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Published: 25 February, 2026

addiction outcomes. Overall, the data shows an increase in psychological distress, and unmet need for mental health and substance use care remaining similar to the previous year. Hazardous drinking has continued to decrease. In general, findings show significant disparities for disabled adults and Māori

Published: 10 December, 2020

The consultation phase to provide feedback on the development of a framework to monitor mental health services and addiction services is now closed. The Initial Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission provided people with an opportunity to have their say on the He Ara Āwhina service-level monitoring

Published: 31 March, 2026

Following the release of the Office of the Director of Mental Health and Addiction Services: Regulatory Report today, Te Hiringa Mahara is renewing its call for improvements to address concerning trends for Māori and Pacific peoples. The report shows Māori are 6.6 times, and Pacific peoples are 1.7

Published: 10 March, 2026

In this article Karen Orsborn, Chief Executive, outlines what needs to be done to promote online safety for rangatahi and young people.  Online spaces are now integrated into many young people’s lives, and Aotearoa, NZ has some of the highest rates of youth engagement in online spaces media in

Published: February 2026

No summary available

Published: 7 August, 2025

We have reviewed and refreshed our strategy to continue to meet the challenges of today. After taking stock of where the organisation had got to after its first three years, we have looked ahead to how we’ll achieve our vision over the next four years. The resulting strategy sets out how we work

Published: 4 November, 2025

Crisis responses are a critical part of an effective mental health system, and we are calling for a nationally cohesive approach to crisis responses to be developed by June 2027. In Aotearoa New Zealand, we have a collection of services with components that are working well. Elements of a good

Published: 11 June, 2025

mental health and addiction system to realise the vision set out in He Ara Oranga. All six shifts are grounded in the experience of people with living and lived experience of mental distress and addictions. The shifts call for a mental health and addiction system that: Realises the potential of

Published: 22 September, 2021

Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission welcomes release of Kia Manawanui as we lead our agenda to support transformation The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission welcomes today’s release of Kia Manawanui Aotearoa , the government’s long-term pathway to mental wellbeing, by Minister of Health, Hon

Published: 16 June, 2022

In early June we provided an article on coercive practices to the New Zealand Herald for consideration as part of its Great Minds campaign on mental health. The article, by our Chief Executive Karen Orsborn, pointed out that coercive practices continue in Aotearoa New Zealand despite evidence they