A NEWPORT couple have been honoured in New Zealand for their work in the field of mental health.

Professor Phil Barker and Poppy Buchanan-Barker received Maori ceremonial titles in New Zealand last month, at a world conference dedicated to their work.

Conferring the titles of rangatira (leader of men) on Professor Barker and whaea (matron of the family) on Poppy, Maori Chief Hone Ahu said this was “from the people of New Zealand in recognition of your international leadership in the field of mental health.”

The couple were presented with greenstone pendants, symbolising their Maori positions, made by the famous Tainui carvers.

Professor Barker is currently visiting professor at Trinity College Dublin, and honorary professor in the medical school at Dundee University.

Poppy Buchanan-Barker is director of Clan Unity International, the mental health recovery consultancy.

The couple return from a month-long tour of speaking engagements in Australia, Japan and New Zealand to head a major seminar at the Apex Hotel, Dundee, later this month.

The seminar, organised by the Scottish Recovery Network and funded by the Scottish Executive, will focus on Phil and Poppy’s Tidal Model.

They will describe the development of the model and present an overview of developments of various projects worldwide.

They will also launch their latest book.

Professor Barker first launched the Tidal Model in the late 1990s when he was research director in the medical school at Newcastle University.

Since 2000, the couple have been developing Tidal Model projects around the world and leading the international research team.

The model has a unique focus on the person’s experience of mental illness and the development of a personal understanding of recovery.

Phil and Poppy have collaborated with a wide range of people with personal experience of mental illness, who have acted as consultants to the development of the model.