2026 System performance monitoring report downloads

This report assesses how the mental health and addiction system is performing to improve mental health and wellbeing outcomes for tāngata whaiora and whānau. Progress is reported on six key system shifts that, taken together, would transform the mental health and addiction system.

The six shifts are grounded in the experience of people with lived and living experience of mental distress and addictions. The shifts call for a mental health and addiction system that:

1. Realises the potential of lived and living experience
2. Prioritises effective services for tāngata whaiora with highest need
3. Provides effective primary prevention and early interventions
4. Ensures accessible and effective services
5. Upholds human rights-based practices
6. Is supported by a workforce with the capability, competencies and capacity to meet needs now and in the future.

This 2026 monitoring report shows that, while progress has been made overall, inequity for some groups requires urgent attention. Progress has been inconsistent across the six shifts, and the benefits are not reaching people with the highest mental health needs.

Read our 2025 system performance report