Changing Minds

There are several bills currently open in Parliament for public submission.

Here we draw your attention to the Disability Support Services Bill.

CCS Disability Action have done an amazing job of deciphering the Bill and its impacts. You can read their guide here and make a submission 👉 https://f.mtr.cool/erlbcfgflf

Submissions close on Friday 12 June.

In his new book Te kaikaukau + the swimmer, the incomparable Witi Ihimaera Smiler shares the following quote—

"In Western thinking, the ego is the principal definition of the individual. The European philosopher René Descartes famously proposed the dictum 'I think, therefore I am," cogito, ergo sum.

My aunt Ngoingoi Pēwhairangi posited the Māori alternative: 'I am before I think,' ko au i mua i aku whakaaro."

This is so poignant. It's very easy to get wrapped up in our thoughts, defined by them, limited by them. The Western worldview places the individual at the centre of their universe, which is an incredibly isolating place to be.

There are many collective cultural worldviews, like te ao Māori, that we can learn from that tell us language and culture and history and heritage and connections with people and nature are what shape us, not our thoughts.

🔶Election 2026🔶 Survey closes Friday 5 June - we want to hear from you 💬

The Government released its Budget 2026 yesterday. Every year, we need to get in the habit of asking - what's in it for you? What's in it for me? What's in it for us?

There's investment going into front line health services, which is welcomed. For mental health, specifically growing forensic mental health services - although the amount is undisclosed. There are questions to ask here - we've heard from the LE community in consultations recently about what it is that's really needed. We don't want to keep relying on the ambulances at the bottom of the cliff. Yes, crisis response and critical demand services are an important and necessary support, but the community is asking for investment in prevention, in early intervention, in education.

We'd love to hear your thoughts. As you may have seen, we've been running a series of posts from the previous General Election in 2023, when we asked you to let us know what you wanted MPs to know about living with Lived Experience.

We're collating your responses again for Election 2026 to send a letter to the political parties to get their replies about how they will support Lived Experience if they're elected to govern. This is designed to help you make an informed choice come election day.

Please fill out our short survey here to share your thoughts with us 👉 https://f.mtr.cool/kvgotkzcnx You can go in the draw to win one of three $50 Prezzy cards.

New 'Take It From Us' podcast episode 🎙️

Dave Burnside started drinking at eight. He was drawn into the gang scene and drugs in Auckland. Multiple prison sentences followed - he was angry, railing against the system.

Then one day in Spring Hill Prison, a man from his past appeared at his cell door. Another Dave, someone just like him - gangs, drugs, the same story. But this Dave had found recovery and peace.

Dave didn't remember the words, but he remembered the feeling. "I want what you've got," he thought. That moment shifted everything.

Now Dave mentors incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people, visits prisons, campaigns for drug law reform, and challenges public perception around crime. He's doing a PhD, lecturing at universities, and travelling globally with a message of redemption.

🎧 Hear Dave's powerful story on Take It From Us with Kent Johns from Thursday 28 May.

🔗 Listen here ▶️ https://f.mtr.cool/rxarmbdpxx
📱 Or wherever you get your podcasts.