Rooted in Community, Driven by Justice: The Darryl Bishop MNZM I Know

Darryl has a strong background in social justice and has always believed in standing up for what is right and speaking the truth as a way of addressing injustice. Trained as a nurse, and with early experience working with young people in mental health services in the UK and New Zealand, he developed a passion for identifying systemic issues and designing interventions that improve outcomes. His focus has consistently been on creating approaches that not only alleviate individual distress but also strengthen systems and free up resources for communities.

In the early 2000s, Darryl became Programme Manager for Like Minds, Like Mine, where he led one of New Zealand’s most successful national public health initiatives tackling stigma and discrimination in mental health. He also was passionate about Aotearoa having its own mental health literacy programme and funded Blueprint for Learning to establish the Mental Health 101 training, which has grown to become one of the most widely delivered programmes in the country. Both achievements have had a lasting impact and earned him significant respect across the sector.

With more than 30 years of experience in the mental health field, Darryl has consistently championed the value of peer support. He celebrates its success and recognises the genuine impact it has made across the sector, bringing meaningful and lasting change. At the same time, he has emphasised the importance of distinguishing between professionals with lived experience and specialist peer roles. For him, the role of the peer specialist is unique, requiring individuals to “walk the talk”—to openly confront and share aspects of their own journey while supporting others. This, he says, is both vulnerable and courageous, a paradox that demands holding two spaces at once: showing strength while remaining open. It is a responsibility he sees as both pivotal and close to his heart.

Darryl’s leadership philosophy is grounded in authenticity, self-awareness, and genuine care for people. He places a high value on building strong teams, employing staff with local knowledge, and ensuring that organisations remain closely connected to the needs of the communities they serve. He believes solutions are most effective when they are led locally, rather than imposed by systems that risk isolating individuals from their own environments.

Over the years, Darryl has worked with Health New Zealand, the Ministry of Health, and numerous community organisations to deliver publicly funded anti-stigma and anti-discrimination programmes. He has placed particular emphasis on research and evaluation, ensuring that programmes are evidence-based and coordinated across local, regional, and national levels. A notable example was the Chinese Like Minds media project, which ran successfully for six years under the Mental Health Foundation and responded directly to community needs.

His leadership is characterised by passion, commitment, and a willingness to innovate. He sees leadership as a continuous learning process, balancing responsibility with openness to new ideas. Darryl values collaboration and is dedicated to creating environments where trust enables people to perform at their best.

On a personal level, fatherhood has been one of his most profound responsibilities. He often reflects that a parent is only as happy as their least happy child, which highlights his deep sense of care and empathy—qualities that also shape his professional leadership style.

Darryl also speaks openly about the challenges leaders face, such as self-doubt and imposter feelings. He views these not as barriers but as opportunities for reflection and growth, encouraging others to face such challenges with courage and to seek out mentors who can help turn uncertainty into strength.

Above all, Darryl is known for his loyalty and integrity. He builds strong relationships, values the trust of colleagues and funders, and sees himself as a connector who ensures that people feel recognised and supported. For him, community is at the centre of lasting solutions, and his approach reflects both his values and his character.

Darryl is widely regarded as humble, principled, and authentic. His combination of social justice commitment, celebration of peer support, and genuine care for others has made him a leader who inspires not only respect but also trust.