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There is widespread and growing support and requirement for researchers and larger organisations to collaborate with communities. This ensures that social, educational, or health programmes are relevant and acceptable and address the needs of groups that experience inequity. There is limited research about the processes and approaches that impact successful collaboration. The aim of this study was to identify the best‐practice processes used to develop and sustain collaborative partnerships between community members and formal organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand. Using a qualitative case study methodology and guidance from our community advisory group, we selected three effective collaborations with groups that experienced inequity in Aotearoa New Zealand. We examined these by reviewing their publicly available documents and conducting focus group discussions and interviews with key stakeholders. We coded and analysed transcriptions thematically to develop case study summaries of findings and then conducted cross‐case analysis to identify themes inherent in the data. Seven themes emerged from the data: (1) work together under Te Tiriti to ensure that collaborations are built on the articles of this founding document of Aotearoa New Zealand; (2) start before the beginning by forming strong relationships with diverse and representative community members; (3) walk the talk by using critically reflexive processes built on shared values and equal power relations; (4) use pencils not pens to implement ensuring an iterative project process; (5) recognise all contributions and especially the value of lived experience and local knowledge; (6) journey at a pace that allows all to participate; and (7) listen twice, talk once to give priority to hearing quieter voices. These seven practices can be utilised by other collaborative initiatives to increase genuine and power‐shared participation. These participatory processes can make sure that collaborative projects respect local knowledge, indigenous culture, and respond iteratively to community needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internationally, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in changes to services as governments funneled health-related funding and resources into stopping the spread of COVID-19. At the same time, older people were singled out as an "at-risk" group, which prompted caution from both older people and governments to limit their exposure to COVID-19. It remains unclear what the impact this has had on older people's routine health and social care access, and how older people themselves viewed these changes. This analysis investigates older people's understanding and experiences of using health and social care services under the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in 2020. This analysis draws from a wider, letter-writing study that received 748 letters from 854 participants aged 70 years and older who were living in New Zealand during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Just over half of letter writers described access to health and social care services. Informed by Penchansky and Thomas' 5 A's of the access framework, we conducted a thematic analysis of this subsample of letters (n = 404). This analysis identified four broad categories relating to access to health and social care services under COVID-19 lockdown restrictions: (a) the system-wide strangeness of physically accessing services, (b) accommodation of services, (c) availability of resources and personnel, and (d) enhanced quality of those included by services. Rather than passively accepting changes, older people adapted to restrictions by drawing on their available materials and social resources. We conclude this analysis with suggestions for improving future interventions and policies to better older people's access to health and social care during times of crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maternal mental health plays a vital role in the overall wellbeing of mothers, children, families, whānau (core support network) and communities. However, many mothers face mental health challenges during the transition to parenthood. In this study, we used an online story-sharing platform to collect the experiences of mothers who have faced unmet needs while using the Well Child Tamariki Ora (WCTO) service in Aotearoa New Zealand. From the 420 submitted stories, 125 stories related to mental health need while using the WCTO service. Using thematic analysis, we identified three main themes that highlighted the experiences of mothers with the service. This includes (1) making it seem that I'm coping: Mothers' fear of being judged; (2) i wish I had connected with my WCTO nurse: Fostering meaningful relationships to facilitate personal information sharing; and (3) beyond the baby: Mothers desire for recognition and support during WCTO visits. These findings point to several missed opportunities for WCTO providers to inquire about mental health and offer support needed by mothers. To address this, a relational approach to care would prioritise families and whānau as the focus of care rather than just monitoring the development of babies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]