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Published: 9 March, 2023

During the 2020 national lockdown, reports of family violence increased considerably, but the New Zealand Police and advocacy groups were concerned that this was still under-reported. Women, children, rangatahi Māori, disabled people and rainbow youth were particularly affected. This is according

Published: 24 July, 2024

those who shared these experiences. We pause to remember those for whom this was too late.   The negative flow-on effects of decades of institutional abuse are still playing out. We must make sure enough is being done for those living with the aftermath.   The Commission says that

Published: January 2026

Waitangi, human rights and supported decision making. The process to repeal and replace the Mental Health Act is underway but will take years to be agreed and implemented. We don’t have to wait for changes to be made now. Make changes in practice now Implement cultural and other practice changes in

Published: 21 March, 2024

The announcement today by the Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey that a new mental health and addiction peer support service will be set up in hospital emergency departments is a positive move.   “People who are experiencing mental distress who arrive at an emergency department will

Published: 6 October, 2022

good mental health and wellbeing, services and resources are important, but not enough.  People need to have their rights, dignity and tino rangatiratanga upheld; they need to feel valued and connected to their communities and their cultures; and they need skills, resilience, hope and purpose

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message was received loud and clear; the current Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992 is outdated and in need of a review.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: 16 June, 2022

experience of mental distress want options for getting through crises at home or in welcoming, warm, home-like settings. We are already seeing great examples of innovative services for people experiencing high levels of distress, such as peer-led acute services, after-hours drop-in spaces, whānau-led wānanga

Published: 8 April, 2026

still relevant, including the need for increased investment in Kaupapa Māori services and effort to address the disproportionate need experienced by Māori.  We have a vision for the Strategy that is driven by our six system shifts , our Lived Experience and Te Tiriti o Waitangi position statements

Published: November 2025

was released in July 2025.  Statement of Intent 2025 - 2029 [PDF 6.1MB] Statement of Intent 2022 – 2026 - updated An updated Statement of Intent was prepared in 2024 to ensure current government priorities are reflected. The document was released in August 2024. Statement of Intent 2022-2026

Published: February 2026

Peer support workforce paper 2023 Read and download our Peer support workforce paper 2023 about the critical role of the peer workforce in enabling recovery, improving hope and in transforming the landscape of mental health and addiction services. Report This paper shows the critical role of the