NZ Conference 2025: What Cultural Safety looks like in Practice

In this podcast we dive into the vital topic of cultural safety—what it means in practice, how it shapes the wellbeing of diverse communities, and why it remains a cornerstone of effective and compassionate mental-health care in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia!

 Dr. Ramya Vadivel is a psychiatrist and the New Zealand representative for the Section of Early Career Psychiatrists (SECP) at RANZCP. She has experience in general adult and addictions psychiatry and has contributed to mental health research, including studies on COVID-19's impact on mental health and addictions. 

 Dr. Charlie Mentzel is a psychiatrist and academic acting as a Senior Lecturer at University of Otago and practising clinician. With a PhD in movement disorders in severe mental illness. She serves as Co-Convenor of the 2025 RANZCP New Zealand Conference.

Prof Richard Harvey is a psychiatrist in private practice based in Victoria. He is a deputy chair of the Policy, Practice and Partnerships Committee. He holds an academic position at Deakin University in Geelong. He was co-chair of the Code of Ethics review steering group. 

Sam Farr is the first “Lived & Living Experience Senior Adviser (Consumer)” at RANZCP. Drawing on his own experience as a mental-health consumer, he now works as a practitioner and focuses on service-design and system change. His goal is to ensure lived experience informs psychiatry policy and practice within the College. 

Kate Fulford is a pharmacist and health-service innovator invited by RANZCP for her work supporting marginalised and First Nations communities. She leads strategy and clinical innovation at a primary-care centre and champions equitable access to healthcare. 

Dr. Mark Lawrence is a Māori adult psychiatrist working in Tauranga, Aotearoa New Zealand. He serves as a Board Director at RANZCP and advocates strongly for Māori mental-health equity. He also lectures in psychiatry at the University of Auckland. 

Dr. Angelo Virgona is a veteran psychiatrist with decades of clinical, private-practice, and service-administration experience. He chaired RANZCP’s NSW Branch and was elected President-Elect in 2025, focusing on improving mental-health access and service delivery. 

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Disclaimer:
This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics.  The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement.  By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.