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Published: 6 October, 2022

A narrow focus on mental health may prevent us from understanding the broader wellbeing impacts of COVID-19 in Aotearoa, Te Hiringa Mahara – the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission - has found in its first report on the impact of the pandemic on wellbeing. “For people to flourish and experience

Published: 22 March, 2023

Learning from the COVID-19 pandemic can help support the mental health and wellbeing of communities recovering from Cyclone Gabrielle. This is according to today’s Te Hiringa Mahara – the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission report,  Supporting wellbeing after a crisis .&nbsp

Published: 11 May, 2023

Māori-led initiatives played a key role in protecting the health and wellbeing of communities, supporting connection with individuals and whānau, and sharing information and resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is according to today’s Te Hiringa Mahara – the Mental Health and Wellbeing

Published: February 2026

published 30 June 2022 and describes what an ideal mental health and addiction system looks like. This will be used to assess, monitor, and advocate for improvements to the mental health and addiction system of Aotearoa, including services. He Ara Āwhina amplifies the most important voices – tāngata

Published: 27 July, 2021

and functions of the Commission as well as the role of the Commission's Board. Gladys asked her about the things that people need to know and understand about mental health and wellbeing and the current move in Aotearoa to transform our mental health and addiction system. "He Ara Oranga talked about

Published: 8 April, 2026

Consultation by the Ministry of Health on the first, national Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy began on 8 April 2026. We would like everyone to share their views and make their voices heard. Te Hiringa Mahara has provided independent advice to the Minister for Mental Health on the development

Published: March 2024

together and synthesises evidence from academic research, New Zealand data, and the voices of people with lived experience on the value of the peer support workforce in mental health and alcohol and drug services. While the peer support workforce in Aotearoa is growing, it remains a small proportion of our

Published: 21 March, 2024

be supported while they wait. This will be positive for both the department and people seeking help,” says Karen Orsborn, Te Hiringa Mahara | Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission CEO.   “Getting care from a Peer Support Specialist at the ED department can help reduce the distress that

Published: 2 September, 2025

study from the literature scan.  The session was chaired by Dr Barbara Disley, Te Hiringa Mahara board member. Download the Crisis responses to mental health and/or substance use: What works? A literature scan (August 2025) 

Published: 27 January, 2022

Commission. January figures from the Ministry of Health indicate that mental health service users have full vaccination rates that are 9% lower than the general population, and rates amongst addiction service users are 19% lower than the general population. The figures for Māori are also concerning