Mental Health and Addiction update – April 2026
- 3 hours ago
- 6 min read
I hope you were all able to take a moment to rest and recharge over the long weekend. The start of the year has been a busy one, and I want to acknowledge the work you do every day to support people, families, whānau and communities, and the impact it can have on your own wellbeing.
Today marks an important milestone. We have launched public consultation on the draft Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy – a ten-year plan to guide our collective efforts to improve mental health and wellbeing outcomes across Aotearoa New Zealand. This is the first time our country has had a Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy that is legally required, ensuring a sustained focus on improving outcomes for people over the long term. I know many of you have been waiting a long time for the opportunity to have your say on this Strategy, and we are pleased to finally be able to offer it to you. Please make a submission and help spread the word so that others can have their say too.
Alongside the consultation, we continue to make progress on key priorities for mental health and addiction. In this update, you’ll find information on the new Action Plan to Prevent and Reduce Substance Harm, changes to improve access to naloxone, an upcoming funding opportunity, work underway to strengthen the evidence base and support services to use data more effectively, and an update on the Mental Health Bill.
Public consultation launched on the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy
We have now opened consultation on the draft Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy – a ten-year plan for improving mental health and wellbeing outcomes for all New Zealanders.
The Strategy sets a clear direction for the next decade, building on the work already underway across the sector and focusing on what will make the greatest difference for people and communities.
The draft Strategy proposes a ten-year focus across four priorities:
· prevention and early intervention
· improved access to mental health and addiction support
· a supported and capable workforce
· improved quality and effectiveness of care.
Under each of the priorities the Strategy outlines a vision for the future and a series of long-term strategic actions that will drive the system towards that future.
The final Strategy will be backed by an implementation plan that turns strategic vision into tangible action. The implementation plan will provide detail around how the system-level shifts reflected through the strategic actions will be achieved.
Mental health and wellbeing are not only shaped by the health system, but also by the experiences of families, iwi, and communities. That is why broad input is so important. We encourage anyone with an interest in improving mental health and wellbeing to share their views.
Public consultation is open until 5pm on 18 May 2026. The process is designed to be inclusive, culturally respectful and accessible, with multiple options for engaging and translated resources available. We will also host a moderated online information session at 12-1pm on 14 May to help people understand the strategy and consultation process and answer related questions. We’ll be recording the session for those of you who can’t make it and will post it on our website later that week.
Feedback from the consultation will help shape the final Strategy and its first three-year implementation plan.
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New Action Plan to Prevent and Reduce Substance Harm
On 18 March 2026, the Ministry of Health released the Action Plan to Prevent and Reduce Substance Harm 2026-2029. The release of this plan was announced by the Minister for Mental Health at the first Addiction Leadership Day of the year held at Parliament.
The Action Plan sets out a clear and cohesive approach for the health system’s response over the next three years, with a strong focus on prevention, improving access to services, growing and supporting the workforce, and strengthening system effectiveness.
It is supported by targeted investment to expand initiatives such as Pregnancy and Parenting services and to strengthen mutual-aid and peer led services for individuals and families affected by substance-related harm.
A huge thanks to everyone who shared their time and insights to support this mahi.
Improving access to naloxone through OST providers
As part of our commitment to preventing overdose deaths, opioid substitution treatment (OST) providers can now directly distribute injectable naloxone to people without a prescription.
Naloxone is a lifesaving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Expanding access makes it easier for people, whānau and services to respond quickly in emergency situations. Currently injectable ampules are the only form of Naloxone available in New Zealand and dispensing them generally requires a prescription.
The Director General of Health has formally designated OST providers as authorised representatives under the Health (Needles and Syringes) Regulations 1998. This change enables these providers to distribute naloxone safely and legally without a prescription.
We will continue to work closely with providers to develop clear guidance to support consistent and safe distribution across the country.
Funding opportunity: Proceeds of Crime fund – Ministry seeking proposals
The next funding round for the Proceeds of Crime Fund (Ministry of Justice) opened on 30 March 2026.
