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Published: December 2025

. Having a plan to grow the workforce and address workforce shortages, improve prevalence information, and create better data systems will provide a solid foundation for enabling system changes that are most effective in improving access and addressing gaps to mental health and addiction services.   &nbsp

Published: 4 July, 2024

The announcement of targets to address wait times and workforce pressures across the mental health and addiction system has been welcomed by Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission. “Access to appropriate services when and where they are needed is very important to people seeking

Published: 14 February, 2023

these communities.  “The geographies, economies and cultures of rural communities present challenges to mental health and wellbeing outcomes. This is particularly true with respect to isolation and connectivity, workforce challenges in the economy and health services, and uncertainty in

Published: 25 February, 2026

Ara Awhina monitoring framework to help us understand how tāngata whaiora access services and how services are performing within a wider system. Data reported on includes the number of people accessing services, wait times, and workforce. This is released as part of our regular monitoring role. Te

Published: 29 May, 2025

key monitoring findings for specialist addiction services, and access to mental health and addiction services. Data reported on includes the number of people accessing addiction specialist services, wait times, workforce, and investment over the five-year period to June 2024. In most cases, they cover

Published: March 2026

commissioning approaches that support change Evaluating impact of existing and new services Recruit and upskill a broad workforce Prioritise the enabling systems Build from existing strengths and innovation, including refinement of Access and Choice. We will build on these insights to inform future

Published: 5 February, 2023

Zealand  In this report, we show that rural communities face different wellbeing challenges to urban Aotearoa, and the pandemic has presented a range of added stresses. The report also shows the following: The pandemic exacerbated rural communities’ challenges accessing support, workforces and

Published: April 2026

mental health and addiction services in context alongside a broader set of measures on wait times, workforce, investment, among other measures to provide deeper analysis of access to services. Access to specialist mental health and addiction services, 2023/24 - February 2025. Data we released on 18

Published: 4 November, 2025

mental health system.   Crisis support must be health-led, with a strong role for the lived experience workforce. People need a real choice of safe and welcoming options for both mental health and substance use crises. This must be culturally safe, trauma-informed and uphold human rights wherever

Published: 11 June, 2025

lived and living experience Prioritises effective services for tāngata whaiora with highest need Provides effective primary prevention and early interventions Ensures accessible and effective services Upholds human rights-based practices Is supported by a workforce with the capability, competencies and