We are transforming Aotearoa’s approach to mental wellbeing so people are supported to stay well, and have access to help that works for them, when and where they need it. This takes a united effort with many people working together over time.

Kia Manawanui Aotearoa – Long-term pathway to mental wellbeing is the Government’s high-level plan for transformation over the long-term. It sets out the actions across government that will build the foundations for mental wellbeing.

Our vision is to fundamentally shift the way we support mental wellbeing, placing greater emphasis on people being supported to proactively manage their wellbeing.

As a result, New Zealanders will have better understanding of mental wellbeing, be able to support themselves and each other, and will be able to get help in the places they already visit, like schools, workplaces and sports clubs.

Change is already underway, supported by the cross-government $1.9 billion package for mental wellbeing in Budget 2019 and subsequent investment. We’ve built the foundations for transformation and have initiated long-term programmes. The health system reforms provide the opportunity to strengthen our approach to mental wellbeing.

We can’t achieve mental wellbeing for all through the health system alone. Ensuring good mental wellbeing for everyone requires all of us to act collectively to make improvements. We all have a role to play – government agencies, cross-sector delivery partners, communities, whānau and individuals.

Video transcript

New Zealanders have said clearly what needs to change in our mental health and addiction system.

The case for transformation was made in He Ara Oranga – the Report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction.

We've continued to refine our vision for the future through further consultations, including Kia Kaha, Kia Māia, Kia Ora Aotearoa and the engagement process on the Long-Term Pathway that ran earlier this year.

Kia Manawanui is founded on all this feedback.

This document sets the direction for the next stage of the transformation started in 2019 with the $1.9 billion package for mental wellbeing.

Kia Manawanui outlines the actions we will take over the short, medium, and longer term.

This is cross-government work with everyone playing their part for the mental wellbeing of all New Zealanders.

Kia Manawanui focuses on a population-based approach to mental wellbeing.

A population-based approach means improving mental wellbeing for all, while addressing inequities for specific population groups.

We've identified five focus areas: Building the social, cultural, environmental and economic foundations for mental wellbeing.

This means coordinating across the diverse areas that contribute to mental wellbeing, such as housing, employment and social development.

Equipping communities, whānau and individuals to look after their own mental wellbeing.

We're strengthening our focus on public health messaging so everyone knows about the free self-help tools and supports available.

Fostering community-led solutions.

We know that communities best understand their local conditions, so we are looking for ways to support community-led services that get results.

Expanding primary mental wellbeing support in communities.

Whether it's expanding existing services or boosting workforce numbers we are making sure there is mental wellbeing support in every community in Aotearoa.

Strengthening specialist services.

Sometimes people will need more support and when that happens there needs to be a solid system of specialist services available across the country.

Our vision means New Zealanders will be better supported than ever before to stay mentally well and get help where, when, and how they need it.

Watch the Kia Manawanui launch, 23 September 2021

Tracking progress

Kia Manawanui is a 10-year strategy and plan with actions sequenced across the short-, medium- and long-term. They are sequenced across 3 timeframes:

  • building the foundations (2021–2023)
  • expanding innovation (2023–2027)
  • embedding system-level change 2027–2031).

We will provide regular updates on progress implementing Kia Manawanui. The latest update is published here.

Companion document

He Ara Oranga: Report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction made 40 recommendations to support transforming the approach to mental wellbeing. The Kia Manawanui Companion Document identified the Government’s approach against each recommendation and outlined progress made at the time Kia Manawanui was published. Kia Manawanui takes forward the Government’s response to He Ara Oranga over the long-term.

Oranga Hinengaro System and Service Framework

The Oranga Hinengaro System and Service Framework sets the direction for the mental health and addiction system and services over the next 10 years.

It identifies the core components of a contemporary mental health and addiction system, providing guidance for those responsible for publicly funded health system policy, design, service commissioning, and delivery.

It sets out:

  • core principles identified by Māori and people with lived experience that should underpin the system and services
  • critical shifts required to move towards a future system that supports pae ora (healthy futures)
  • the types of services that should be accessible and available to individuals, whānau and communities.

It is not intended to determine how services are delivered at a regional or local level and does not provide detailed descriptions of services, as this will need to be informed by local communities’ needs and aspirations.

Developing an Oranga Hinengaro System and Service Framework was one of the key actions of Kia Manawanui Aotearoa – long term pathway to mental wellbeing. This framework is the next step towards the vision set out in Kia Manawanui of an equitable and thriving Aotearoa where people are supported to stay well, and they can get the support they need, when and where they need it.