The 2025 New Zealand Asian Well-being and Mental Health Survey reveals a deepening mental health crisis among Asian communities, driven by structural barriers, discrimination, and declining life satisfaction. Commissioned by Asian Family Services (AFS) and conducted by Trace Research, this is the largest national survey focused on the mental health of Asian New Zealanders since the COVID-19 pandemic.

The research highlights that over half (57.2%) of Asians in New Zealand are at risk of depression, with young adults, women, Koreans, and Indians disproportionately affected. Life satisfaction has dropped by over 11% since 2021, and only 56.5% of respondents feel a sense of belonging in their community. Alarmingly, nearly half of Asian parents report school bullying of their children, with low confidence in schools’ ability to respond.

Discrimination remains a major issue, with 80% of those who experienced unfair treatment citing race or ethnicity as the reason. Meanwhile, access to mental health services remains limited due to stigma, language barriers, and lack of culturally appropriate support.

This research provides essential evidence to shape targeted interventions and inclusive policies. It strengthens the call for culturally responsive mental health services, anti-bullying initiatives, and systemic strategies to combat racism and exclusion.

AFS remains committed to advocating for equity, understanding, and wellbeing for all Asian communities in Aotearoa. This report is a call to action for policy-makers, service providers, and community leaders to work together toward a more inclusive future.