Mental health and addiction targets

The mental health and addiction targets support the delivery of better mental health outcomes for New Zealanders and improve the performance of our health services.


About the mental health and addiction targets

Early and timely access to mental health and addiction services for people who need it is crucial to:

  • support their recovery
  • help them to live well
  • prevent further deterioration of their mental health and overall quality of life.

The targets set clear expectations for mental health and addiction system performance and drive focus on the areas of the system that need it. Progress against the targets is published quarterly.

The targets were announced by the Government in July 2024, with a goal to achieve them by 2030.


The 5 mental health and addiction targets

Faster access to specialist mental health and addiction services

80% of people accessing specialist mental health and addiction services are seen within 3 weeks.

Faster access to specialist mental health and addiction services

80% of people accessing specialist mental health and addiction services are seen within 3 weeks.

Faster access to primary mental health and addiction services

80% of people accessing primary mental health and addiction services through the Access and Choice programme are seen within 1 week.

Faster access to primary mental health and addiction services

80% of people accessing primary mental health and addiction services through the Access and Choice programme are seen within 1 week.

Shorter mental health and addiction-related stays in emergency departments

95% of mental health and addiction related emergency department presentations are admitted, discharged, or transferred from an emergency department within 6 hours.

Shorter mental health and addiction-related stays in emergency departments

95% of mental health and addiction related emergency department presentations are admitted, discharged, or transferred from an emergency department within 6 hours.

Increased mental health and addiction workforce development

Train 500 mental health and addiction professionals each year.

Increased mental health and addiction workforce development

Train 500 mental health and addiction professionals each year.

Strengthened focus on prevention and early intervention

25% of mental health and addiction investment is allocated towards prevention and early intervention.

Strengthened focus on prevention and early intervention

25% of mental health and addiction investment is allocated towards prevention and early intervention.


How we will achieve the mental health and addiction targets

The mental health and addiction targets are ambitious and achieving them will not happen overnight. The high-level implementation plans set out how Health NZ intends to make progress towards achieving these targets by 2030, including achieving the annual milestones set out in the Government Policy Statement on Health (GPS).

Achieving the mental health and addiction targets - High level implementation plans — Health NZexternal link

Mental health and addiction target results

The results for 2025/26 Quarter 1 — July to September 2025.

How to navigate the mental health and addiction targets dashboard

Mental health and addiction targets dashboard tutorial

Send us your feedback

Use our feedback form if you have feedback on our mental health and addiction targets performance.

Health targets performance feedback