Today at Parliament, Minister for Mental Health Hon Matt Doocey announced the Government's Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2026-2036 (https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/2026-08/Mental-Health-Wellbeing-Strategy-2026-2036.pdf). Asian Family Services (AFS) has welcomed the strategy, describing it as a significant step forward for mental health and addiction support in Aotearoa New Zealand and a major acknowledgement of issues the organisation and Asian communities have advocated for over many years.

AFS welcomes the Minister for Mental Health's commitment that:

"Every person in New Zealand deserves timely access to quality mental health and addiction support. This strategy sets out how we will achieve that – creating a system that promotes mental health and wellbeing for all and provides mental health and addiction support and services that meet people's needs."

The organisation said the strategy reflects many of the priorities raised by Asian communities during consultation and advocacy efforts, including improved recognition of gambling harm, culturally responsive services, and the needs of New Zealand's rapidly growing Asian population.

AFS is particularly pleased to see the strategy reference findings from the 2025 New Zealand Asian Well-being and Mental Health Report, which found that 57.2% of Asian people surveyed were at risk of depression. The strategy also acknowledges that many Asian people face language and cultural barriers when accessing mental health support.

AFS Chief Executive Kelly Feng said the strategy represents an important milestone for Asian communities across Aotearoa.

"This is a proud moment for Asian communities across Aotearoa. We want to acknowledge the 28 Asian community organisations and groups that stood alongside Asian Family Services in advocating for change and supporting our submission to this strategy."

"Many of the issues we have collectively raised over the years, including mental health inequities, gambling harm, cultural barriers to accessing support, and the need for better data on Asian communities, have now been recognised in New Zealand's mental health roadmap for the next decade."

"Real change does not happen overnight. It takes persistence, evidence, relationships, and community leadership. After more than two decades of advocating alongside our communities, we are proud to see their voices reflected in this strategy and optimistic about what it will mean for future generations."

AFS also welcomed the Government's commitment to the strategy's four priorities:

• Prevention and early intervention
• Access to supports and services
• Workforce development
• Effectiveness and quality improvement

The organisation said these priorities align closely with long-standing calls for earlier support, better access to services, stronger workforce capability, and improved responses to gambling and mental health challenges experienced by diverse communities.

"This strategy demonstrates that community voices matter, and that evidence-based advocacy can create meaningful change," said Kelly Feng.

"We look forward to working with Government, health providers and communities to ensure the commitments outlined in the strategy lead to better mental health and wellbeing outcomes for Asian communities and all New Zealanders."