Latest data shows the Government has exceeded its frontline mental health and addiction workforce target, with 514 new mental health professionals trained over the past year
Mental Health Minister, Matt Doocey said the Government’s mental health plan is delivering faster access to support, more frontline workers, and a better crisis response.
“This latest data clearly shows we have turned the corner on reducing wait times and growing the mental health workforce,” Mr Doocey says.
“One of the biggest barriers to timely support has been workforce shortages. That’s why I have prioritised growing the frontline Health NZ mental health and addiction workforce, which has increased by more than 11% since we came into office.”
The completion of training fori 514 new mental health and addiction professionals in the past year exceeds the Government’s target of 500. The result includes specialist frontline workers such as occupational therapists, social workers, registered nurses, clinical psychology interns, and Stage 1 psychiatry trainees.
“We have grown both the clinical psychology and psychiatry workforce. We funded 74 clinical psychology interns, exceeding the 2025 target of 60,” said Mr Doocey.
“We are also seeing record uptake in psychiatry training, with 48 junior doctors entering Stage 1 training last year, up from 33 in 2024.
“Prevention and early intervention are key priorities for this Government. That’s why we set a target for 25% of mental health and addiction funding to be invested in prevention and early intervention.
“For the first time, that target has been met, with 25% of ring-fenced mental health and addiction funding going toward prevention and early intervention.
“Early intervention makes a real difference. By identifying needs early and providing the right support, we can help prevent issues from escalating.”
Nationally, 83% of people are being seen within one week for primary mental health support, and nearly 82% are seen within three weeks for specialist support, both exceeding the target of 80%, the Minister said.
“A recent report from the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission backs that wait times have decreased due to there being more specialist mental health workers compared to March 2023.”
“These results show that mental health outcomes have improved and continue to improve under this Government,” he said.
The latest mental health and addiction target factsheets for quarter two 2025/26 can be found here.
