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Published: February 2026

in the right direction to update the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992. To embed a fully modern human rights framework in our mental health and addiction system, more work is needed to promote supported decision making in practice and reform other relevant legislation. We

Published: January 2026

Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992),  a lack of understanding about the expertise of people to manage their own distress, and  a lack of safe, accessible community-based options for acute care and crisis support.  Read our submission on the Mental Health Bill , which seeks

Published: 5 June, 2024

in practice and legislation that respects people’s rights to make decisions about their care and treatment and supports their capacity to do so. This infographic contains data about the use of selected coercive practices. We report this data as part of our monitoring of mental health and addiction

Published: February 2026

Download the report Acute options for mental health care insights paper Our insights paper on acute options that can provide an alternative to acute inpatient care. Report This insights report focuses on acute mental health service options that can provide an alternative to acute inpatient care

Published: 25 February, 2026

is not slowing down. “We need to see focused action and sustained leadership to ensure young people receive the care and support they need in a timely way,” said Ms Orsborn. The Commission has recommended that Health NZ take action to improve access to specialist mental health and addiction services

Published: 20 May, 2025

In this article Sonya Russell, Director Mental Health and Addiction Sector Leadership, outlines progress by Parliament to repeal and replace the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992.  With its 17 April report on the Mental Health Bill, the Health Select Committee has

Published: 31 March, 2026

than any other group to be subject to compulsory assessment and treatment orders. “Te Hiringa Mahara has consistently advocated to end practices such as seclusion and compulsory community treatment as they can cause harm and undermine dignity. In its submission on the Mental Health Bill, Te Hiringa

Published: 23 October, 2024

that we could have included (e.g. Piripono, Kōtuku, Te Ao Marama, and many more). These examples illustrate creativity in action, demonstrating the success and benefits of alternative models to acute inpatient care. Each of the four example services are solutions created from the community, for the

Published: 16 June, 2022

Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992, to "reflect modern approaches to human rights, supported decision-making and informed consent". All people accessing health and disability services have the right to make an informed choice and give informed consent to treatment, to the extent possible with their decision

Published: 10 July, 2023

This report looks at compulsory community treatment orders (CCTOs) made under section 29 of the Mental Health Act 1992. The focus is on amplifying voices of tāngata whaiora, whānau, and family. We heard that the clinical review and the court hearing processes involved in CCTOs can silence or