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Published: 22 May, 2026

Youth Week should be a prompt for us all to reflect on what is weighing on rangatahi, and in turn, our responsibility to respond. That is why it is important to see climate change and mental health as part of the same story, not two separate ones.

Published: 23 October, 2024

 As a staff member from Taranaki Retreat put it “A supportive relationship is formed, in which the safety valve of a listener to both reflect and turn to, is available to them to make positive steps for change.”

Published: 22 September, 2021

As an independent Crown entity, we look at how the system promotes health and wellbeing, as well as how the system identifies and responds to people experiencing mental distress or addiction (or both), and their whānau, families, and supporters,” says Hayden Wano.

Published: 24 June, 2026

As well as introducing recent work by the Commission, this is your chance to find out more about what is coming up. There will be a Q and A session, with an opportunity to submit questions during the webinar. We will do our best to get through all questions asked.

Published: August 2026

  Increasingly, drug harm is recognised as something that is not solely linked to individual choice. It is also seen as the result of interactions between the drug, the person, and their environment.

Published: 24 September, 2021

These services and solutions give us choice as to how we are cared for and supported.” The Commission believes there is a need to look at new and different ways of how people are cared for in inpatient settings to improve how existing bed capacity is used.

Published: 20 May, 2022

The focus of this investment is aligned with the voices of Māori and tāngata whaiora (people with lived experience of distress and addiction, substance, or gambling harm) as heard through He Ara Oranga," says Commission Board Chair Hayden Wano.

Published: 30 September, 2024

This is in line with our recommended approach of starting with rangatahi and young people, before extending prevalence study to the wider population. This critical investment will support evidence-based decision making for services as well as improved system monitoring.

Published: March 2024

 The focus is on clinical review (application) and the court hearing (outcome) as formal substitute decision-making practices under the Act.

Published: 13 December, 2023

We have continued to focus on building our capability to act as an effective leader, monitor and advocate. A highlight for the team last year was a noho marae hosted by Te Āti Awa. We are planning further wananga in the coming year.  This is a short snapshot of our journey over the past year.