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Published: 31 May, 2023

to experience long waiting times to access specialist services. Our young people deserve better,” says Te Hiringa Mahara Board Chair Hayden Wano. “The workforce has grown for specialist adult mental health and addiction services over the last five years, but workforce vacancies have doubled. We want

Published: 24 November, 2022

wellbeing, 32% of 15-year-olds did not feel like they belonged in school and 17% of people reported experiencing discrimination in the last year. “The latest report from the Treasury also points out that the total growth in mental distress across all people in Aotearoa has been borne mainly by young

Published: 18 February, 2025

Data released today by Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission shows that fewer people accessed specialist mental health and addiction services in the year from July 2023 to June 2024 than in previous years. Recently available data shows a decrease of over 3,000 fewer people than

Published: January 2026

Wellbeing System Leadership and Insights Dr Ella Cullen is the Director Wellbeing System Leadership and Insights, with a focus on cross-government system leadership, monitoring, and advocacy to address determinants of improved individual and whānau mental health and wellbeing outcomes. Ella will lead

Published: 25 March, 2026

distress becomes overwhelming. “We know that timely care is critical as the effects of mental distress can follow them through their lives, sometimes causing devastating effects for them and their whānau down the track. “Our current data shows that across Aotearoa New Zealand, those under the age of 18

Published: January 2026

  Māori, who make up 17% of the population and have higher rates of mental distress than other population groups, have been advocating for equitable funding for Kaupapa Māori services for decades.   What needs to change? We want to see: Equitable investment in Kaupapa Māori services

Published: February 2026

is to improve what we offer. Any feedback and suggestions are very welcome – please get in touch by email kiaora@mhwc.govt.nz .  In time, we will monitor other mental health and addiction supports and services, and we will continue to make more detailed investigations into system-level change.  Last updated: 11 June 2025.

Published: 29 October, 2024

Last week we welcomed the passing by Parliament of the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) (Improving Mental Health Outcomes) Amendment Bill. This amendment requires that the Minister for Mental Health produce a mental health and wellbeing strategy for Aotearoa New Zealand within 12 months. The Bill was

Published: 11 June, 2025

“Our new system performance monitoring report highlights the need for faster improvements to address declining mental health and wellbeing,” said Karen Orsborn, CEO of Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission. The System Performance Monitoring Report released today by Te Hiringa

Published: 25 February, 2026

Te Hiringa Mahara is calling for increased urgency to improve access to specialist mental health and addiction services for young people after new analysis shows a continued reduction in the number of young people accessing services.   Despite 15-to-24 year-olds reporting increasing levels of