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Published: 20 May, 2025

In this article Sonya Russell, Director Mental Health and Addiction Sector Leadership, outlines progress by Parliament to repeal and replace the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992.  With its 17 April report on the Mental Health Bill, the Health Select Committee has

Published: 18 August, 2022

Transforming the mental health and addiction system must remain a priority as Aotearoa New Zealand continues to deal with the fallout from the pandemic, writes Karen Orsborn. COVID-19 is one of the most significant societal events many of us will experience in our lives. It is not over yet

Published: January 2026

Our leadership team provides strategic guidance for Te Hiringa Mahara -- Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission. The team includes Chief Executive, Karen Orsborn, and four directors who are responsible for our core workstreams.  Karen Orsborn, Tumu Whakarae | Chief Executive Karen is the Chief

Published: January 2026

published in the government gazette . Our Board must make sure that it effectively seeks and understands the views of Māori as tāngata whenua, of people with lived experience of mental distress or addiction (or both) and the people who support them, as well as Pacific people, and other groups and

Published: 30 June, 2022

The most important terms in He Ara Āwhina are explained here, along with complex terms that are not ‘everyday language’. We have also included words that people told us needed more explanation during our public consultation on the draft He Ara Āwhina framework. Where we have made use of other

Published: 29 August, 2023

Mā Te Rongo Ake / Through Listening and Hearing The Initial Commission was responsible for monitoring and providing advice on progress of the Government’s system transformation response to He Ara Oranga. This included monitoring progress on the implementation of kaupapa Māori approaches. Mā Te

Published: 2 February, 2022

advocated strongly for addressing persistent inequities existing within the system and meeting the needs of people who are underserved by the system. “While the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill is a chance to prepare for a system that best serves those whose health outcomes are deteriorating, it is important

Published: 17 June, 2020

The Mental Health Commissioner has today released a report , providing insights about mental health and addiction services. Chair of the Initial Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission, Mr Hayden Wano, says that this report is timely and signals how Government can enhance the response to He Ara

Published: 25 June, 2020

The Initial Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission has released a report,  He Ara Oranga – Manuka takoto, kawea ake / Upholding the Wero Laid in He Ara Oranga , signalling progress of the Government’s response to He Ara Oranga, the inquiry into mental health and addiction

Published: 6 October, 2022

Te Hiringa Mahara has produced a series of short reports during 2022 and 2023 to add our collective understanding of the wellbeing impacts of the pandemic and to provide key insights on wellbeing areas or populations of focus. Wellbeing impacts of COVID-19 pandemic This eighth (and final) report