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Published: 7 May, 2026

as essential to climate response and recovery,” says Te Hiringa Mahara Chief Executive, Karen Orsborn.  “Support for those already facing inequities, such as people and whānau with lived experience of distress, is critical. Further, timely access to mental health and addiction services should

Published: 15 April, 2026

A once‑in‑a‑decade Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy has been released for public consultation, and Te Hiringa Mahara is calling on New Zealanders to help shape the final document. The strategy will set the direction for mental health and wellbeing across Aotearoa for more than a decade, making

Published: 25 February, 2026

addiction outcomes. Overall, the data shows an increase in psychological distress, and unmet need for mental health and substance use care remaining similar to the previous year. Hazardous drinking has continued to decrease. In general, findings show significant disparities for disabled adults and Māori

Published: 31 March, 2026

Following the release of the Office of the Director of Mental Health and Addiction Services: Regulatory Report today, Te Hiringa Mahara is renewing its call for improvements to address concerning trends for Māori and Pacific peoples. The report shows Māori are 6.6 times, and Pacific peoples are 1.7

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: January 2026

  Māori, who make up 17% of the population and have higher rates of mental distress than other population groups, have been advocating for equitable funding for Kaupapa Māori services for decades.   What needs to change? We want to see: Equitable investment in Kaupapa Māori services

Published: 2 September, 2025

, including in peer-led services and co-response teams. The webinar explored key principles for an effective crisis response system, including the benefits of national coordination, standards, and infrastructure, alongside the impact of kaupapa Māori and peer-led initiatives in Aotearoa. This webinar

Published: February 2026

published 30 June 2022 and describes what an ideal mental health and addiction system looks like. This will be used to assess, monitor, and advocate for improvements to the mental health and addiction system of Aotearoa, including services. He Ara Āwhina amplifies the most important voices – tāngata

Published: 28 May, 2026

Te Hiringa Mahara - Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission is disappointed to see no new explicit investment into mental health and addiction services in today's budget. Of particular concern is the lack of funding for specialist services, where too many people are already waiting far too long to

Published: February 2026

Download Mental Health Bill submission pdf, 284 KB Since our formation Te Hiringa Mahara - Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission has contributed to policy development to ensure Aotearoa New Zealand has mental health law based on human rights and eliminates coercive practices or reduces them to the