Govt Marks Progress on Mental Health Plan With Larger Workforce, Faster Care

Doocey says the Government’s investment in training and clinical pathways is already delivering measurable results.

One year after launching New Zealand’s first Mental Health and Addiction Workforce Plan, the Government says clear progress is being made toward reducing wait times and growing the frontline workforce. Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey says the results demonstrate decisive action to address one of the most persistent barriers to timely mental health support: workforce shortages.

A Year of Growth in the Frontline Workforce

Doocey says the Government made it a priority from day one to expand the mental health and addiction workforce, after years of rising demand and chronic staff shortages.

“Over the past year, the frontline Health NZ workforce has grown by around 10 per cent,” he said. “Vacancy rates are falling, wait times are improving, and we are seeing strong growth across key areas of mental health and addiction care.”

Key achievements over the past 12 months include:

• 349 new frontline workers beginning training in clinical mental health and addiction professions during semester one

• Expansion of peer support roles into crisis services, emergency departments and eating disorder programmes

• Approval of a new psychology assistant role, with training scheduled to start in 2026

• Universities increasing clinical training places for mental health programmes

These gains reflect the Government’s effort to expand both the pipeline of new workers and the skill mix across mental health services.

Boosting Clinical Psychologists and Psychiatrists Through Budget 2025

Doocey says the Government’s investment in training and clinical pathways is already delivering measurable results.

Budget 2025 included expanded funding for:

• Clinical psychology internships, doubling placement numbers

• Stage one psychiatry registrar positions, supporting new trainee psychiatrists

The Government originally set a goal of 60 new clinical psychology interns in 2025. That target has now been exceeded, with 74 interns employed—the highest number New Zealand has ever trained in a single year.

Psychiatry training numbers have also increased substantially. Stage one psychiatry registrar places will grow from 33 in 2024 to 54 in 2026, strengthening long-term workforce capacity in one of New Zealand’s most specialised and in-demand professions.

Strengthening the Addiction Workforce

The updated workforce plan was released at the Addiction Leadership Day, reflecting a strong emphasis on addiction treatment and recovery services.

Two weeks earlier, the Government announced a comprehensive plan to tackle methamphetamine harm, including:

• $30 million in new funding to expand addiction services

• $6 million specifically to grow the addiction workforce

• Additional investment in treatment accessibility and crisis pathways

Doocey says the addiction workforce must grow rapidly to meet the harm caused by meth and other substances, particularly in regional communities where shortages have been acute.

Updating the Plan: A New Phase of Action

Health NZ’s release of the updated Mental Health and Addiction Workforce Plan marks the transition from building early momentum to addressing new and emerging pressures.

The updated plan continues to focus on:

• Faster access to mental health and addiction support

• More frontline workers to reduce caseloads and waitlists

• A stronger and more responsive crisis system, including after-hours support and integrated services

• Expanding roles for peer support and new workforce models

• Strengthening recruitment pipelines and improving training pathways

Doocey says the update acknowledges early gains but also reflects the reality that workforce challenges remain significant and require continued investment and coordination.

Ensuring Support Is There When People Ask for Help

The Minister emphasised that no New Zealander should face delays when they reach out for mental health or addiction support.

“When someone takes the brave step of reaching out for help, workforce should never be a barrier,” he said. “Whether it’s you, your child, a friend or a family member, we’re committed to making sure support is there.”

The Government says further updates on mental health service capacity and workforce initiatives will be released in 2026, alongside ongoing reporting from Health NZ.