Kaupapa Māori Leaders Advocate for Strengths-Based Mental Health Systems

On 16 June 2026, leading figures in the Māori mental health sector highlighted the essential role of kaupapa Māori services in addressing health inequities following a report from the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission. While the report identified that funding for these services has not kept pace with broader investments, it also showcased the resilience and proactive steps being taken by Māori-led organisations to care for their communities. Carole Koha, chief executive of Te Waka Whaiora in Porirua, has spent 35 years working in Māori mental health and addictions. She reported that despite gaps in formal contracts, her organisation is finding innovative ways to support rangatahi. Koha shared that she has utilised surplus funds to employ clinicians for youth services, filling a vital clinical gap that the current system does not yet cover. This commitment ensures that Māori youth in the community are not left without specialised care. Hine Moeke-Murray, chief executive of Te Kupenga Net Trust in Gisborne, emphasised the strength of Māori peer support and advocacy. While highlighting that many whānau currently face barriers to entry, she advocated for a shift toward more robust prevention and intervention models that empower community organisations. Moeke-Murray noted that stable funding and stronger relationships with clinical services are the keys to unlocking better outcomes for Māori. In response to the commission’s findings, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey acknowledged the inequitable outcomes and reinforced his commitment to Māori-specific actions within the Suicide Prevention Action Plan. He stated that the government would focus on ensuring all regions and groups, including Māori, meet health targets. For Māori providers, the goal remains clear: ensuring that tangata whaiora have a meaningful choice to access services that are grounded in te ao Māori and capable of providing high-level clinical care.