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Published: June 2026

Actions should include specific data collection for high-needs populations by June 2027. That Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora develops an action plan by June 2027 to meet the needs of Māori and whānau accessing specialist mental health and addiction services. (Renewed from June 2024).

Published: May 2026

NZ Health Survey data summaries An easy to read summary of key mental health and substance use findings from the NZ Health Survey 2024/2025. Published February 2026.

Published: February 2026

The Access and Choice Programme: Report on the first three years 2022 Read our Access and Choice Programme: Report on the first three years 2022 Report Access and Choice Programme progress report 2021 Read our Access and Choice Programme progress report 2021 Report Supplementary paper: Access and Choice

Published: 16 June, 2026

Introduction to the 2026 system performance monitoring report Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission - says improvements in Aotearoa New Zealand’s mental health and addiction system must come faster to meet the rising need for young people and Māori.

Published: 25 June, 2026

Dr Barbara Disley ONZM joined the Board in July 2023 and was appointed deputy chair in October 2025. Dr Disley has held significant roles in the mental health and addiction sector over the past 30 plus years, including being a member of the Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction in 2018.

Published: 25 February, 2026

Editor’s note - summary of key findings More people were able to access services overall 183,356 people used specialist services in 2024/2025, an increase of 6,072 (3.4% increase) compared with 2023/2024 In 2024-25 236,300 people used Access and Choice programme services, up from 207,000 in 2023/2024

Published: January 2026

Dr Disley began in her role as Board chair in July 2026. Our first Board chair was Hayden Wano, whose term ran from February 2021 to July 2026.

Published: 18 August, 2022

Wellbeing means much more than having access to services in times of distress – it means having connections to our families, whānau and communities, as well as having the environment and resources we need to thrive. It also means having hope and trust, and the freedom to flourish.

Published: 4 November, 2025

The Commission reviewed a five-year period from January 2020 to December 2024 drawing on quantitative and qualitative data, and building on a scan of international approaches.

Published: 23 May, 2024

One example is adequate household income – Pacific young people are putting their learning on hold to support their families due to rising cost of living. We can expect this situation to worsen if left unaddressed.”