NZ Drug Foundation Parliamentary Symposium 2023

Symposium Programme:

8:00-9.15am Registrations

9:00am Mihi whakatau

9:45am Kai

10:00am Opening address

Chair: Tuari Potiki, Chairperson, NZ Drug Foundation

Keynote speakers: Sione Crawford, CEO of Harm Reduction Victoria and Arild Knutsen, Leader of the Association for Humane Drug Policies, Norway

10:30am Panel: Unmet health needs

Chair: Sarah Helm, Executive Director NZ Drug Foundation.

Suzanne Cookson, Chief Executive, ADHD NZ
Michelle Petricevich, Te Ara Oranga & Clinical Team Manager, Te Whatu Ora
Isra Morris, Community Activator, NZ Drug Foundation
Kelly Feng, Chief Executive for Asian Family Services
Jacqui Dillon, GM – Brand Innovation & Income, Auckland City Mission
Tricia Walsh, Lived Experience

11:30am Innovation pitch: Anna Christophorou, Speed Freaks

11:40am Panel: Unmet needs for Māori

Chair: Gilbert Taurua

Billy Macfarlane, General Manager, Tikanga Aroro Charitable Trust
Dr Hinemoa Elder, MNZM, Psychiatrist
Haehaetu Barrett, Chief Executive Officer, Lifewise
Aroha Metcalf, General Manager Oranga Hinengaro, Te Aka Whai Ora
Ngaire Smith, Lived Experience.

12:30pm Innovation pitch: Billy Macfarlane, Tikanga Aroro Charitable Trust

12:45pm Lunch

1:15pm Panel: Psychedelics as new therapeutic interventions and medicines

Short 5 min presentations each followed by a conversation led by Russell Brown

Chair: Russell Brown

Dr Suresh Muthukumaraswamy (Associate Professor, University of Auckland)
Manu Caddie (Co-Founder Matawai Bio)
Dr Mitchell Head (Neuroscientist, University of Waikato)
Zach Cotogni (Blue Honey author)
Dr Jacek Kolodziej (Policy Director, NZ Drug Foundation)

2:15pm Overdose prevention keynote: Scottish Drug Deaths, Kirsten Horsburgh, CEO, Scottish Drugs Forum

Followed by a short presentation on New Zealand's overdose fatalities by Emily Hughes, Principal Science Advisor, NZ Drug Foundation

3:00pm Coffee break

3:15pm Reflections and perspectives from The Cross-Party Group for Mental Health and Addiction

This group was launched at Parliament on 28 August 2019, and includes an MP from each party in Parliament. Speaking: Arena Williams (Labour) Chlöe Swarbrick (Green Party), Matt Doocey (National Party) and Mark Cameron (ACT Party).

4:00pm Practical workshop: Learn to identify and respond to an overdose

4:30pm Panel discussion: Barriers to healthcare for people with addiction or otherwise labelled ‘drug-seeking’

Chair: Ben Birks Ang, Deputy Director NZ Drug Foundation.

Sarikha Rosli (Lived Experience)
Helen Lockett (Equally Well)
Sheridan Pooley (CADS Regional Consumer Advisor)

5:00pm Closing Address: Associate Health Minister Peeni Henare

5:30pm Closing

5.30pm - 7:00pm Canapes & an address from Her Excellency, The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro GNZM, QSO, Governor-General of New Zealand in celebration of New Years Honours recipients Lotta Dann MNZM and Wendy Allison MNZM