience, and outcomes, recognising that different people and communities face different barriers and therefore need different supports to achieve wellbeing

  • We work to understand how injustices can affect people.

  • We identify injustices, prejudice and bias and work to address them by advocating for change.

  • We have open discussions about discrimination, trauma, oppression, crisis and safety.

  • We use supportive and respectful language.

  • We respect privacy and confidentiality.