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In 2009, the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership(IIMHL) met for its 8th international meeting. IIMHL provides an international infrastructure to identify and exchange information about effective leadership, management and operational practices in the delivery of mental health services. It encourages the development of organisational and management best practice within mental health services through collaborative and innovative arrangements among mental health leaders.

In advance of the 2009 IIMHL meeting in Australia, a special indigenous leaders in mental health group was hosted by Dr. Mason Durie at Massey University in New Zealand.  The Group included indigenous leaders in policy, practice and research from Canada, USA, Australia, Samoa, and New Zealand:

• Dr. Mason Durie - Massey University, New Zealand
• Ray Watson - Commissioner, Mental Health Commission, New Zealand
• Carole Maraku – Te Upoko O Nga Oranga O Te Rae, New Zealand
• Dr. Reese Tapsell – Director, Midland Forensic Mental Health Services, New Zealand
• Dr. Te Kani Kingi – Director of Academy of Maori Research, Massey University, New Zealand
• Nani McCloskey - Te Upoko o Te Rae, New Zealand
• Kimini Anderson – Queensland Health, Australia
• Dr. Helen Milroy - University of Western Australia
• Sailau Sualii-Sauni – Otago University in Samoa
• Dr. Spero Manson - Cook Inlet Tribal Council Inc., United States
• Carol Hopkins - Youth Solvent Abuse, Canada
• Rose Sones – Assembly of First Nations, Canada

In the space of the two day meeting, the participants quickly found that they shared similar concerns regarding indigenous mental health:

• Indigenous continue to face higher rates of mental illness
• Inconsistent culturally competent services from mainstream health systems
• Low numbers of indigenous leaders in mental health in the countries, and the challenges they face in bridging indigenous and non-indigenous fields

The Group wrote the Wharerātā Declaration as an approach to systematically resolve these concerns in IIMHL countries. While the Declaration focuses on mental health, the Group believes it also applies to indigenous health.  The Declaration is a ground-breaking document focussing on our approach to cultural competency in mental health, and a unique framework to support the development of indigenous leaders in mental health and addictions. 

The Wharerātā Group continues to share successful practices and ideas as a virutal network of indigenous leaders. This website is the result of the need to effectively share these ideas with the members, and with indigenous practioners and leaders around the world, as well as their partners and funders.