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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: January 2026

  Māori, who make up 17% of the population and have higher rates of mental distress than other population groups, have been advocating for equitable funding for Kaupapa Māori services for decades.   What needs to change? We want to see: Equitable investment in Kaupapa Māori services

Published: 2 September, 2025

Te Hiringa Mahara hosted a webinar exploring effective crisis response models based on our recently released Crisis response literature scan held on 24 September 2025. The session provided an overview of the literature scan and featured speakers showcasing examples of crisis response in practice

Published: 20 April, 2026

It is one year since the Mental Health Bill was returned to Parliament for its second reading, and Te Hiringa Mahara is calling on the Government to ensure this is passed into law this year. On 17 April 2025, the Health Select Committee handed the Bill back to Parliament to be finalised. Since then

Published: 15 April, 2026

A once‑in‑a‑decade Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy has been released for public consultation, and Te Hiringa Mahara is calling on New Zealanders to help shape the final document. The strategy will set the direction for mental health and wellbeing across Aotearoa for more than a decade, making

Published: 30 September, 2025

As an integral part of our advocacy work, Te Hiringa Mahara - Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission often comments on and makes recommendations in response to consultation documents, regulations, draft bills, and regulations that may impact on the mental health and wellbeing of people in Aotearoa

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: 5 June, 2024

Data and insights from our 2024 mental health and addiction service monitoring report is presented in four  easy to read infographics.   You can also read the full Kua Tīmata Te Haerenga | The Journey has Begun report , accompanying Voices report or visit the updated He Ara

Published: 29 October, 2024

attention to in our submission. We said it is important that Te Hiringa Mahara acts independently, providing free and frank advice. This is protected in the new law. We have consistently highlighted workforce challenges over the last three years so it good to note the workforce is included as a

Published: 9 April, 2025

On 8 April the NZ Police and Health NZ made a joint announcement about Mental Health Response Changes.  With Phase One complete, the agencies Phase Two will now start from 14 April with both agencies agreeing to a staged implementation across districts. Te Hiringa Mahara has made this