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Published: 29 October, 2024

passed into law with unanimous support from MPs. When the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill was introduced in October 2021, we advocated for the inclusion of a mental health and addiction strategy under the legislation. While six other strategies were specified, mental health and addiction was not included

Published: April 2026

that monitors across the breadth of national-level data. It aims to show what is working well and what isn’t in mental health and addiction services, how this has changed over time, and advocate for improvements. Youth services focus report - Admission of young people to adult inpatient mental health

Published: 2 February, 2022

advocated strongly for addressing persistent inequities existing within the system and meeting the needs of people who are underserved by the system. “While the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill is a chance to prepare for a system that best serves those whose health outcomes are deteriorating, it is important

Published: 17 June, 2020

The Mental Health Commissioner has today released a report , providing insights about mental health and addiction services. Chair of the Initial Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission, Mr Hayden Wano, says that this report is timely and signals how Government can enhance the response to He Ara

Published: January 2026

Wellbeing Commission in performing its functions and exercising its powers, under the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Act 2020, is to contribute to better and equitable mental health and wellbeing outcomes for people in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our Transparency Statement [PDF, 45 KB] explains how we

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

Published: 5 June, 2024

important questions about why there is a disconnect between an increasing need for mental health and addiction support and a decrease in people accessing specialist services. We continue to hear about barriers, such as long waiting lists, not knowing how or where to get support, the stigma of

Published: 30 April, 2026

everyone who needs it.”  “Rangatahi and young people shouldn’t have to wait for crisis before they can access effective help,” says Dr Cullen.  Read and download the new reports  

Published: 14 June, 2021

clearly to those voices over the last 18 months, particularly people and whānau with lived experience of mental distress and addiction. Through the reporting of the Initial Commission, she advocated strongly for the community’s call for system transformation to be prioritised and advanced by Government

Published: 5 November, 2025

developed by June 2027.  "A cohesive national approach will set out what is needed and where to supplement services. The challenge is to connect services up for people who need it wherever they live. This includes crisis lines which are under pressure,” Ms Orsborn said. “The current system