Message from Kiri Richards: Associate Deputy Director-General, Mental Health, Addiction and Suicide Prevention

Kia ora koutou

As we approach the end of the year, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the significant work happening across the country to support the mental health and wellbeing of our communities. This time of year can bring both opportunities for rest and connection, and additional challenges for some people, whānau and communities.

Our role at the Ministry of Health supports and strengthens the work happening across the health system. The advice we provide and the frameworks we develop are focused on creating the conditions for wellbeing, including timely access to high-quality care, so that people and whānau can access services that work for them, when and where they need them.

I thought it was timely to provide a bit of an overview of some of our key projects for the year – many of which would not be possible without your insights, experience, and work to bring them to life.

Whether you are working directly with people and whānau, driving change in your community, being there for people you care about, or bringing lived experience and expertise to improve how the system works, your contribution is central to turning shared intent into meaningful change. Thank you.

Looking ahead to next year there are several key opportunities to be involved. We are currently seeking registrations for people who want to take part in the Global Leadership Exchange (GLE) in Canada in June. We will also be seeking feedback on the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy early in the new year.

I hope you are able to find time for rest, reflection and connection over the holiday period, and we look forward to continuing this work together in the year ahead.

Ngā mihi

Kiri Richards

Associate Deputy Director-General

Mental Health, Addiction and Suicide Prevention

Public Health Agency 

2025 highlights and key updates 

Below is a snapshot of key areas of progress across our mental health, addiction and suicide prevention work programme this year. 

National Day of Reflection, Survivors of State Care  

One year on from the government’s formal apology, November 12 marked the National Day of Reflection for Survivors of Abuse in State Care. It was an opportunity for us to collectively acknowledge the experiences of people who suffered harm in State care and to reflect on the work needed to prevent it from happening again.

While having a National Day to reflect is important, we’re mindful that reflection needs to be ongoing, and the commitment to people’s safety and wellbeing, and accountability, must be evidenced every day. As a team, we’re committed to contributing through work that strengthens safeguards, supports survivor led initiatives and promotes a system that is safe, responsive and centred on the needs of people and whānau. 

Mental Health Bill 

This year the Bill has continued to progress through key stages, including consideration by the Health Select Committee who reported back to Parliament in April. After hearing from over 348 individuals and groups via written submissions, and 89 submitters in person, the Health Committee recommended changes to improve clarity, strengthen safeguards and reduce stigma associated with compulsory mental health care.

The Bill still needs to progress through the remaining Parliamentary stages before it becomes law. The next step is for the Bill to have its second reading in Parliament.

The timing for the Bill to move through these stages is managed alongside other legislative priorities of the Government. We will continue to provide updates on major milestones as the Bill progresses.

• You can read the Bill as reported back by the Health Committee on the legislation website, this includes the commentary by the Health Committee.

You can read the advice the Ministry provided to the Health Committee, all submissions, and track the progress of the Bill through the remaining stages on the Parliament website.

Child and Youth Mental Health Prevalence Study 

This year we progressed the Child and Youth Mental Health Prevalence Study, an important piece of work to strengthen the evidence base on the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in New Zealand.

This work is being shaped by an advisory group of young people to ensure it is accessible, relevant and grounded in young people’s experiences. National Research Bureau (NRB), a New Zealand-based research company specialising in conducting national surveys, will collect the data through interviews with members of the public. The Universities of Otago and Auckland are designing the study and questionnaire and providing mental health support to participants.

The study will provide nationally representative data on the prevalence of mental health conditions, helping to inform policy, service planning and investment decisions over time. Its findings will support a stronger focus on prevention and early intervention by improving our understanding of what children and young people are experiencing, and where inequities persist.

Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2025-2029 

We launched the Suicide Prevention Action Plan 2025–2029 in June, building on extensive engagement with communities, people with lived experience, whānau, and the suicide prevention sector at the end of last year.

Considering that feedback, this year’s work has focused on refining priorities, testing assumptions, and ensuring the plan reflects what we know works — including strengthening protective factors, improving responses in times of distress, and supporting coordinated action across government and communities.

The Action Plan is intended to provide clear direction while allowing flexibility for local leadership and innovation. Its implementation is supported by existing Vote Health suicide prevention investment of $20 million per year, plus additional allocation of more than $16 million per year from 2025/26 to improve access to mental health and suicide prevention supports.

