Substitute decision-making, where others make decisions for us, can cause and exacerbate distress, harm and inequities, particularly for Māori. International treaties and guidelines, domestic codes of rights, and He Ara Oranga (the government inquiry into mental health and addiction) require that substitute decision-making be replaced with supported decision-making. This approach involves supporting individuals to make their own mental health decisions based on their will and preferences, in both law and mental health practice. 

Stakeholders have expressed that Mental Health Advance Preference Statements (MAPS) are a useful tool that can facilitate supported decision-making. As such, we are undertaking a comprehensive project to create, implement and evaluate MAPS in the mental health settings of Te Whatu Ora Lakes and Te Whatu Ora Waikato.