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Published: 8 August, 2025

addiction outcomes. Overall, the data shows an increase in psychological distress, and unmet need for mental health and addiction care. While hazardous drinking has decreased, problematic use of illicit substances has not. In general, findings show significant disparities for disabled adults and Māori and

Published: 11 June, 2025

representation of Māori accessing specialist services overall”. “There have been gains, with significant improvements to access for people seeking mental health and addiction support through a GP or other primary care services, however we are very concerned about the continued downward trend in the number

Published: 3 December, 2025

Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission has legal functions and powers, including the mandate to make recommendations. With any recommendations we make, we are committed to following up on progress towards and assessing achievement of them. This public accountability mechanism

Published: 5 May, 2023

Te Hiringa Mahara has produced a series of 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. Exercising rangatiratanga during the COVID-19 pandemic This report

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: 5 June, 2024

accessing specialist mental health and addiction services has decreased over a five-year time frame. In 2022/23, 3.4% of the population accessed a specialist service, a decrease from 3.8% in 2018/19. This is a drop of 9,000 people using these services. Of those seeking specialist support the decrease for

Published: September 2023

are feeling, there is someone to talk to and free help is available. People are here for you if you just want to seek advice around how to support people that you’re worried about. Whatever support you’re looking for, there is a variety of online tools and helplines. If it is an emergency situation

Published: 20 May, 2022

Budget. This will be particularly important given the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.  "Overall, it is encouraging to see the Government continuing to follow through on the outcomes of the He Ara Oranga report and honouring its commitment to better services and support for mental wellbeing."  ENDS For further information, contact: Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission media@mhwc.govt.nz  or 021 613 723

Published: 20 April, 2026

message was received loud and clear; the current Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992 is outdated and in need of a review. Repealing and replacing the law is one of 40 recommendations made in the Inquiry report. “While some changes don’t need to wait for the law to pass, the

Published: 15 May, 2023

to adult inpatient mental health services. Achieving zero admissions of young people into adult inpatient services will not be easy. We need genuine commitment, leadership, and a comprehensive plan to make this happen. It is not too late to start, but we certainly cannot afford to wait. At the heart