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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: January 2026

Aotearoa This report grows our collective understanding of the systems and determinants that affect rangatahi Māori and young people’s wellbeing, which in turn, influences mental health. It elevates the voices of young people and draws from their experiences and expertise. Four common themes of

Published: March 2024

into kaupapa Māori mental health and addiction services, shed light on the significant disparities faced by Māori in mental health outcomes, and called for changes that are needed to address these inequities.   Hei taua huirangi ka tuku atu mātou i tētahi tirohanga whānui o ngā haumitanga

Published: 24 March, 2026

A think tank convened by Te Hiringa Mahara created space for ‘blue sky’ thinking about the future role primary and community care can play in supporting people with mental health and substance use needs. To share the outcome of the think tank workshop held in August 2025, we have published a short

Published: 3 April, 2025

  At the five- year mark, the Access and Choice Programme has proved to be a valuable addition to the mental health, addiction and wellbeing support services available to people throughout the country. Today Te Hiringa Mahara – the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission released a report that

Published: 19 April, 2024

) Amendment Bill are currently being considered by the Health Select Committee. Read our submission (PDF 175 KB) When the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill was introduced by the previous government in October 2021, we advocated for the inclusion of a mental health and addiction strategy under the legislation

Published: 31 October, 2025

Today’s announcement of changes to the composition of the Board of Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission by Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey have been welcomed. “The new appointments and other board changes are the beginning of the next chapter for Te Hiringa Mahara

Published: 16 June, 2026

, that means although access to services is improving overall, it is not improving fast enough for young people, who continue to face rising psychological distress and persistent gaps in age-appropriate support. “We are also seeing increased unmet need for professional mental health support for Māori

Published: April 2026

understanding what is happening in New Zealand’s mental health and addiction system. This dashboard sits alongside He Ara Āwhina monitoring framework and reports.  The data is collated by Te Hiringa Mahara about services primarily funded through Vote Health sourced through many agencies. There are 76

Published: 31 May, 2023

More people are accessing new services through the Access and Choice programme, however, there has been a decrease in people accessing specialist mental health and addiction services and other primary mental health services, and little or no change on other measures of service quality. This is