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As we celebrate international nurses’ day, I want to acknowledge and honour the extraordinary contribution of mental health, addiction and intellectual disability nurses across Aotearoa New Zealand.

This year’s theme reminds us of the strength, influence and future of nursing, and our specialty nursing workforce demonstrates this everyday through compassionate, skilled and relationship focused care

I am immensely proud of the leadership, innovation and aroha shown by our nurses in all settings and communities. Whether supporting people in times of distress ,walking alongside whānau in recovery journeys or advocating for equity and human rights, our nurses bring clinical excellence and humanity together in powerful ways

Mental health, addiction and intellectual disability nursing is a deeply holistic practise that reflects manaakitanga, partnership, courage and hope. 

Last year the international council of nurses developed mental health nursing guidelines that were reinforced globally and reflect what we already know; that specialist mental health nursing is essential to the wellbeing of individuals whanau and communities now and into the future

To all nurses in our specialty areas – Tēnā koutou tēnā koutou katoa, thank you for your dedication, wisdom and care.

Happy International Nurses Day

Kym Park 

President

Te Ao Māramatanga – New Zealand College of Mental Health Nurses