27 May 2026
Grace R
[FYI request #34137 email]
Tēnā koe Grace
Your request for official information, reference: HNZ00203193
Thank you for your email on 29 April 2026, asking Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora for
information under the Of icial Information Act 1982 (the OIA). Your request is attached as
Appendix One.
Response
Health New Zealand recognises that uniform requirements within forensic mental health inpatient
environments may vary across New Zealand and in some forensic settings, staff may wear
standardised uniforms, while in others a non-uniform or “civvies” approach is adopted.
For the sake of clarity, each question is responded to in turn below.
If national consistency is a key rationale, please clarify why Waikato forensic mental health
staff are from 2024 were longer permitted to wear civvies, while other regions continue to
retain this option, and how this aligns with the statement that uniform decisions are made
locally.
Waikato made an informed decision to transition from civilian clothing to uniforms at a time when
national consistency was not a determining factor. This decision was made by the Mental Health
and Addictions Leadership team following careful consideration of all available information and the
potential impacts on taangata whaiora, whaanau, and staff.
Further, during the 2024 Waikato region mental health compulsory inpatient uniform rollout,
community-based staff were permitted to continue wearing civvies (with the option of
wearing uniforms), while inpatient forensic wards were made compulsory - only with further
consultation secondary from push back from unions. Staff who frequent public areas with
patients were required to wear compulsory unbranded uniforms - however there’s are stil
very identifiable in large groups. Please confirm whether this reflects current policy and
uniform rollout rationals, having differentiation between service types within the same
region.
The uniform rollout focused primarily on inpatient units. This emphasis reflected concerns raised by
whaanau and taangata whaiora about staff not being easily identifiable within our 24/7 facilities,
and the need to strengthen infection prevention measures in the inpatient clinical environment. The
introduction of uniforms aims to improve visibility and clarity of roles for those in our care, while
supporting safer practice across inpatient settings.
Cost: Whether cost efficiency considerations include any analysis comparing full uniform
provision versus maintaining civvies as an option. As allowing civvies, or reintroducing
civvies during the may uniform roll out in the Waikato area as an option would likely reduce
uniform-related costs.
Consideration was given to the costs of uniforms versus the clothing/laundry allowance. However,
cost was not the only factor taken into account when the final decision was made. Uniforms are
also considered to strengthen professional identity and improve tangata whaiora experience.
* Consistency: Whether there is a defined national or local dress code policy for civvies,
and whether this is considered an alternative mechanism for achieving consistency. A
clear dress code for civvies could achieve consistency without removing flexibility. (Some
NGOs that have civvies have policies standing what colours staff can wear, if role
identification is a concern, or more identifiable ID cards seen overseas - large font RN; EN;
MHA)
There is currently no national policy regarding the consistent use of uniforms or civvies. Waikato
wil align with any future national decision for inpatient, community, and forensic mental health
services if and when such a decision is made.
* Staff feedback: What formal processes exist for staff to raise concerns regarding uniform
design and implementation, including feedback on current issues such as material, visibility,
and comfort. Multiple Waikato staff have raised concerns about the new uniforms,
particularly the unbranded bright synthetic polos, with limited evidence of these concerns
being meaningfully addressed. Please advise what formal pathways exist for escalation.
There is an established escalation process for staff to raise concerns that have not been resolved
at the time they are initially raised. Formal pathways include:
• Raising concerns directly with their line manager, including suggested options or
improvements
• Escalation by the line manager to their own manager if required
• Engaging with health and safety representatives
• Lodging an incident through Datix
• Seeking support from their union if concerns remain unresolved
* Patient experience: How the use of uniforms versus civvies in mental health inpatient and
community settings has been assessed in relation to therapeutic engagement, power
dynamics, and patient privacy. Non-uniform approaches are widely recognised in mental
health settings as supporting therapeutic relationships and reducing power imbalance. In
community settings, uniformed groups may also inadvertently identify individuals as patients,
impacting privacy and dignity.
There is no formal assessment framework in place for evaluating therapeutic engagement, power
dynamics, or patient privacy in relation to uniform use, beyond discussions with tangata whaiora
and whānau.
To date, no concerns or issues have been raised regarding the wearing of uniforms.
