Tū Te Akaaka Roa, the New Zealand National Office of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP), has welcomed the passage of the Mental Health Bill, and calls on the Government to ensure its passage is matched with the necessary investment in workforce and sensible implementation guidelines.

Psychiatrists say the Bill represents a significant shift towards a more person-centred approach to mental health care and supported decision-making in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Dr Alison Masters, Deputy Chair, Tū Te Akaaka Roa NZ National Office said the legislation established an important foundation for a more modern mental health system.

"The passage of the Mental Health Bill is a significant milestone for Aotearoa New Zealand. We welcome a legislative framework that places greater emphasis on the rights, dignity and autonomy of tāngata whai ora, while recognising the important role of whānau in supporting wellbeing and recovery,” Dr Masters said.

Tū Te Akaaka Roa said legislative reform must be matched by sensible implementation guidelines and sustained investment in workforce growth, frontline services and system capacity to ensure the new framework can be implemented safely, effectively and consistently across the country.

"Realising the benefits of this reform will require sustained investment in the mental health workforce, including ensuring we have enough well-trained staff to support tāngata whai ora and whānau through these changes,” Dr Masters said.

"As we outlined in our election platform, workforce growth is the backbone of reform. No mental health system can improve access to care without sustained investment in psychiatrists, nurses, psychologists and other mental health professionals who deliver care every day." 

Tū Te Akaaka Roa's 2026 election platform calls for investment in psychiatry training and recruitment, rural psychiatry, Māori and Pasifika workforce development, and growth across the wider mental health and addiction workforce to address longstanding shortages and improve access to care. 

While welcoming the passage of the Bill, Tū Te Akaaka Roa said it remained concerned about aspects of the legislation and the practical implications for some vulnerable groups, including the exclusion of people experiencing impaired mental states arising from conditions such as dementia, delirium and encephalitis, and whether the proposed timeframes for initial assessments will allow sufficient time to undertake comprehensive assessments, support decision-making processes and engage appropriately with whānau and support networks.

"Investment will also be needed in the physical and digital infrastructure that supports supported decision-making processes, alongside clear educational resources for tāngata whai ora, whānau and health professionals," Dr Masters said.

"Strengthening Hauora Māori services will be critical to ensuring care is culturally responsive, equitable and capable of delivering better outcomes for Māori."

Tū Te Akaaka Roa will continue to work with Government and stakeholders to ensure the legislation can be implemented safely, consistently and in a way that protects vulnerable people.

For media inquiries, please contact: Dishi Gahlowt on +61 437 315 911 or email media@ranzcp.org

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists is a membership organisation that prepares medical specialists in the field of psychiatry, supports and enhances clinical practice, advocates for people affected by mental illness and advises governments and other groups on mental health care. For information about our work, our members or our history, visit www.ranzcp.org.

In Australia: If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or www.lifeline.org.au or the Suicide Callback Service on 1300 659 467 or www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au.

In New Zealand: If you or someone you know needs help, contact Lifeline NZ on 0800 543 354 or www.lifeline.org.nz or the Suicide Crisis Helpline on 0508 828 865 or www.lifeline.org.nz/suicide-prevention.