On this page you'll find information outlining the system achievements for mental health care and addiction services as part of the health system reform implementation roadmap.
Horizon 1 – Financial year 2022-2024
- National mental health new models defined with some launched
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Responsible organisation: Health New Zealand
Context
Over 50 percent of New Zealanders will experience mental distress and addiction challenges at some point in their lives. Current mental health and addiction services are complex and confusing to navigate, so many people do not receive the help they need when they need it. In 2018, ‘He Ara Oranga’ the mental health inquiry found an urgent need to transform mental health and addiction services across the full continuum of care.
What will be achieved
New national mental health models will be defined, with some launched in 2023, to improve health outcomes and improve access to mental health programmes and services, which will include new models of specialist Māori mental health and addiction services
More information
He Ara Oranga : Report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction | Mental Health and Addiction Inquiry
Te Pae Tata - Te Whatu Ora
Kia Manawanui Aotearoa – Long-term pathway to mental wellbeing
The Mental Health and Addiction System and Service Framework 2022-2032 - Roll out of National Mental Health and Addiction Programmes
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Responsible organisation: Health New Zealand
Context
Over 50 percent of New Zealanders will experience mental distress and addiction challenges at some point in their lives, which can impact their ability to build and maintain relationships, care for themselves and whānau, engage in work and participate in society. Our current mental health and addiction services are complex and confusing to navigate, so many people do not receive the help they need until it is too late. In 2018, the ‘He Ara Oranga’ report highlighted the urgent need to transform mental health and addiction services across the full continuum of care.
What will be achieved
Continue rollout of national mental health and addiction programmes (Budget 2019 and Budget 2022) to address inequities. This includes:
- Continue rollout of national mental health and addition (Budget 19 & 22) programmes.
- Expanded Te Ao Māori mental health service solutions designed, including primary mental health and wellbeing services (access and choice)
- Increased the availability of, and trialled, new models of taurite specialist Māori mental health and addiction services
More information
- Mental Health & Addiction System Investment - ongoing rollout
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Responsible organisation: Health New Zealand
Context
Following He Ara Oranga, the report of the independent Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction, the government announced significant investment through Budget 22 of investment in mental health across a continuum of primary and specialist services.
What will be achieved
Ongoing rollout of mental health and addiction Budget 22 initiatives, including Mana Ake and specialist services
More information
- Problem Gambling Strategy Implementation: MoU
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Responsible organisation: Ministry of Health
Context
The Gambling Act 2003 sets out the requirement for ‘an integrated problem gambling strategy focused on public health’. Gambling harm continues to be a significant social and economic issue. With 1 in 5 people experiencing harm from gambling in their lifetime. Māori, Pacific peoples, Asian communities, young people and those on lower incomes are disproportionately effected and this can exacerbate inequities.
What will be achieved
Agreed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry, Te Whatu Ora and Te Aka Whai Ora by 30/06/23 that outlines roles, responsibilities and ways of working collaboratively to deliver the government’s Problem Gambling Strategy 2022-2025.
More information
Achieved 2022-23
- Oranga Hinengaro system and services framework agreed
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Responsible organisation: Ministry of Health
Context
Kia Manawanui was launched in 2021 as Government’s high-level plan to support the mental wellbeing on New Zealanders. One of the actions within Kia Manawanui was the’ development of frameworks and guidance to steer contemporary approaches to mental wellbeing.’
What has been achieved
The Oranga Hinengaro System and Service Framework was launched in April 2023. It identifies the core components of a contemporary mental health and addiction system with a 10-year view and provides guidance for those responsible for publicly funded health system policy, design, service commissioning, and delivery.
More information
- Kia Manawanui Aotearoa – Long-term pathway to mental wellbeing
- Oranga Hinengaro System and Service Framework
- He Ara Oranga : Report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction | Mental Health and Addiction Inquiry
- Summary of Feedback: Kia Kaha, Kia Māia, Kia Ora Aotearoa: COVID-19 Psychosocial and Mental Wellbeing Recovery Plan
- Mental Health policy and approach
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Responsible organisation: Ministry of Health
Context
He Ara Oranga, the report of the independent Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction, recognised that the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992 (the Mental Health Act) has not kept pace with the shift towards a recovery and wellbeing approach to care, and has never been comprehensively reviewed. The report made the following recommendation: ‘Repeal and replace the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992 so that it reflects a human rights-based approach, promotes supported decision-making, aligns with the recovery and wellbeing model of mental health, and provides measures to minimise compulsory or coercive treatment.’
Government accepted the recommendation to repeal and replace the Mental Health Act.
What has been achieved
A Cabinet paper has been developed seeking a decision on the second tranche of policy proposals for mental health, for the work underway to repeal and replace the Mental Health Act 1992.