The Proceeds of Crime Fund is made up of money and assets forfeited to the Crown under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009. The Fund supports short-term initiatives that help reduce violent crime and address the drivers of crime, including for example drug related harm. Funding is designed to support focused projects over two to three years, rather than ongoing services.
The Fund is administered by the Ministry of Justice. Eligible government agencies like the Ministry of Health can submit proposals for consideration on behalf of others, such as community groups, academic institutions and non-government organisations (NGOs). Proposals must clearly focus on reducing violent crime, as required by Cabinet, and meet the Ministry of Health’s internal criteria.
Applications close at 5pm on 20 May 2026.
Before applying, please note:
· proposals must clearly show how the initiative will help reduce violent crime
· funding is for time-limited initiatives only
· late or incomplete applications cannot be considered.
Further details, including eligibility criteria and key dates are available on the Ministry of Health’s website.
Child and Youth Mental Health – Youth Health and Wellbeing Survey 2025
The Ministry of Social Development has recently published results from the Youth Health and Wellbeing Survey 2025 (YHWS 2025). The Ministry of Health intends to analyse the youth mental health data from YHWS 2025 in more detail and publish findings later in 2026.
This analysis will contribute valuable information about the mental health of young people while the Ministry’s Child and Youth Mental Health Prevalence Study is being completed.
Mental Health Bill update
The Mental Health Bill remains before the House and is awaiting its second reading. The priority for progressing the Bill through Parliament is determined as part of the Government’s broader legislative programme.
The Parliamentary process ensures that all legislation is subject to public debate and scrutiny. The Bill has already gone through some important stages, including consideration by the Health Select Committee which reviewed public submissions and made recommendations.
The remaining states before the Bill can become law are:
Second reading: after a bill is reported back from the relevant select committee, the House is asked to adopt the bill in principle, along with any amendments to the bill that the select committee has proposed.
Committee of the whole House: the House goes into committee to decide whether the bill’s provisions would achieve the principles or objects that the House agreed to when the bill received its second reading, and to consider and make relevant amendments.
Third reading: the House decides whether the bill should become law and the debate sums up the bill's passage through the House.
Royal assent: a bill will receive Royal assent after it has been read a third time in order for it to become law.
For more information you can read the Bill and track its progress on the New Zealand Parliament website.
Helping the MHA sector turn information into insight: New KPI Programme website launched
The KPI Programme launched their new website on 25 February 2026, making it easier for kaimahi in mental health and addiction services to benchmark and access indicator dashboards, find resources, and sign up for online and in-person events.
The updated site providers simpler access to key indicators, clearer navigation and more support for new users.
What’s new
Access six key indicators directly from the home page.
Explore supporting resources and events, from any dashboard.
An expanded FAQ section to help new users get comfortable with the website, KPI terminology, and indicator dashboards.
What hasn’t changed The KPI Programme’s support for kaimahi working in the mental health and addiction sector to better understand the story behind the numbers.
Encouraging exploration, reflection, and the sharing of good practice through:
Benchmarking Breakouts – wānanga style, online sessions where kaimahi can connect, ask questions, and share how they are using information to improve service delivery.
Custom Connections – online or in person, one-to-one or group learning sessions to better understand data and information and how to use it to improve services.
Forums – online or in-person hui bringing the workforce together to learn from each other, share examples of improvement, and explore the indicators in safe and collaborative spaces.
If you have any questions, please connect with the KPI Programme team at info@mhakpi.health.nz
Closing
Thank you again for the work you continue to do to support people, whānau and communities across Aotearoa New Zealand. We encourage you to stay connected, and share your insights, experiences and updates with us.
Feel free to reach out to us at mhasp.engagement@health.govt.nz
Ngā mihi,
Kiri Richards
Associate Deputy Director General
Public Health Agency and Mental Health, Addiction and Suicide Prevention Group
Ministry of Health