“stakeholder includes—

• “(a) the Ministry; and

• “(b) district health boards; and

• “(c) mental health service funders; and

• “(d) providers; and

• “(e) people with mental illnesses, and their families and caregivers; and

• “(f) groups representing the interests of people with mental illness and their families and caregivers”.

“6 Functions of Commission

• The functions of the Commission are—

  • “(a) to act as an advocate for the interests of people with mental illness and their families generally (rather than for individuals or groups), while taking into account the interests of other stakeholders; and

  • “(b) to promote and facilitate collaboration and communication about mental health issues among—

    • “(i) stakeholders and representatives in the mental health, government, academic, and community sectors; and

    • “(ii) members of the general public; and

  • “(c) to work, independently and with others,—

    • “(i) to promote better understanding of mental illness by the community; and

    • “(ii) to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and prejudice shown towards people with mental illness and their families and caregivers; and

    • “(iii) to eliminate inappropriate discrimination on the ground of mental illness against people with mental illness and their families and caregivers; and

  • “(d) to monitor, and to report to and advise the Minister on, any matter relating to the implementation of the national mental health strategy—

    • “(i) at intervals agreed between the Minister and the Commission; and

    • “(ii) when otherwise requested by the Minister; and

    • “(iii) from time to time, as the Commission thinks fit; and

  • “(e) to stimulate and support policy-makers and the funders and providers of mental health services in developing integrated, effective, and efficient methods or systems of providing care that meet the needs of their communities; and

  • “(f) to stimulate and undertake research into any matter relevant to mental illness.”

“10 Term of office of member of Commission to cease when Act expires, or earlier

• When this Act expires, the term of office of every member of the Commission who has not ceased to hold office before that time expires.”