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Published: September 2023

Kia ora, tough times affect each of us differently. It’s okay to reach out if you need to or, if you’re worried about someone else, to encourage them to reach out. We all need a bit of support from time to time. If you or someone you know is struggling, we want you to know that however you or they

Published: 17 September, 2021

Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill (the Bill). Speaking on behalf of the Commission, Board member Kevin Hague, noted the Commission’s support for the Bill’s aim to ban conversion practices. “The Commission welcomes the introduction of this bill to prohibit conversion practices and supports its general

Published: 6 October, 2022

exacerbated and amplified many existing inequities in mental health and wellbeing outcomes, and in accessing services and supports. In the face of challenges presented by the pandemic, iwi, hapū, and whānau Māori exercised rangatiratanga, providing practical support for themselves and others through the

Published: 5 June, 2024

picture of the system available. More New Zealanders are accessing mental health or addiction support from a GP or other primary health provider. The Access and Choice programme, newly established in 2019/20, provided support to around 186,000 people in 2022/23. However, the number of people

Published: January 2024

Our commitment to lived experience We have promised to uphold a ‘nothing about us, without us’ approach and to work together to transform the mental health and addiction system. Meet our Lived Experience Advisors We currently have two Lived Experience Advisors who support connections with tāngata

Published: 29 May, 2025

years there has been a drop in the number of people accessing treatment and support. The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission is concerned that people may not be able to access support when they need it,” said Sonya Russell, Director Mental Health and Addiction System Leadership.   In 2023

Published: 1 May, 2023

-19 pandemic and lockdowns led to an increase in reports of violence and harm in the home, with some groups particularly impacted. The report also shows the following: Being cut off from support networks and being trapped in unsafe situations saw violence and controlling behaviour change, increase

Published: 19 April, 2024

Te Hiringa Mahara supports the introduction of a Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy that will fall under the existing Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act. The law will be amended to bring into being a new strategy. Submissions on the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) (Improving Mental Health Outcomes

Published: April 2026

This is a great time to join us and play a key role in supporting us as we assess and report on progress with system transformation, monitor mental health and addiction services, and advocate for the collective interests of people with lived experience of mental distress and/or addiction. We are

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