Better mental health and wellbeing for our people

Te Hiringa Mahara (Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission) is kaitiaki of mental health and wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand. We were established as a result of He Ara Oranga, the 2018 inquiry into mental health and addiction, as an independent Crown entity at arms-length from the government of the day.

Our objective is to contribute to better and equitable mental health and wellbeing outcomes for all people in Aotearoa. We perform an enduring role in transforming Aotearoa New Zealand's approach to mental health and wellbeing. We have made a strong commitment to ground our work in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and improving mental health and wellbeing outcomes for Māori and whānau. This is front and centre of who we are and what we do. 

We are committed to prioritising the voices of people who experience mental distress, substance harm, gambling harm or addiction, and advocating for their needs and aspirations.

This new insights report focuses on acute options that can provide an alternative to acute inpatient care. Increasing the range of acute options provides people with viable and welcome alternatives that allow them to stay safe and supported in their local community.

Kua Tīmata Te Haerenga | The Journey Has Begun is our third mental health services and addiction services monitoring report. This report specifically focuses on access to services and options available. Published June 2024.