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Published: February 2026

Wellbeing Commission will be publishing on the Access and Choice programme, as the five-year roll-out period is now complete. Te Hiringa Mahara released reports in October 2021 and November 2022 to provide independent updates on the implementation of the programme. This report builds on our two previous

Published: 20 May, 2025

are failing to address well-established high rates of suicide and mental distress among our young people as a nation. There is overwhelming evidence to show that psychological distress and mental wellbeing for young people is declining over time. New Zealand’s high suicide rates was one of the

Published: April 2026

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. These changes in service use are due to the increasing complexity of needs in those accessing specialist

Published: 17 May, 2023

pleased to see considerable reduction in the rate of young people admitted to adult inpatient services over the last decade.  However, systemic changes are required, with committed leadership and a detailed action plan for responding to young people experiencing crisis and acute distress

Published: 24 November, 2022

Te Hiringa Mahara Director of Wellbeing System Leadership and Insights Dr. Filipo Katavake-McGrath acknowledges today’s release of the Treasury’s inaugural  Te Tai Waiora: Wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand 2022  report. The report follows a decade of Treasury policy analysis of

Published: 25 February, 2026

people, including young people, however it is still falling short of the aim of 325,000 per year,” Ms Orsborn said. Editor’s note - summary of key findings More people were able to access services overall 183,356 people used specialist services in 2024/2025, an increase of 6,072 (3.4% increase) compared

Published: 28 October, 2021

schedule and that the roll out of integrated primary mental health and addiction (IPMHA) services is proceeding as planned,” says Wano. “However, the Commission would like to see the rollout of services for Māori, Pacific peoples, and youth accelerated. This is of considerable importance and would

Published: 8 December, 2021

experience good wellbeing, most of the time. The report also found that a concerningly large minority of people and communities experience persistently poor wellbeing. “This may not come as a surprise to many, but that does not make it any less concerning,” says Board Chair, Hayden Wano. “When a person

Published: 20 May, 2025

now passed the Bill back to Parliament to be finalised. This marks another significant step in Aotearoa New Zealand’s process to repeal and replace the Mental Health Act 1992. However, there are no wholesale changes to the Bill recommended in the report, despite many submitters stating that the Bill

Published: 9 April, 2025

statement in response to planned changes. People in acute mental health distress need access to the services and help they need in a timely way. Strengthening the health led crisis responses is the right direction to head. We are keeping a close eye on the implementation of changes being made by NZ