Activities:
On the 14th September 2006 (the inaugural World Hearing Voices Day) a Hearing Voices Forum took place. The forum was organised by Vanessa Beavan, a researcher from Auckland University, with support from the Mental Health Foundation and the Mental Health Commission of New Zealand.

This was a forum with speakers presenting on the experience of hearing voices from cultural, spiritual and clinical perspectives. We heard about different perspectives on the experience of hearing voices; met other voice-hearers and shared experiences over a light supper; and discussed ideas for the establishment of a NZ Hearing Voices Network. All were welcome: voice-hearers, their friends and families, researchers and clinicians. Presenting were Vanessa Beavan sharing some of her research; Ron Coleman sharing his experiences from the UK Hearing Voices Network; Mahinarangi Tocker spoke of some Maori perspectives; Arana Pearson presented as did Debra Lampshire from Auckland.

The establishment of a Hearing Voices Network in New Zealand was proposed at the meeting and some of those present came together once again in November to begin the large but important task of developing a hearing voices network specifically designed for New Zealanders. The main focus of this meeting was the question of how to proceed, and in particular, resources they should be drawing on in these early stages of the development of the network. They are currently investigating possible funding sources which might provide the HVN with the means to employ someone to lead the development of the network. The role would also involve facilitating support groups and education (liaising with the community, working with clinicians).

The group would also like to extend their appreciation and gratitude to Arana Pearson for his fabulous efforts and successful launch of the first NZ HVN newsletter, launched at the ISPS conference in November 2006. To receive a copy of this newsletter and sign up for future editions, go to Keepwell New Zealand, and click on “free stuff.”

Arana is being supported by Vanessa Bevan, who has now completed her research into voice hearing experiences in New Zealand. A summary of research entitled “Angels at our tables: A summary of the findings from a 3-year research project into New Zealanders’ Experiences of Hearing Voices” is available here as a download.

In the year since the inaugral meeting in New Zealand the Hearing Voices Network has accomplished a lot.
It is now an Incorporated Society called “Hearing Voices Network Aotearoa New Zealand Incorporated.” The incorporation took place on September 14th 2007, the World Hearing Voices Day.

Thanks to a dedicated team of supporters for our network we are gradually achieving our aims.
We have a Yahoo group site , closed to the public where we can exchange information about our network, and latest news and research from around the world for our members. On this site we also have many links and files with helpful information and handouts.
We have designed a small pamphlet to give out to the community and have many handouts which we supply at our support groups and presentations.

We are planning a comprehensive website this coming year .

Our first support group meets every second Wednesday evening from 7.00pm to 8.30pm, which has been running for almost a year now. We have people coming regularly. It is friendly and informal and all manner of things are discussed. There is no pressure to attend, all participation is voluntary. This is held at present at Henderson, Auckland. A second group is starting up on the North Shore.

We held a seminar for World Hearing Voices Day last year, that introduced many various experiences of voice hearing, such as shamanism and spiritualism and during grief. We are planning to hold at least two similar events a year. The next one is coming up in May 2008 for our first Annual General meeting.

If anyone is interested in starting a support group in New Zealand, please contact us and we can help you with information, and assistance to get it going. We are always keen to have more helping hands whether you are a voice hearer , family, caregiver or mental health worker, you all have valuable help you can provide.

If you would like to become a member of our society and to support our network, please contact us and we can send you an application form, or for more information on our support groups please contact us as below.

Contact:
Hearing Voices Network Aotearoa NZ Inc
PO Box 78-132
Grey Lynn
Auckland, New Zealand

Email: hearingvoices@woosh.co.nz