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Published: February 2026

-making legislative framework for specialist mental health care. Regarding policy objectives, we welcome the Bill’s express purposes, principles underpinning limited use of “compulsory care”, and recognition of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. These important changes will partially address policy problems of

Published: January 2026

Executive of Te Hiringa Mahara. During 2020, Karen led the establishment of Te Hiringa Mahara as Head of Secretariat for the Initial Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission. Karen has held a variety of health management and leadership roles that focus on improving outcomes for people through working

Published: 13 December, 2023

New Zealand’s first Minister for Mental Health, Matt Doocey, has a big job ahead of him. Te Hiringa Mahara | Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission chair Hayden Wano outlines our top priorities to transform our mental health and addiction system.  The announcement that New Zealand will 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: 25 February, 2026

Te Hiringa Mahara is calling for increased urgency to improve access to specialist mental health and addiction services for young people after new analysis shows a continued reduction in the number of young people accessing services.   Despite 15-to-24 year-olds reporting increasing levels of

Published: February 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: July 2024

But there has been deterioration in youth mental wellbeing and determinants of wellbeing in recent years. Compared to older age groups, young people fared worse on several determinants of wellbeing. There are systemic inequities for disabled and LGBTQIA+ young people. Māori self-determination is

Published: 23 May, 2024

access to education opportunities, appropriate housing, and adequate incomes,” said report lead Dr Ella Cullen, Te Hiringa Mahara Director Wellbeing System Leadership and Insights. “We know that improved mental health and wellbeing for people is driven by things that are out of their control. One

Published: 6 October, 2022

A narrow focus on mental health may prevent us from understanding the broader wellbeing impacts of COVID-19 in Aotearoa, Te Hiringa Mahara – the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission - has found in its first report on the impact of the pandemic on wellbeing. “For people to flourish and experience

Published: January 2026

populations who are at greater risk of experiencing poorer mental health and wellbeing. Board members are appointed for their governance and mental health and wellbeing sector expertise but do not act as representatives or advocates for specific communities. They do, of course, draw on their perspectives