Search

Published: 25 June, 2020

. Chair of the Initial Commission, Mr Hayden Wano, says that this report provides a check-in on areas that are progressing and offers advice for Government to consider in these early days of system transformation. “We were established to hold the government – and the system – to account for the

Published: March 2024

Treatment Orders   under the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992. In this report, we intentionally bring forward the views of tāngata whaiora Māori, people with lived experience, family, and whānau related to the Compulsory Community Treatment Order process.  The

Published: 1 October, 2020

and Pacific communities. People told us: Support starts and continues with people and communities, not services. The former Mental Health Commissioner’s framework was viewed as being too narrow but was something that could be refined and built upon. The voices of Māori and tāngata whaiora are crucial

Published: 13 December, 2023

annual report available for download.    A big emphasis in the last year has been on solidifying our monitoring approach and laying the foundation for our advocacy. We published Te Huringa Tuarua, a detailed report on services, along with four insights papers exploring youth services

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

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

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: January 2026

Our leadership team provides strategic guidance for Te Hiringa Mahara -- Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission. The team includes Chief Executive, Karen Orsborn, and four directors who are responsible for our core workstreams.  Karen Orsborn, Tumu Whakarae | Chief Executive Karen is the Chief

Published: January 2026

populations who are at greater risk of experiencing poorer mental health and wellbeing. Board members are appointed for their governance and mental health and wellbeing sector expertise but do not act as representatives or advocates for specific communities. They do, of course, draw on their perspectives

Published: 30 June, 2022

people are forced or pressured to do something. This can include forced medication, solitary confinement, forced electroconvulsive therapy, physical restraint, mechanical restraint, and environmental restraint such as locked units. Coercive practises also include influencing decision making in a