Te Kete Pounamu is a specialist unit within Te Rau Ora to help foster, grow, and support Māori living with experiences of mental health or addiction-related issues. Te Kete Pounamu was formed in 2015 following a social movement to address the increasing concern about the use of harmful restrictive practices on Māori and the increasing inequities in Māori Health and Wellbeing.

Since their formation, Te Kete Pounamu has established regional networks spanning the length and breadth of Aotearoa. They have enhanced lived experience leadership and advocated for systematic change across the health and social sectors. Delivered Māori Lived Experience Leadership and Workforce development programs. Today they continue to advocate for Māori to receive high-quality care and support, while also supporting the development of services that are by whaiora Māori, for whaiora Māori.