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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 New Zealand has some of the highest rates of youth engagement in online media

Published: 13 December, 2023

discrimination to an increasingly online world. These impact on young people’s ability to feel hopeful about their futures.  Yet, recently released performance measures for Te Whatu Ora | Health NZ show a concerning increase in waiting times for young people to access specialist mental health services

Published: July 2024

Ara Āwhina to monitor access to mental health and addiction services and the service options available to people. Below we present the key findings for young people. Young people experienced higher rates of psychological distress and this has increased over time. Some young people can’t get mental

Published: April 2026

referrals have increased. More staff in place due to filling vacancies has been a key driver to improve access rates and reduce wait times. Māori have higher access rates than non-Māori, had shorter wait times and were less likely to be referred by GP. More people are being seen by Access and Choice

Published: 14 February, 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has added additional stress to the rural community, which itself faces different wellbeing challenges to those of urban Aotearoa. This is according to today’s Te Hiringa Mahara – the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission report,  The impact of COVID-19 on the wellbeing

Published: January 2026

. Why is this important? People in Aotearoa experiencing significant mental distress continue to be subject to coercive practices despite evidence there is no therapeutic value.  Practices like Compulsory Community Treatment Orders or seclusion, are enabled by: outdated mental health law (the Mental

Published: January 2026

work, check out current vacancies and apply for them, or register your interest in future job opportunities. For recruitment queries, contact hr@mhwc.govt.nz or call us on 021 431 658. How to apply To apply for a role, click on the position you are interested in, then download the position description

Published: 8 April, 2026

Consultation by the Ministry of Health on the first, national Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy began on 8 April 2026. We would like everyone to share their views and make their voices heard. Te Hiringa Mahara has provided independent advice to the Minister for Mental Health on the development

Published: 3 April, 2025

do for the programme to reach its full potential. We have noted some regional variations, and the number being seen falls short of the goal of 325,000 people,” Ms Orsborn said. “While the programme has positive impacts, to be fully realised there needs to be focused effort. This will take greater

Published: 22 March, 2023

crises.  It will also provide a safety net for some of our most vulnerable.  “To help impacted communities during and beyond the recovery, we call on the government to continue to work with iwi and community organisations; to prioritise investment in re-building social