Advisory Groups

Alzheimers NZ speaks on behalf of those affected by dementia mate wareware in Aotearoa New Zealand. To help us better understand what is important to people with a diagnosis of dementia and their whānau and friends, we have two advisory groups currently supporting us.

Advisory group

Alzheimers NZ Lived Experience Advisory Group

The Alzheimers NZ  Lived Experience Advisory Group is a group of people who have come together to make a real difference for all people affected by dementia mate wareware. This work includes:

  • Letting Alzheimers NZ know the issues that are important to all people affected by dementia mate wareware so these can be advocated to Government
  • Giving Alzheimers NZ real life stories and experiences of what it is like be affected by dementia mate wareware
  • Providing advice to Alzheimers NZ on the support and care that is needed by people affected by dementia mate wareware
  • Raising awareness of the Group and encouraging others to join and share their stories.

The Group includes people with a diagnosis of dementia mate wareware and whānau who provide support. Being a member of the group doesn’t take large amounts of time and it feels great to know you are making a contribution by sharing your thoughts and opinions that can help thousands of New Zealanders.

If you are keen to become involved in the Lived Experience Advisory Group or would like to find out more, please call us 0800 004 001.

Mate Wareware Advisory Rōpū

The Mate Wareware Advisory Rōpū provides insight into the experience, needs and expectations of whānau living with mate wareware (dementia). This includes but is not limited to:

  • Elevating the need for on-going, improved quality care for all whānau living with mate wareware.
  • Developing/providing advice on a Mate Wareware Action Plan to sit within the NZ Dementia Action Plan.
  • Identifying issues and opportunities for the three dementia NGOs to advocate with Government.
  • Providing examples and personal stories.
  • Providing advice to dementia mate wareware NGOs on support and care, from a Te Ao Māori perspective, that best addresses the needs of whānau living with mate wareware.

The Kaiwhakarite/Chairperson is Dr Makarena Dudley. The Mate Wareware Advisory Rōpū provides advice to Alzheimers NZ, Dementia NZ and the NZ Dementia Foundation.

  • Valuing the advocacy of people with dementia Thumbnail Image

    Valuing the advocacy of people with dementia

    Dementia Alliance International

    This report highlights why the voices and experiences of people living with dementia mate wareware must be a critical component within the policy making process, and provides some great examples of what that looks like in practice. This includes how our Advisory Group here in Aotearoa New Zealand has strengthened the work we do. We are strongly supportive of DAI’s work over the years to bring the voice of people living with dementia mate wareware to policy making around the world.