The Inquiry panel today formally handed over to the Minister of Health Hon Dr David Clark, He Ara Oranga: Report of the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction Inquiry.

Today’s handover marks 10 months since establishment of the Inquiry. The panel members were Professor Ron Paterson (Chair), Sir Mason Durie, Dr Barbara Disley, Dean Rangihuna, Dr Jemaima Tiatia-Seath and Josiah Tualamali’i.

“Our consultation was launched in April in Palmerston North and led to over 5,200 submissions. For several months, the panel travelled around New Zealand meeting with and listening to people at 26 public forums from Kaitaia to Invercargill and at hundreds of meetings hearing from people with lived experience, whānau, service providers and community groups. We heard from all the population groups identified in our terms of reference including tangata whenua and Pacific peoples.

The voices of the people gave us a clear sense of what’s working and what’s not working in mental health and addiction in Aotearoa, and how to improve wellbeing in our communities,” says Ron Paterson.

“It has been an honour and privilege to undertake this Inquiry. We recognise it as a ‘once in a generation’ opportunity. We are grateful to all the people who shared their experiences and wisdom with us, in meetings and submissions.

We are confident our report reflects the voices we’ve heard and sets a clear direction for the future – pathways to wellness – that government, the sector and communities can pick up and implement,” says Ron Paterson.

He Ara Oranga is now in the hands of the Government, which will release it publicly after a period of deliberation. It will be made available on our website https://www.mentalhealth.inquiry.govt.nz/ in various formats.

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