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Published: 11 June, 2025

extensive enough to drive improvement at the scale and pace we need,” said Karen Orsborn.  “It has been 7 years since the landmark He Ara Oranga report in 2018. Our report shows that while there are pockets of positive change, the system has got a significant way to go to achieve the outcomes

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: 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: February 2026

, particularly for Māori and young people. The system is under significant pressure, with longer wait times for crisis phone lines, people staying longer in services than five years ago and increased complexity of distress and needs. Crisis responses vary across the country, and in some areas, there

Published: 20 May, 2025

all parties in Parliament – agreed on recommendations for amendments to the Bill. The Select Committee has recommended some changes that strengthen the proposed legislation. Recommended improvements include that ‘advance directives’ and acknowledgement of the ‘dignity of risk’ are added to the guiding

Published: April 2026

Access to mental health and addiction services downloads | February 2026 Read or download the 2026 Access to mental health and addiction services data summary. Infographics Summary set of measures downloads | April 2026 Read or download the summary set of measures with key data up until 30 June

Published: May 2024

No summary available

Published: 2 October, 2025

This working paper presents a focused review of suicide and self-harm monitoring indicators. The paper outlines how these indicators will contribute to building a high-level picture about rates of suicide and self-harm in Aotearoa New Zealand. The purpose of this review was to identify a small set

Published: 27 January, 2022

. “We must be vigilant, nevertheless, to ensure that no one is left behind, now that Omicron is in the community. There is evidence that some people who use specialist mental health services and addiction services are being left behind,” says Hayden Wano, Chair of the Mental Health and Wellbeing

Published: January 2026

Te Hiringa Mahara - Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission has produced eight short reports during 2022 and 2023 to add our collective understanding of the wellbeing impacts of the pandemic and to provide key insights on wellbeing areas or populations of focus.     Wellbeing impacts of