The 2026 New Zealand Asian Well-being & Mental Health Report, commissioned by Asian Family Services and independently conducted by Trace Research, provides an updated national picture of the well-being and mental health of Asian communities across Aotearoa New Zealand. The study surveyed 1,018 Asian adults nationwide and examined key areas, including life satisfaction, mental health, experiences of discrimination, barriers to seeking support, and access to culturally and linguistically appropriate services.

The findings suggest that the well-being of Asian communities has stabilised rather than fully recovered. While some indicators have improved slightly since 2025, 54.5% of respondents remained at risk of depression, and almost one in four (24.8%) reported experiencing discrimination, with race or ethnicity continuing to be the most common reason. The report also highlights ongoing demand for culturally responsive mental health services and persistent barriers such as limited awareness of available services, privacy concerns, financial barriers and language or cultural needs. The report provides important evidence to support the development of more equitable, accessible and culturally responsive mental health services, policies and community initiatives for New Zealand’s diverse and growing Asian population.

To explore the findings, statistics and recommendations in more detail, click the link below to read the full report.