Uniforms are considered to:
• Provide clear professional identification of staff
• Support infection prevention
• Provide clarity for tangata whaiora and whānau
Please also clarify:
* Whether Waikato’s policy regarding compulsory forensic mental health uniforms wil be
reviewed to align with the stated objectives of the may uniform role out : ease of supply, cost-
effectiveness, staff comfort, patient experience, and national consistency
Waikato Mental Health & Addiction Service wil review the requirement for Forensic Mental Health
Rehabilitation staff to wear a specific uniform once a national decision is made regarding uniforms
for mental health and addiction staff, including forensic services, in both community and inpatient
settings.
* Whether there are any plans to introduce a nationally consistent approach that includes
the option of civvies in mental health settings where clinically appropriate
Health New Zealand is in the early stages of reviewing uniform and professional standards policies
across the organisation, in partnership with unions. The intention of this work is to develop a more
consistent approach nationally.
At present, there is no single national or regional policy governing the use of uniforms or civvies,
and practices may vary across districts. As part of the upcoming review, considerations around
where uniforms are required, optional, or not used, including the potential role of civvies in mental
health settings, wil be carefully considered.
At this stage, no decisions have been made regarding the inclusion of civvies as part of a
nationally consistent approach.
How to get in touch
If you have any questions, you can contact us at
[email address].
If you are not happy with this response, you have the right to make a complaint to the
Ombudsman. Information about how to do this is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
by phoning 0800 802 602.
As this information may be of interest to other members of the public, Health NZ may proactively
release a copy of this response on our website. Al requester data, including your name and
contact details, wil be removed prior to release.
Nāku iti noa, nā
Matthew McLay
Manager Government Services
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
Appendix One
Request received 29 April 2026
If national consistency is a key rationale, please clarify why Waikato forensic mental health
staff are from 2024 were longer permitted to wear civvies, while other regions continue to
retain this option, and how this aligns with the statement that uniform decisions are made
locally.
Further, during the 2024 Waikato region mental health compulsory inpatient uniform rollout,
community-based staff were permitted to continue wearing civvies (with the option of
wearing uniforms), while inpatient forensic wards were made compulsory - only with further
consultation secondary from push back from unions. Staff who frequent public areas with
patients were required to wear compulsory unbranded uniforms - however there’s are stil
very identifiable in large groups. Please confirm whether this reflects current policy and
uniform rollout rationals, having differentiation between service types within the same
region.
Additional clarification is requested in relation to the following:
* Cost: Whether cost efficiency considerations include any analysis comparing full uniform
provision versus maintaining civvies as an option. As allowing civvies, or reintroducing
civvies during the may uniform roll out in the Waikato area as an option would likely reduce
uniform-related costs.
* Consistency: Whether there is a defined national or local dress code policy for civvies,
and whether this is considered an alternative mechanism for achieving consistency. A
clear dress code for civvies could achieve consistency without removing flexibility. (Some
NGOs that have civvies have policies standing what colours staff can wear, if role
identification is a concern, or more identifiable ID cards seen overseas - large font RN; EN;
MHA)
* Staff feedback: What formal processes exist for staff to raise concerns regarding uniform
design and implementation, including feedback on current issues such as material, visibility,
and comfort. Multiple Waikato staff have raised concerns about the new uniforms,
particularly the unbranded bright synthetic polos, with limited evidence of these concerns
being meaningfully addressed. Please advise what formal pathways exist for escalation.
* Patient experience: How the use of uniforms versus civvies in mental health inpatient and
community settings has been assessed in relation to therapeutic engagement, power
dynamics, and patient privacy. Non-uniform approaches are widely recognised in mental
health settings as supporting therapeutic relationships and reducing power imbalance. In
community settings, uniformed groups may also inadvertently identify individuals as
patients, impacting privacy and dignity.
Please also clarify:
* Whether Waikato’s policy regarding compulsory forensic mental health uniforms wil be
reviewed to align with the stated objectives of the may uniform role out : ease of supply,
cost-effectiveness, staff comfort, patient experience, and national consistency
* Whether there are any plans to introduce a nationally consistent approach that includes
the option of civvies in mental health settings where clinically appropriate
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