Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy consultation now open

Consultation by the Ministry of Health on the first, national Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy began on 8 April 2026. We would like everyone to share their views and make their voices heard.

Te Hiringa Mahara has provided independent advice to the Minister for Mental Health on the development of the strategy. This was provided in May and June 2025, and then in February 2026.

In the interest of transparency, and to support the development of the Strategy, that advice is now publicly available in the links below.   

In May 2025, we told the Minister and Ministry that the Strategy needs to:

• inspire hope and change with leadership at every level; 
• outline a future with concrete, measurable objectives; 
• provide a shared view of what a good mental health and addiction system looks like to drive progress; 
• feature cross-government and preventative actions to improve mental health and wellbeing; and
• take a coordinated approach to bring together government strategies and plans that address mental health. 

Our June 2025 advice responded to an earlier draft of the Strategy. The Strategy has been updated since then, but the themes of that advice are still relevant, including the need for increased investment in Kaupapa Māori services and effort to address the disproportionate need experienced by Māori. 

We have a vision for the Strategy that is driven by our six system shifts, our Lived Experience and Te Tiriti o Waitangi position statements, and our role as system and service monitor.

Our latest advice, in February 2026, recognised the improvements that have been made since our past advice, but highlighted gaps we hope to see addressed relating to: 

• strengthening action on determinants to tackle increasing population rates of psychological distress;  
• action to address needs of Māori;  
• detail on resource and investment on several of the actions; and 
• addressing the system information gaps on experience and outcomes data. 

From 8 April to 18 May 2026, the Ministry of Health is consulting the public on the development of the Strategy, and we encourage wide input to that process. More information on the Strategy, including how to be involved, can be found on the Ministry of Health’s website.