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Published: 8 June, 2022

and wellbeing is to people and echo their calls for a continued focus on delivering tangible improvements.” The Commission welcomes the much-needed investment in primary and community care since 2019, the Budget 2022 investment in specialist mental health and addiction services, and the

Published: 27 October, 2022

Te Hiringa Mahara Chief Executive Karen Orsborn has welcomed today’s release of the  second report of the Health Quality and Safety Commission (the Commission) on the impact of COVID-19 on health with its dedicated chapter on the impacts on people’s mental health and use of mental health

Published: January 2026

Disability Commissioner (HDC). People who have concerns about the care they or others have experienced at a mental health or addiction service should contact the Nationwide Health and Disability Advocacy Service or make a complaint to the HDC. The Advocacy Service can help people with concerns about a provider or service – call them on freephone 0800 555 050 or visit their website  to email or live chat.

Published: 3 April, 2025

provides an overview of the implementation of Access and Choice,  primary mental health care programme.  The report finds that the Access and Choice programme has increased the access to and choice in services for people with mild to moderate mental health and addiction needs. This has

Published: 16 June, 2022

have no therapeutic value, and called for investment that will provide the choice of services needed to enhance safety for all. Karen Orsborn: Time to end coercive practices in mental health care OPINION: People in Aotearoa New Zealand experiencing significant mental distress continue to be subject

Published: 28 May, 2026

Te Hiringa Mahara - Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission is disappointed to see no new explicit investment into mental health and addiction services in today's budget. Of particular concern is the lack of funding for specialist services, where too many people are already waiting far too long to

Published: 6 July, 2026

The final reading of the Mental Health Bill on Saturday 4 July marks a significant step forward to embedding a modern, human rights framework in our mental health and addiction system. "This updated law provides greater human rights protection for people receiving compulsory care," said Sonya

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: 16 June, 2026

released its latest ‘report card’ on the state of Aotearoa New Zealand’s mental health system. The System performance monitoring report assesses whether people can get help early, access support equitably, receive safe and effective care in crisis, and move through a system that responds to their

Published: January 2026

Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992),  a lack of understanding about the expertise of people to manage their own distress, and  a lack of safe, accessible community-based options for acute care and crisis support.  Read our submission on the Mental Health Bill , which seeks