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Published: May 2026

outcomes. Inequities in mental health and wellbeing outcomes are strongly linked to wider social, economic and cultural factors, for example, access to adequate income or housing. We call on government to commit to consistent, nation-wide support to improve physical health, social connection, and

Published: 21 March, 2024

The announcement today by the Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey that a new mental health and addiction peer support service will be set up in hospital emergency departments is a positive move.   “People who are experiencing mental distress who arrive at an emergency department will

Published: February 2026

Download Mental Health Bill submission pdf, 284 KB Since our formation Te Hiringa Mahara - Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission has contributed to policy development to ensure Aotearoa New Zealand has mental health law based on human rights and eliminates coercive practices or reduces them to the

Published: January 2026

Waitangi, human rights and supported decision making. The process to repeal and replace the Mental Health Act is underway but will take years to be agreed and implemented. We don’t have to wait for changes to be made now. Make changes in practice now Implement cultural and other practice changes in

Published: January 2024

health and addiction services that support people's mental health and wellbeing in Aotearoa. Wellbeing Learn more about our monitoring and advocacy to address determinants of improved individual and whānau mental health and wellbeing outcomes.

Published: 23 May, 2024

example is adequate household income – Pacific young people are putting their learning on hold to support their families due to rising cost of living. We can expect this situation to worsen if left unaddressed.” "We want to see a continued focus on mental health and wellbeing outcomes for Pacific

Published: 6 October, 2022

exacerbated and amplified many existing inequities in mental health and wellbeing outcomes, and in accessing services and supports. In the face of challenges presented by the pandemic, iwi, hapū, and whānau Māori exercised rangatiratanga, providing practical support for themselves and others through the

Published: 29 June, 2023

The significant contribution made by peer support workers in the mental health and addiction system is highlighted in a new insights paper released today by Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission.   The findings of the Peer Support Workforce Insight Paper include calls

Published: 20 April, 2026

persistent inequities for Māori and Pacific peoples that must be addressed. “We need to see a shift in the system to ensure human rights are upheld in practice. A new Mental Health Act is needed to support the reduction and ultimately the end of seclusion and enable clear pathways for safe and

Published: 10 December, 2020

framework. The framework will support the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission’s function to monitor mental health services and addiction services and will be used to advocate for improvements to those services. This function was transferred from the Health and Disability Commissioner Act