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Published: 20 April, 2026

, we have not seen movement in this critical area. “Behind this Bill are 5000 voices who shared their experiences during the government’s Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction back in 2018,” says Te Hiringa Mahara Director of Mental Health and Addiction Sector Leadership, Sonya Russell. “The

Published: 7 May, 2026

be provided for as long as needed, without a real- or implied-time limit. “Of course, recovery requires more than services. Communities need support to reconnect and re-establish daily life, including resourcing local community organisations, especially marae, and restoring the social infrastructure

Published: 2 September, 2025

improvements.   Our panelists were: Sonya Russell, Kaiwhakahaere Hauora Hinengaro, Waranga | Director Mental Health and Addiction Sector Leadership, Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Ruth Borrett, Chief Operating Officer, Ember Korowai Takitini. Ruth will be speaking about

Published: January 2026

the momentum of He Ara Oranga , the government inquiry into mental health and addiction, and the work to transform Aotearoa New Zealand's mental health and wellbeing system while Te Hiringa Mahara - Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission was being established. The Initial Commission undertook some

Published: 16 September, 2024

ao Māori including learning te reo Māori at kura kaupapa is a source of strength and achievement for young Māori learners. Fewer Māori achieved qualifications at NCEA level 2 or above but NCEA level 2 achievement was higher for Māori who attended kura kaupapa. Across all ethnicities and school types, NCEA level 2 achievement trended downwards in 2021 and 2022.

Published: 8 June, 2023

Pacific peoples’ connection – to family, community, culture and faith – has been a key source of strength and resilience in the pandemic. This is according to today’s Te Hiringa Mahara – the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission report  Pacific connectedness and wellbeing in the pandemic&nbsp

Published: 22 March, 2023

; “Crises like the pandemic have shown us that re-establishing and strengthening the social infrastructure that supports connection and communities is key to supporting wellbeing,” says Te Hiringa Mahara Chief Executive Karen Orsborn.   “We can expect rates of distress and addiction to

Published: May 2026

, particularly for Māori and young people. The system is under significant pressure, with longer wait times for crisis phone lines, people staying longer in services than five years ago and increased complexity of distress and needs. Crisis responses vary across the country, and in some areas, there are

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: 16 June, 2026

, 767 KB Download Submission on the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Amendment Bill docx, 102 KB Download 2022 submissions: Downloads Submission to the Social Services and Community Committee docx, 103 KB Download Submission to the Social Services and Community Committee pdf, 866 KB Download Submission to the