Refreshed Eating Issues and Eating Disorders Strategy 

This year we refreshed the national strategy for eating disorders (Future Directions for Eating Disorders Services, 2008) with a focus on strengthening foundations for more consistent, equitable and evidence-informed responses across the system.

A key shift in the revised strategy is a broader focus that includes disordered eating and eating related difficulties alongside diagnosable eating disorders. This recognises the diverse ways eating difficulties can present across different ages and communities and supports a stronger emphasis on early identification and intervention.

This work was made possible by insights from people with lived experience, cultural expertise, clinicians, and other sector partners to test the evidence base, challenge assumptions, and clarify priority areas for action. The revised strategy is intended to support improved access, earlier intervention, and more coordinated care for people experiencing eating issues and their whānau.

The strategy is supported by increased investment of over $4 million each year to roll out peer support to all regional eating disorders services; create sustainable, community-based support for families, whānau and carers; increase the capacity of specialist eating disorders services; and expand prevention and early intervention support.

New Zealand Eating Issues and Eating Disorders Strategy | Ministry of Health NZ 

Strategy to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm 2025/26 to 2027/28  

The latest Strategy to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm came into effect on 1 July this year, focusing on prevention, harm reduction, and improving outcomes for people, whānau and communities affected by gambling harm.

This work has drawn on evidence, community insight and lived experience to strengthen the focus on equity, population-level prevention, and effective supports for those most impacted. The strategy aims to support a more proactive and system-wide approach to reducing gambling harm over time.

We’ve also just published research reports as part of the gambling harm research programme under the previous Strategy (2022/23 – 2024/25). Produced by independent researchers, these reports provide valuable evidence to guide policy development, treatment approaches, and harm reduction initiatives. 

Responding to methamphetamine harm

As part of the Government’s action plan to combat methamphetamine harm, we worked alongside other government agencies to strengthen how the health system supports affected people, whānau and communities.  

The response allocates $30 million over four years to increase the mental health and addiction services available to communities hardest hit by meth. This includes expansion of the successful secondary school-based programme Tūturu to help young people build skills and resilience, enhanced early intervention and peer support services in communities, a boost for intensive treatment services, and workforce development.

There is also new funding for a hard-hitting nationwide media campaign to deliver a consistent message, raise public awareness about meth-related harm and encourage people to seek help, as well as funding from the Alcohol Levy to increase Screening and Brief Intervention and Referral for Treatment services to support earlier intervention. Together, these efforts aim to reduce harm, support recovery and help people get the right support at the right time.

Looking ahead to 2026 

As we move into the new year, there are several key opportunities to stay involved and engaged

Public consultation on the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy  

Early in 2026, we will be seeking feedback on the Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy. A requirement under the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act, the Strategy will guide the long-term improvement of New Zealanders’ mental health and wellbeing outcomes.  

This will be an opportunity for you to help shape the direction, priorities and implementation of the Strategy. We’re committed to making sure it reflects the voices and needs of New Zealanders and will be providing lots of options for you to share your thoughts.

Further information on timing and opportunities to have your say will be shared in the new year.

Global Leadership Exchange – Canada   

In 2026 New Zealand will participate in the Global Leadership Exchange (GLE) which will be held in Canada from 1-5 June. Centring on the theme ‘Ideas to Action: Inspiring Leaders to Mobilize Collective Solutions,’ this will be an opportunity to connect with international leaders, share learning and bring global perspectives back to strengthen local practice and improve outcomes for New Zealanders. You can find out more about this opportunity here.  

New Zealand has been allocated a limited number of attendees. The Ministry of Health and Health New Zealand are running a process to confirm New Zealand participants, with a focus on diverse leadership, lived experience and representation across the sector. 

We are currently inviting those who want to represent New Zealand at the Exchange to register their interest. You’ll need to be a GLE member (you can become one here), be able to fund your own attendance and be committed to sharing what you learned when you get back. Registrations close on 23 January, and we’ll confirm attendees in the week of 5 February.

Ministry of Health - Manatū Hauora🏠133 Molesworth Street, Thorndon✉ info@health.govt.nzℹ health.govt.nz