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Published: 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: February 2026

services in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Access and Choice programme, rolled out from 2019/20 over five years, has a particular focus on people with mild-to-moderate mental health and addiction needs. It aims to improve access to primary mental health, wellbeing, and addiction services, including in Kaupapa

Published: 22 September, 2021

the urgent need for action. The Commission will provide insights and advice on what works well and bring people together to make it happen. Whānau and communities want to see things moving forward – the need at a local level is now. We will make sure that the need for mental health reform and advancing Aotearoa’s wellbeing agenda is kept front and centre across government,” says Hayden Wano.

Published: 14 June, 2021

from 1 July after leading the Commission’s establishment efforts as Acting Chief Executive since it opened in February. Throughout 2020, she also led the early set-up phase as Head of Secretariat for the Initial Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission (Initial Commission). “It’s with great pleasure I

Published: 18 August, 2022

Aotearoa safe during the worst of the COVID-19 outbreak. For some people the responses that have kept them safe have also contributed to loneliness and isolation, disconnecting them from family, whānau and friends. For some, it has meant a reduction in the support and services needed to live

Published: April 2026

needs of Māori and whānau accessing specialist mental health and addiction services. Health NZ provides guidance for the delivery of effective acute community options tailored to meet the needs of rangatahi and youth by June 2025. Health NZ develops a mental health and addiction data plan by June 2025

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

have no therapeutic value, and called for investment that will provide the choice of services needed to enhance safety for all. Karen Orsborn: Time to end coercive practices in mental health care OPINION: People in Aotearoa New Zealand experiencing significant mental distress continue to be subject

Published: January 2026

goal of mental wellbeing for all.  In 2018 Josiah was appointed as panel member of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction which set the foundations for Te Hiringa Mahara, and the wider support needed in their report He Ara Oranga. In 2021 he co-led young people's support for

Published: 30 June, 2022

The most important terms in He Ara Āwhina are explained here, along with complex terms that are not ‘everyday language’. We have also included words that people told us needed more explanation during our public consultation on the draft He Ara Āwhina framework. Where we have made use of other