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Published: 5 June, 2024

accessing specialist mental health and addiction services has decreased over a five-year time frame. In 2022/23, 3.4% of the population accessed a specialist service, a decrease from 3.8% in 2018/19. This is a drop of 9,000 people using these services. Of those seeking specialist support the decrease for

Published: 20 May, 2025

all parties in Parliament – agreed on recommendations for amendments to the Bill. The Select Committee has recommended some changes that strengthen the proposed legislation. Recommended improvements include that ‘advance directives’ and acknowledgement of the ‘dignity of risk’ are added to the guiding

Published: June 2026

Better mental health and wellbeing for our people Te Hiringa Mahara - Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission is a kaitiaki of mental health and wellbeing. We contribute to better and equitable mental health and wellbeing outcomes for all people in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our work News and resources

Published: 12 May, 2023

Hiringa Mahara Director Māori, Maraea Johns.   “Māori wellbeing is often referred to as being collective, and exercising rangatiratanga (self-determination, sovereignty, independence, autonomy) is a contributor to a range of positive wellbeing outcomes for iwi, hapū, and whānau.” Read the feedback in the article on Stuff

Published: 18 August, 2022

, and people will continue to be affected for some time to come. Aotearoa New Zealand's responses to it will continue to evolve. An essential part of the early response was to isolate people and family units. This is the prudent action when dealing with an infectious disease and kept many people in

Published: 5 June, 2024

and Choice programme in primary care has increased access and expanded options for people with mild to moderate mental health and addiction needs. However, access to specialist services has decreased, with people reporting challenges accessing these services. We look at the access challenges faced

Published: January 2026

pandemic, often coping and supporting others across a range of areas - despite often facing worse impacts of the pandemic. Find out more about the impact of COVID-19 on wellbeing of older people in Aotearoa New Zealand   Media reporting of COVID-19 Our first report, Media reporting of COVID-19 and mental health and wellbeing, provides a scene-setter for the rest of the series. Find out more about COVID-19 media reporting  

Published: December 2025

communities throughout the country to create impact for people with lived experience of mental health and addiction. This includes extensive engagement with mental health and addiction sector, iwi, kaupapa Māori providers, government, NGOs, government agencies, and lived experience communities.&nbsp

Published: 23 May, 2024

analysis of well-established and respected data sources used across government to inform policy-making.  And a qualitative aspect which provides case studies of initiatives that are succeeding in promoting Pacific Peoples’ mental health and wellbeing, which may act as a model for future work

Published: 12 September, 2023

as three focus reports on kaupapa Māori services, lived experience of Compulsory Community Treatment Orders and admission of young people to adult inpatient services. We also released a report on the peer support workforce. In our webinar series, we focused on: Lived experiences of Compulsory