Tatūnga whārangi Rautaki Strategy on a page
In 2025 we finalised an updated organisational strategy. This covers the four years to 2029 and sets out how we will achieve our vision and mission. The 2025-2029 Statement of Intent reflects this refreshed direction.
Agreement to a new strategy followed a thorough review process, consultation and deliberation. The Future Excellence Horizon, linked below, provided an external perspective how we could best contribute to improved mental health and wellbeing outcomes.
Strategy on a page
We are a kaitiaki of mental health and wellbeing. Our objective is to contribute to better and equitable mental health and wellbeing outcomes for all people in Aotearoa.
Our 2025-29 strategy responded describes three key shifts; we will have a much clearer focus on people with lived experience of mental distress or addiction through our work. We will utilise knowledge and insights to promote alignment, guide the system and influence positive change across the mental health and addiction system. We will also step up into our system leadership role, holding the system to account and influencing the public narrative.
Our strategic framework brings the key elements of our strategic plan into one place. Our Pou Rama is standing strong, grounded in the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and shining bright on who we are, our areas of focus and what we do. It is supported by our vision, our mission and our values.
Whāinga Tāhuhu | Our Vision: Tū tangata mauri ora | Thriving together
Whakatakanga | Our Mission: E hautū i ngā putanga pai ake mō te hauora ā-hinengaro, mō te waranga, mō te oranga hoki | Lead improved mental health, addiction and wellbeing outcomes
Ngā Uaratanga / Our values:
- Tūhonotanga - we are inclusive and connected.
- Māia - we are courageous and speak up
- Māramatanga - we learn by listening and seek knowledge.
- Tika - we will be fair and respectful.
- Aroha - we care about the work we do and the people of Aotearoa.
Ngā whakaarotau rautaki / Strategic priorities:
- Mental health and addiction services meet the needs of tāngata whaiora and their whānau.
- Advancing mental health and wellbeing outcomes for people with lived experience of mental distress and addiction.
- Improved performance of the mental health and addiction system.
Ko tā mātou mahi / We will:
Inspire – be an independent system leader, being a champion for positive change and fostering hope for the future.
Inform – publish evidence-based insights to drive informed decision-making.
Connect – promote alignment and collaboration to effect change.
Influence – use our public voice, insights, and recommendations for impact and to hold the system to account.
Download our Strategy on a Page (PDF 453KB)
Future Excellence Horizon
The Future Excellence Horizon contributed to the development of our 2025-2029 Strategic Plan and 2025-2029 Statement of Intent.
We engaged with stakeholders to develop a Future Excellence Horizon. This process sought to answer what the future performance challenges for the Commission might be, and how we could be successful at meeting those challenges. This helped shape the key shifts we need to make as an organisation to fulfil our legislative mandate.
The report outlines six mental health and wellbeing outcomes the people of Aotearoa expect in the future, within the remit Te Hiringa Mahara' has: choice in service provision, holistic wellbeing, leadership, empowerment, connection and system accountability.
This engagement helped us understand what we need to do to meet these expectations. The Future Excellence Horizon was completed in May 2024.
Download the Future Excellence Horizon (May 2024) (PDF 262KB)