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Published: January 2026

experience, whānau, and the mental health and addiction sector. Sonya brings to all her work a strong commitment to strength-based approaches that enable people to enhance their health and wellbeing and thrive. She is passionate about addressing inequity and understands the importance of working

Published: March 2026

A think tank convened by Te Hiringa Mahara created space for ‘blue sky’ thinking about the future role primary and community care can play in supporting people with mental health and substance use needs. To share the outcome of the think tank workshop held in August 2025, we have published a short

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: 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: February 2026

. 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 during acute mental health events. A high-quality acute continuum of mental health care can provide a safety net for anyone who needs it

Published: January 2026

in Aotearoa is addressed in a number reports.  See our wellbeing monitoring reports Notable reports include: Young people speak out about Wellbeing: An insights report into the Wellbeing of Rangatahi Māori and other Young People in Aotearoa Exercising rangatiratanga during the COVID-19 pandemic

Published: 14 June, 2021

clearly to those voices over the last 18 months, particularly people and whānau with lived experience of mental distress and addiction. Through the reporting of the Initial Commission, she advocated strongly for the community’s call for system transformation to be prioritised and advanced by Government

Published: 17 June, 2020

The Mental Health Commissioner has today released a report , providing insights about mental health and addiction services. Chair of the Initial Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission, Mr Hayden Wano, says that this report is timely and signals how Government can enhance the response to He Ara

Published: 15 December, 2025

was an opportunity for people to explore where we need to head with crisis responses.  The energetic, participatory workshop generated a lot of ideas. These have been documented in a short synthesis report: He Tirohanga o Te Ara Tūroa Bold Directions for the future of Aotearoa's Mental Health

Published: September 2023

wellbeing outcomes framework shows how wellbeing will be achieved from both a te ao Māori perspective and a shared perspective, which also applies to Māori. Wellbeing will be achieved when all people, their whānau (families) and hapori (communities) experience: From a te ao Māori perspective: Tino