- Hon Matt Doocey
A significant investment in the Government’s mental health plan will deliver faster access to support, more frontline workers and a better crisis response, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced today.
“Budget 2026 will deliver faster access to maternal mental health support, more frontline psychology roles, and a better crisis response by opening up more beds,” Mr Doocey says.
More than $100 million will be invested over four years in additional funding for the following mental health services:
- $20.18 million for maternal mental health
- $28.45 million for psychology assistant roles
- $51.72 million for new inpatient beds
“One of the most important periods in a child’s life is the first 2,000 days. By providing support to families early, we can help build a stronger future for our children.
“That’s why we are making a significant investment in maternal mental health. This funding will support specialist maternal mental health and addiction services, while also growing the frontline workforce.
“We know that connection can be a powerful form of support. That’s why this investment includes funding for new peer support workers, enabling mothers to connect with people who have lived experience and understand what they are going through.
“The funding will also expand the frontline workforce through new regional Supporting Parents, Healthy Children workers and additional specialist frontline roles.
“Government doesn’t always know best. Communities often know what works for them and simply need the opportunity to put those solutions into action. That’s why we are establishing a $1 million per annum fund that NGOs can access to help increase support in their communities.
“Losing a child is an unimaginable grief. The perinatal bereavement pathway, recently released with input from people with lived experience, will help ensure families are better supported during this difficult time. This investment will support implementation of the new pathway.
“The new psychology assistant pathway is a great example of the Government growing the frontline workforce. Each year, hundreds of psychology graduates miss out on limited clinical training places and are lost to the workforce. Not only are we doubling the number of clinical psychologists trained but we have also created a new registration pathway so these graduates can remain focused on mental health and help support New Zealanders who need it.
“This is the very first-time psychology assistant roles have been employed in Health New Zealand. This funding will employ up to 50 new psychology assistants each year, a total of 150 over four years alongside supervision and training support.
“I was disappointed to hear reports of people being left waiting because of a shortage of available beds. No one should be stuck waiting in a busy emergency department simply because there is no funded bed available, even when physical capacity exists within a nearby mental health inpatient unit.
“We have listened and will fund the opening of 20 additional inpatient beds. Priority will be given to regions that are under the most pressure and have the highest ongoing occupancy rates.”
Notes to editor:
Budget 2026 provided a funding uplift of $1.37 billion per annum from 2026/27 to Health NZ for frontline services, which supports maintaining and expanding access to mental Health and addiction services, including these initiatives
