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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: 10 July, 2023

override tāngata whaiora and whānau perspectives. The report also documents how clinical reviews and court hearings marginalise Te Ao Māori and lived experience perspectives.  The number of people subjected to a Compulsory Community Treatment Order under the Mental Health Act increased by 8

Published: 31 March, 2026

times, more likely to be placed in seclusion (solitary confinement) than non-Māori and non-Pacific peoples, which remains a stark indicator of entrenched inequities within the system. “Today’s report provides an unprecedented level of detail, and clearly shows Māori continue to be

Published: 10 December, 2020

The consultation phase to provide feedback on the development of a framework to monitor mental health services and addiction services is now closed. The Initial Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission provided people with an opportunity to have their say on the He Ara Āwhina service-level monitoring

Published: 10 March, 2026

In this article Karen Orsborn, Chief Executive, outlines what needs to be done to promote online safety for rangatahi and young people.  Online spaces are now integrated into many young people’s lives, and Aotearoa, NZ has some of the highest rates of youth engagement in online spaces media in

Published: 2 September, 2025

, including in peer-led services and co-response teams. The webinar explored key principles for an effective crisis response system, including the benefits of national coordination, standards, and infrastructure, alongside the impact of kaupapa Māori and peer-led initiatives in Aotearoa. This webinar

Published: 7 August, 2025

We have reviewed and refreshed our strategy to continue to meet the challenges of today. After taking stock of where the organisation had got to after its first three years, we have looked ahead to how we’ll achieve our vision over the next four years. The resulting strategy sets out how we work

Published: 22 September, 2021

upholds people’s human rights and meets New Zealand’s obligations under international conventions and treaties maintaining a holistic view of wellbeing that acknowledges the impact of social and economic factors on people’s wellbeing, such as poverty, poor housing, discrimination, and other forms

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: 4 November, 2025

Te Hiringa Mahara - Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission, is calling for a cohesive national mental health crisis response system by June 2027. “A highly effective crisis response system is at the heart of mental health and addiction services. When people are in crisis it is often where the