28344 (2025). Ingrid Leary to the Minister for Mental Health

28344 (2025). Ingrid Leary to the Minister for Mental Health: What actions, if any, is the Government taking to ensure that Police’s phased reduction in attending mental health callouts does not reduce the timeliness and appropriateness of support to individuals experiencing mental health crises?

Hon Matt Doocey: I am advised that changes are being agreed upon between Health NZ, NZ Police, Wellington Free, and Hato Hone St. Johns at a national, regional, and district level to ensure safe handovers and that police continue to respond appropriately to requests for assistance. I am also advised that police will still respond when an offence is being committed or there is an immediate risk to life or safety. This includes when there is a clear safety concern for a person experiencing mental distress or others and there is the potential for serious injury or death to occur.