Consumer Collaboration

The Consumer Collaboration of Aotearoa/New Zealand is an exciting new initiative designed to strengthen consumer voice in the health sector in New Zealand. Major partners and supporters for this initiative have been the New Zealand Guidelines Group and the Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner.

In 2004, a comprehensive paper 'Effective Consumer Voice and Participation for New Zealand' was commissioned by the Guideline Group and written by Women's Health Action Founding Director, Sandra Coney. This evidence based paper examines national and international consumer organisations and the ways in which they organise collectively. It was the basis for discussion at the first nationwide consumer summit in 2005.

A second Summit in 2007 provided feedback on a proposed Constitution and workstreams for the Consumer Collaboration. Women's Health Action director, Jo Fitzpatrick chairs the Establishment Planning group and the first AGM to set up the new consumer entity is planned for May 2009.

More information is available here.