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Published: February 2026

focusing on our legislated priority groups. The purpose of this summary is to provide a synthesis of key mental health and substance use findings from the NZ Health Survey. We want to maximise available evidence to drive improved decision making. Our aim is for this information to be used for

Published: 5 July, 2022

Hayden Wano said the new name embraced the Commission’s role as the kaitiaki of mental health and wellbeing and was an expression of the commitment to being an organisation grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi.   “We started by making a strong commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and improving mental

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: April 2026

Ara Āwhina dashboard This dashboard pulls together data about many aspects of Aotearoa New Zealand’s mental health and addiction system. Updated April 2026. System performance monitoring The Commission's first Monitoring mental health and addiction system performance in Aotearoa New Zealand

Published: January 2026

Launching the new commission On Wednesday, 14 April 2021, Te Hiringa Mahara -- Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission held an event to acknowledge the establishment of Te Hiringa Mahara, which officially opened its doors on Wednesday, 9 February 2021. Hon Andrew Little, Minister of Health; Hayden

Published: August 2025

We currently have two Lived Experience Advisors whose job is to support connections with tāngata whaiora and lived experience communities and provide advice on all of the work of Te Hiringa Mahara.  Saskia Ymker Saskia Ymker (she/her) is Kaitohu Mātāmua Wheako Ora | Principal Advisor Lived

Published: 3 April, 2025

provides an overview of the implementation of Access and Choice,  primary mental health care programme.  The report finds that the Access and Choice programme has increased the access to and choice in services for people with mild to moderate mental health and addiction needs. This has

Published: 29 May, 2025

New analysis shows a 10.5% reduction in the number of people accessing addiction treatment services over the last five years raising concerns about whether there is sufficient capacity to respond to an increase in demand.  “Recent reports show drug use has increased, yet over the past five

Published: 16 August, 2023

We extend warm congratulations to board member Taimi Allan who has been appointed as Mental Health Commissioner of South Australia.   The SA Commissioner plays a significant leadership role working to strengthen the mental wellbeing of South Australians. This is a role that Taimi is very

Published: January 2026

us and play a key role in supporting us as we assess and report on progress with system transformation, monitor mental health and addiction services, and advocate for the collective interests of people with lived experience of mental distress and/or addiction. We are committed to being grounded in Te