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Published: January 2026

addiction services. These complaints are managed by the Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner (HDC). People who have concerns about the care they or others have experienced at a mental health or addiction service should contact the Nationwide Health and Disability Advocacy Service or make

Published: 4 July, 2024

The announcement of targets to address wait times and workforce pressures across the mental health and addiction system has been welcomed by Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission. “Access to appropriate services when and where they are needed is very important to people seeking

Published: 2 February, 2022

advocated strongly for addressing persistent inequities existing within the system and meeting the needs of people who are underserved by the system. “While the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Bill is a chance to prepare for a system that best serves those whose health outcomes are deteriorating, it is important

Published: 25 June, 2020

response to He Ara Oranga on behalf of those with lived experience of mental health and addiction,” says Mr Wano. “We acknowledge the commitment from Government to transform the system, and we appreciate that it will take time. The mental health and wellbeing system is complex and requires a

Published: January 2026

Wellbeing Commission in performing its functions and exercising its powers, under the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Act 2020, is to contribute to better and equitable mental health and wellbeing outcomes for people in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our Transparency Statement [PDF, 45 KB] explains how we

Published: January 2026

pressing and present issue when they think about their future, since young people, particularly rangatahi Māori, value the environment for their wellbeing Discrimination, including anti-rainbow discrimination and ableism, racism and the impacts of colonisation are significant issues for rangatahi Māori

Published: 30 September, 2025

As an integral part of our advocacy work, Te Hiringa Mahara - Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission often comments on and makes recommendations in response to consultation documents, regulations, draft bills, and regulations that may impact on the mental health and wellbeing of people in Aotearoa

Published: 30 November, 2022

Considerable progress has been made with the Access and Choice programme rollout over the last year, despite significant challenges for the primary care and mental health and addiction sectors in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is according to the second report on the programme by Te

Published: 14 February, 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has added additional stress to the rural community, which itself faces different wellbeing challenges to those of urban Aotearoa. This is according to today’s Te Hiringa Mahara – the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission report,  The impact of COVID-19 on the wellbeing

Published: 17 May, 2023

experienced admissions to adult facilities. “In the last year alone, 159 young people aged 12-17 years were admitted to adult mental health inpatient services – this is one quarter of young people who were admitted for inpatient mental health care. This is unacceptable. It needs to be zero. Adult and