Workforce gains deliver improved access times to primary and specialist services
New Zealand's mental health and addiction workforce has grown by more than 11% over the past two years, according to new government data, in the wake of mental health challenges in workplaces.
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey recently revealed the country's progress in expanding its frontline mental health and addiction workforce between September 2023 and September 2025.
"Since coming into Government, Health New Zealand has seen an increase of more than 11% of full-time equivalent mental health and addiction workers," Doocey said.
"The growth in the workforce has led to a reduction in vacancy rates, with some professions experiencing a 50% decrease."
According to the minister, more than 400 full-time mental health nurses and nearly 90 full-time social workers have been employed with Health New Zealand.
The government also funded 74 clinical psychology interns, exceeding its 2025 target of 50. Uptake in psychiatry training also increased to 48 junior doctors, up from 33 in 2023.
"Behind every one of those new psychologists, nurses, social workers and psychiatrists are hundreds of people who are often at the lowest point of their lives, now able to be seen, heard, and supported faster," Doocey said.
Workforce gains deliver better access
The workforce gains are also delivering improvements in New Zealand, with 83% of people accessing primary support within a week and more than 82% accessing specialist services within three weeks.
"This is exactly the clear direction the sector has been asking for, and we're committed to continuing this momentum in 2026 and further growing the frontline," Doocey said.
"We're focused on fixing the basics and building the future so when someone takes the brave step of reaching out for help, that support is there."
The increase in New Zealand's frontline mental health workforce comes as burnout continues to plague workers.
Findings from the 2025 TELUS Health Barometer revealed that 63% of employees in New Zealand feel somewhat or extremely burnt out.
More than a third of workers (37%) also remain at high mental health risk, with employees facing issues such as stress (41%), anxiety (37%), and isolation (34%).
