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Published: January 2026

  We are advocating for change from a coercive to a choice-based mental health system. The changes we are calling for can be made now. Repeal and replace the Mental Health Act New legislation must be co-designed with people with lived experience of compulsory treatment, uphold Te Tiriti o

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: 20 May, 2022

move in the right direction towards addressing issues raised in our recent Te Huringa report and transforming the system toward the vision of He Ara Oranga. The focus of this investment is aligned with the voices of Māori and tāngata whaiora (people with lived experience of distress and addiction

Published: 17 June, 2020

, no matter who they are or where they live,” says Mr Wano. “While change is happening, we want to see Government strengthening the commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi by partnering with Māori and people with lived experience of mental health and addiction to design services – and a system – that

Published: 23 October, 2024

Government recently announced that six new Crisis Recovery Cafés will be rolled out around the country over the next two years. The benefits of this type of care model are examined in our recently released insights paper on acute options for mental health care. Our Lived Experience team prepared

Published: 10 July, 2023

  People in mental distress and their whānau do not feel heard in clinical review and court processes that lead to enforced treatment a report released today by Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission shows.  The Lived Experiences of Compulsory Community Treatment

Published: 13 December, 2023

rangatahi and young people, and other populations who experience disadvantage. Having strong relationships with communities is important for our collective kaupapa. We conducted our first stakeholder engagement survey to better understand their experiences engaging with us. In this survey, 70% of

Published: March 2026

the report we heard extensive feedback from people with lived experience, whānau and the broader sector about the wider primary care landscape. Participants expressed strong support for the need for continued Access and Choice programme funding and approach as part of this future system. Other

Published: 4 November, 2025

mental health system.   Crisis support must be health-led, with a strong role for the lived experience workforce. People need a real choice of safe and welcoming options for both mental health and substance use crises. This must be culturally safe, trauma-informed and uphold human rights wherever

Published: 4 November, 2025

approaches.  Shorter term actions are also called for by 30 June 2026, including ensuring 24/7 phone-based crisis support and consistent pathways are also prioritised.  Te Hiringa Mahara stress a strong role for a lived experience workforce, and real choices of safe and welcoming services that are