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Published: 16 June, 2022

In early June we provided an article on coercive practices to the New Zealand Herald for consideration as part of its Great Minds campaign on mental health. The article, by our Chief Executive Karen Orsborn, pointed out that coercive practices continue in Aotearoa New Zealand despite evidence they

Published: 31 May, 2023

This mental health and addiction service monitoring report is the main report that monitors across the breadth of national-level data. It aims to show what is working well and what isn’t in mental health and addiction services, how this has changed over time, and advocate for improvements. This

Published: January 2026

pandemic, often coping and supporting others across a range of areas - despite often facing worse impacts of the pandemic. Find out more about the impact of COVID-19 on wellbeing of older people in Aotearoa New Zealand   Media reporting of COVID-19 Our first report, Media reporting of COVID-19 and mental health and wellbeing, provides a scene-setter for the rest of the series. Find out more about COVID-19 media reporting  

Published: 4 November, 2025

Crisis responses are a critical part of an effective mental health system, and we are calling for a nationally cohesive approach to crisis responses to be developed by June 2027. In Aotearoa New Zealand, we have a collection of services with components that are working well. Elements of a good

Published: 29 May, 2025

Two new data summaries provide updated data on access and trends for mental health and addiction services, with the second one focused on addiction specialist services. This is released as part of our regular monitoring role. The purpose of these data summaries is to highlight and bring together

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: August 2025

Te Hiringa Mahara - Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission is a kaitiaki (guardian) of mental health and wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our history We were established as a result of He Ara Oranga, the 2018 inquiry into mental health and addiction , as an independent Crown entity at arms-length

Published: 1 November, 2023

Read [PDF 2.9 MB] Focus Group Questions - Easy Read [PDF 1.6 MB] Consent Form - Easy Read [PDF 2.3 MB] Watch our access to mental health and addiction services videos in New Zealand Sign Language: Participation Information  Focus Group Questions Consent Form

Published: 29 August, 2023

Rongo Ake is a report from the Initial Commission that assesses progress of the Government’s response to He Ara Oranga, the inquiry into mental health and addiction, addresses the question: “how is system transformation progressing?”, and asks: what progress is government making in its response to He

Published: 27 October, 2022

services. “As the Commission notes, the arrival of the Omicron variant has exposed long-standing, fundamental weaknesses in our health system. There is little capacity in the mental health system to cope with shocks, there are entrenched inequities in access to services and better outcomes experienced by