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Published: January 2026

In 2025 we finalised an updated organisational strategy. This covers the four years to 2029 and sets out how we will achieve our vision and mission. The 2025-2029 Statement of Intent reflects this refreshed direction. Agreement to a new strategy followed a thorough review process, consultation and

Published: 14 June, 2021

Commission set to move forward on advancing Aotearoa’s wellbeing agenda The Chair of the Commission Board, Hayden Wano, has today announced the appointment of its new Tumu Whakarae - Chief Executive for the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission. Karen Orsborn steps into the Chief Executive role

Published: 1 October, 2020

and Pacific communities. People told us: Support starts and continues with people and communities, not services. The former Mental Health Commissioner’s framework was viewed as being too narrow but was something that could be refined and built upon. The voices of Māori and tāngata whaiora are crucial

Published: 23 October, 2024

the following overview of the paper. There is huge potential for more peer-led, community-based and Kaupapa Māori, services to support people experiencing acute distress.  Te Hiringa Mahara has brought much needed attention to a wide range of options that haven’t always got the limelight they

Published: 13 December, 2023

, kaupapa Māori services, compulsory community treatment orders and the peer support workforce. A dashboard has been developed to ensure data is more easily accessible See: www.mwhc.govt.nz/dashboard    Taking stock of the lessons we can take from the COVID-19 pandemic response was a focus

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: 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: 10 March, 2026

In this article Karen Orsborn, Chief Executive, outlines what needs to be done to promote online safety for rangatahi and young people.  Online spaces are now integrated into many young people’s lives, and Aotearoa, NZ has some of the highest rates of youth engagement in online spaces media in

Published: 16 June, 2022

In early June we provided an article on coercive practices to the New Zealand Herald for consideration as part of its Great Minds campaign on mental health. The article, by our Chief Executive Karen Orsborn, pointed out that coercive practices continue in Aotearoa New Zealand despite evidence they

Published: January 2026

Services Management (ACHSM) and a former President of ACHSM-Aotearoa. She holds a Master of Business Studies (Management) and has completed the Advanced Management and Leadership programme at Oxford University. She is a Registered Nurse. Ella Cullen, Kaiwhakahaere Pūnaha Toiora Arataki | Director of