Psychiatrists say the New Zealand Government has taken positive steps toward growing the availability of specialist mental health care for New Zealanders.

Psychiatrists have welcomed the Aotearoa New Zealand Government's commitment to funding four new psychiatry training places, bringing the total to 54 places annually–a significant step toward addressing the country's chronic mental health workforce shortages.

The announcement, made as part of Budget 2025 by Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey, builds on the 50 training places announced last year as part of their health workforce plan and delivers on ongoing productive conversations between the College and Minister about psychiatry workforce shortages.

Dr Hiran Thabrew, Chair of Tū Te Akaaka Roa, the New Zealand National Office of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, said the Government had demonstrated a genuine commitment to listening to those working at the coalface of the mental health system.

"We're encouraged to see the Government taking concrete action to grow our psychiatry workforce. These 54 annual training places give us a solid foundation for building the specialist mental health capacity Aotearoa New Zealand desperately needs," Dr Thabrew said.

"We also appreciate the Government's continued support for our Psychiatry Interest Forum (PIF) Program, which plays a vital role in encouraging medical students and doctors to specialise in psychiatry and join our Fellowship program. 

“This year, three in five PIF participants in Aotearoa New Zealand have transitioned to RANZCP Fellowship, which speaks to the program's success and contribution to building our future workforce.

"At the end of the day, this is about ensuring New Zealanders can access the specialist mental health care they deserve, when and where they need it most.”

Tū Te Akaaka Roa is also pleased to see targeted support for people at greatest risk of missing out on specialist care, like the recent $4.9 million investment in maternal mental health services in Waikato, Hawke's Bay, Mid Central, and Wellington. 

Dr Thabrew noted that while training more psychiatrists is essential, the College is working closely with Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand to build a sustainable psychiatry workforce pipeline.

"Training new specialists is only part of the solution. We also need to retain the excellent psychiatrists already working in our system. We continue to raise these important retention concerns with Minister Doocey and appreciate his willingness to listen and work with us on these challenges,” Dr Thabrew said.

"Our Directors of Training have been instrumental in ensuring our conversations with Government are grounded in the realities of clinical practice and the needs of our trainees. They've also played an invaluable role in supporting our registrars in their placements across health services nationwide."

The College acknowledged that significant work remains to be done to meet Aotearoa New Zealand's mental health workforce needs.

"While we celebrate these positive steps, we recognise there's much more work ahead. We're committed to working collaboratively with Minister Doocey and Te Whatu Ora to ensure New Zealanders living with mental ill-health can access the specialist care they need from a psychiatrist to get well, stay well and live well," Dr Thabrew said.

ENQUIRIES: For more information, or to arrange an interview call 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.

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.