Tuari Potiki has been appointed to the Board of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission.

Tuari brings over 30 years of experience in the alcohol, drug, and mental health sector, contributing at all levels of sector development from his personal experience, to working as a clinician and involvement in strategic management.

Tuari is Chair of the New Zealand Drug Foundation, Chair of Needle Exchange Services Trust (NEST), and is a Board member of Te Rau Ora and the Southern District Health Board.

Tuari is also the Chair of the Whare Tukutuku Board, which is a Te Rau Ora kaupapa to elevate an alcohol and other drugs (AOD) workforce, that aims to create whānau-centred and community-focused approaches to reduce AOD harm.

He is currently employed as Director of Māori Development at the University of Otago.