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Published: February 2026

psychological distress among adults has significantly increased compared to the last five years and last 10 years. 22.9% of young adults (15–24 years old) experienced high or very high levels of psychological distress in the four weeks prior to the survey. This was the highest percentage of any age

Published: 27 June, 2023

The report provides an overview of investment into kaupapa Māori mental health and addiction services, sheds light on the significant disparities faced by Māori in mental health outcomes, and calls for the need for change to address these inequities.  It was released on 27 June 2023. Despite

Published: 5 July, 2022

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission has a new name – Te Hiringa Mahara.   The name, Te Hiringa Mahara – Te hinengaro tūmata tōrunga pai o te whakaaro nui (Igniting minds through positive energy and thoughtfulness), was unveiled at a ceremony in Wellington today.  Board Chair

Published: January 2024

Our commitment to lived experience We have promised to uphold a ‘nothing about us, without us’ approach and to work together to transform the mental health and addiction system. Meet our Lived Experience Advisors We currently have two Lived Experience Advisors who support connections with tāngata

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

Published: 24 March, 2026

A think tank convened by Te Hiringa Mahara created space for ‘blue sky’ thinking about the future role primary and community care can play in supporting people with mental health and substance use needs. To share the outcome of the think tank workshop held in August 2025, we have published a short

Published: 19 April, 2024

) Amendment Bill are currently being considered by the Health Select Committee. Read our submission (PDF 175 KB) When the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill was introduced by the previous government in October 2021, we advocated for the inclusion of a mental health and addiction strategy under the legislation

Published: 30 April, 2026

Te Hiringa Mahara is calling for greater investment in early intervention and secondary prevention for young people experiencing distress. New evidence shows timely, lower-cost support can stop distress escalating, lift wellbeing and ease pressure on an overstretched system.  The 2024/25 New

Published: April 2026

Ara Āwhina dashboard This dashboard pulls together data about many aspects of Aotearoa New Zealand’s mental health and addiction system. Updated April 2026. System performance monitoring The Commission's first Monitoring mental health and addiction system performance in Aotearoa New Zealand

Published: January 2026

  The mental health and wellbeing of rangatahi Māori and young people is one of the most important issues we can focus on today. More needs to be done to support rangatahi Māori and young peoples’ mental health and wellbeing. What are we advocating for? Rangatahi Māori and young people must