Meeting the Challenge of Addictions
Addictions (alcohol and other drugs [AOD] and problem gambling) affect a significant number of New Zealanders, and contribute to social and economic harm to individuals, their families and whānau, and the wider community. Around 115,000 people have a substance use disorder in any year, yet only around 30,000 people receive specialist treatment.
The continued development of a responsive, effective and sustainable addiction workforce is vital, to provide the highest quality services and help minimise these harms.
AOD services are well established, and around 1300 people currently work in the specialist addiction sector, but the workforce is ageing and does not reflect the ethnic composition of people presenting to services. More qualified and skilled staff need to be recruited and retained.
Matua Raki, the National Addiction Workforce Development Centre, is a leader in the development of the addiction workforce, both at organisational and individual levels.
Our Vision
Matua Raki’s aim is for a highly skilled, confident and competent workforce which, supported by a sound infrastructure, will provide accessible and effective services which minimise addiction-related harm and improve health for people with addiction problems and their families and whānau. The name Matua Raki describes the “passion and commitment” of the addiction treatment sector and its drive for excellence.
About us
In 2004 the Ministry of Health contracted the National Addiction Centre at the University of Otago to develop and host a National Addiction Treatment Workforce Development Programme. In 2008 Matua Raki moved to Wellington and is now hosted by Te Rau Matatini, the National Māori Health Workforce Development Centre, which provides a range of shared services and governance. Matua Raki is overseen by an Advisory Group, made up of addiction stakeholders, which informs and supports Matua Raki to achieve its work programme.
What is addiction workforce development?
Workforce development is a multi-faceted approach aimed at enhancing the capability and capacity of the addiction workforce, and other workforces which offer related services. Broad and comprehensive, it is directed at individuals, organisations and structural development. A continuing whole of systems approach involves specific strategies that target recruitment, retention, leadership, core competencies, training and development, career pathways, organisational culture, evaluation and research and policy development.
With its multidisciplinary approach, Matua Raki is responsive to new developments and well positioned to work with the Government’s social agenda to help achieve its goal of reducing addiction-related harm.
What we do
Matua Raki supports innovation and works towards evidence-based workforce development solutions through a broad range of activities such as policy development, training programmes, boosting sector relationships and networking, resource development, research and competency development. Strengths include the development of training initiatives, high levels of cultural competency (Māori and Pacific) and consumer involvement.
Matua Raki provides leadership and has important strategic relationships with key stakeholders, including service providers, training providers, professional bodies and policy makers.
Effective treatment works for people with addiction-related problems. Our aim is to ensure a confident and competent workforce, of sufficient number, to contribute to the minimisation of addiction-related harm.