More information
- He Ara Oranga : Report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction | Mental Health and Addiction Inquiry
- Summary of Feedback: Kia Kaha, Kia Māia, Kia Ora Aotearoa: COVID-19 Psychosocial and Mental Wellbeing Recovery Plan
- Repealing and replacing the Mental Health Act
- Cabinet Material: Policy decisions for transforming mental health law
- Every Life Matters (suicide prevention strategy) action plan progress report agreed
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Responsible organisation: Ministry of Health
Context
Suicide has a long-lasting and far-reaching impact on the lives of many people in New Zealand. Every year, far too many New Zealanders die by suicide, with many more attempting suicide. This has a devastating impact on their whānau and families, friends, peers, colleagues, hapū, iwi and wider communities.
What has been achieved
Publication of the approved Every Life Matters (suicide prevention) strategy and annual updates provided to Cabinet. Every Life Matters focuses on building a solid platform for suicide prevention efforts around the country. It includes key actions across the suicide prevention continuum that increase protective factors and reduce risk factors for suicide.
More information
- Every Life Matters – He Tapu te Oranga o ia Tangata: Suicide Prevention Strategy 2019–2029 and Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2019–2024 for Aotearoa New Zealand
- Suicide Prevention Strategy and Action Plan
- Suicide Facts: Deaths and intentional self-harm hospitalisations - series
- Cabinet Material: Suicide Prevention Progress Update
- Mental Health & Addiction System Investment - completed rollout
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Responsible organisation: Health New Zealand
Context
Following He Ara Oranga, the report of the independent Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction, the government announced significant investment through Budget 22 of investment in primary mental health and addiction services through the Access and Choice Programme
What will be achieved
Complete rollout of Budget 2019 national Access and Choice primary mental health and addiction programme.
More information
Horizon 2 – Financial year 2024-2027
- New models to increase specialist mental health & addiction services implemented
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Responsible organisation: Health New Zealand
Context
To trial new models of specialist mental health and addiction services and increase availability for people with specific needs in targeted areas across the country.
Focused support of Specialist Mental Health and Addiction Services delivered - $100 m over 4 years confirmed funding
What will be achieved
- Complete roll-out of the Access and Choice programme for primary mental health and addiction support services so that access is available for 325,000 people per year by the end of June 2024 (July 2022 – June 2024)
- Number of mental health bed nights (July 2022 – June 2024)
- Total number of mental health contacts.
- People served by specialist and NGO mental health services per 100,000 people.
More information
- New Mental Health Act
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Responsible organisation: Ministry of Health
Context
He Ara Oranga, the report of the independent Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction, recognised that the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992 (the Mental Health Act) has not kept pace with the shift towards a recovery and wellbeing approach to care, and has never been comprehensively reviewed. The report made the following recommendation:
‘Repeal and replace the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992 so that it reflects a human rights-based approach, promotes supported decision-making, aligns with the recovery and wellbeing model of mental health, and provides measures to minimise compulsory or coercive treatment.’
Government accepted the recommendation to repeal and replace the Mental Health Act.
What will be achieved
New Mental Health Act passed into law that shifts the legislation governing compulsory mental health care towards an approach centred on human rights and recovery, and enabling care in line with a te ao Maori Māori world view.
More information
- Every Life Matters - He Tapu te Oranga o ia tangata (suicide prevention strategy) action plan 2024-2029
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Responsible organisation: Ministry of Health
Context
Suicide has a long-lasting and far-reaching impact on the lives of many people in New Zealand. Every year, far too many New Zealanders die by suicide, with many more attempting suicide. This has a devastating impact on their whānau and families, friends, peers, colleagues, hapū, iwi and wider communities.
The first suicide prevention action plan under He Tapu te Oranga o ia tāngata finishes in 2024, with the next version to be in place to 2029.
What will be achieved
Second Suicide Prevention Action Plan (2024-2029) developed, approved by Cabinet and launched publicly. Informed by public consultation this plan will outline the actions to be undertaken across the health system and wider government to reduce suicide and help deliver Every Life Matters - He Tapu te Oranga o ia tāngata.
More information
- Problem Gambling Strategy 2025-2028 developed
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Responsible organisation: Ministry of Health
Context
The Gambling Act 2003 sets out the requirement for ‘an integrated problem gambling strategy focused on public health’. Gambling harm continues to be a significant social and economic issue. With 1 in 5 people experiencing harm from gambling in their lifetime. Māori, Pacific peoples, Asian communities, young people and those on lower incomes are disproportionately affected and this can exacerbate inequities.
What will be achieved
Government’s Problem Gambling Strategy 2025-2028 developed, approved by Cabinet and launched.
More information