Te Hiringa Mahara, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission, says urgent action is needed to improve Aotearoa’s mental health and addiction system, warning that progress remains too slow for the communities with the greatest need.
The Commission says while some workforce improvements are being made, they are not yet translating into better access, better support or better outcomes for many people seeking help.
Rangatahi and Māori continue to face inequitable access to services and poorer outcomes across the system, raising concerns that current reforms are not moving fast enough to meet demand.
Spokesperson Maraea Johns is expected to highlight the need for stronger accountability, faster delivery and a sharper focus on culturally appropriate services designed by and for Māori.
Key concerns include delays in care, pressure on frontline services, gaps in kaupapa Māori provision, and a system that still struggles to respond early before distress escalates into crisis.
The Commission says improvements in workforce numbers alone will not be enough if structural barriers remain. It says services must be easier to access, better connected, and grounded in the needs of whānau, hapū and communities.
The report is expected to intensify pressure on government agencies and health leaders to show how investment and reform are improving real-life outcomes for people most affected by mental distress and addiction.
Te Hiringa Mahara says the system must move beyond slow incremental change and deliver faster, measurable improvements for Māori, rangatahi and whānau across Aotearoa.
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