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Published: February 2026

respond to people in crisis. Once the ‘crisis’ moment in time is passed, people need clear pathways to access care and support they need to continue their recovery. These pathways must include community-based, peer-led, Kaupapa Māori services and social support to ensure access to safe and secure

Published: February 2026

Ara Oranga. The six key shifts move us toward an ideal mental health and addiction system that realises lived experience leadership, prioritises highest need, takes a prevention and early intervention approach, provides accessible and effective services and outcomes, upholds human rights, and is

Published: 20 May, 2025

and social issue for Aotearoa New Zealand. Youth mental health is a complex interplay between individual, peer, family, system and macro factors. These include development in early environments, family dynamics, access to basic needs such as warm housing, adequate income, quality education, safe

Published: 27 June, 2023

and have higher rates of mental distress than other populations groups, have been advocating for equitable funding for kaupapa Māori services for decades. The proportion of tāngata whaiora Māori accessing Māori specialist mental health and addiction services has decreased over the last five-year

Published: 10 March, 2026

friends, sending messages and sharing content, and accessing interest-based communities and support groups. Having access to safe online spaces is linked to greater wellbeing, reduced depression, decreased loneliness, and increased positive emotions. This is especially the case for young people

Published: January 2024

own, first-hand experience of distress, substance harm, harmful gambling, psychiatric diagnosis, addiction, using mental health or addiction supports or services, or experiencing barriers to accessing these supports and services when they are needed. Lived experience perspectives and knowledge is

Published: 30 April, 2026

Zealand Health Survey found 1 in 5 of 15–24-year-olds experienced high to very high psychological distress. Primary and specialist mental health and addiction services cannot meet need at this scale.  “We know that without easy-to-access support, early distress can lead to long lasting negative

Published: 22 March, 2022

that there has been little evidence of improvement in services or changes in wait times for specialist mental health services over the past five years. Wait times for young people to access specialist mental health services continue to be well below target and wait times for addiction services have

Published: 29 May, 2025

years there has been a drop in the number of people accessing treatment and support. The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission is concerned that people may not be able to access support when they need it,” said Sonya Russell, Director Mental Health and Addiction System Leadership.   In 2023

Published: 5 June, 2024

addiction workforce across Aotearoa New Zealand about access to services and options available.  In this report we give people the space to express their views. This includes comments on the urgency of system change which will ensure people get support where and when they need it.  There are