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Published: February 2026

Wellbeing Commission will be publishing on the Access and Choice programme, as the five-year roll-out period is now complete. Te Hiringa Mahara released reports in October 2021 and November 2022 to provide independent updates on the implementation of the programme. This report builds on our two previous

Published: 4 November, 2025

system either supports someone or fails them. It’s that important.”  “We need to build a system that supports people when and where they need it. The current system doesn’t always work well for Māori, young people or those living rurally in particular,” said Karen Orsborn, Chief Executive of Te

Published: 14 June, 2021

Commission set to move forward on advancing Aotearoa’s wellbeing agenda The Chair of the Commission Board, Hayden Wano, has today announced the appointment of its new Tumu Whakarae - Chief Executive for the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission. Karen Orsborn steps into the Chief Executive role

Published: 15 December, 2025

When people gathered at the Hauora hinengaro: He ara tūroa conference in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland in early November, it was a first for more than one reason. The day-long event was the first-time people from across the mental health and addiction sector have met to look at how crisis responses are

Published: August 2025

Our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi Learn more about our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Relationships and engagements Learn more about our relationship and engagement with Māori communities, systems and services. Advancing Māori mental health Find more information about the work that we do, including reports, about advancing Māori mental health.

Published: 5 June, 2024

to be able to respond,” Orsborn says. “Based on this new report, we now better understand what is happening across the system. Our report offers five recommendations that put the spotlight on where we can improve access and options available for people seeking support.” Downloads Kua Tīmata He Haerenga | The Journey Has Begun report June 2024 Voices report: Accompanying report to Kua Tīmata Te Haerenga June 2024   Update monitoring dashboard

Published: January 2024

Lived Experience Learn about our commitment to being an advocate for communities with lived experience of mental distress and addiction. Advocacy Learn about our advocacy work. Mental Health and Addiction System Learn about how we independently monitor, assess, report and share findings on mental

Published: 29 June, 2023

to draw on this workforce’s unique first-hand understanding of distress, addiction and recovery, and to substantially grow and better support this crucial workforce.  “There is a strong case for the peer workforce to play a greater role in supporting people experiencing mental distress or

Published: May 2026

This report and infographic on the state of wellbeing, and priorities to support greater wellbeing for Pacific peoples in Aotearoa, was published in May 2024. Assessment of youth and rangatahi wellbeing and access to services infographic This quantitative assessment of mental health and wellbeing

Published: January 2026

clinical and other information in plain language, and taking more time to support people through decision making. Invest in acute alternative options Invest in culturally appropriate, community-based acute and crisis services to provide genuine choice for people and whānau, alongside inpatient care