49783 (2024). Ingrid Leary to the Minister for Mental Health

49783 (2024). Ingrid Leary to the Minister for Mental Health: Does the Minister agree with Hine ki te Wheiao (a collective of young māmā, mātua kua whakawhānau, and clinical professionals, formed to develop and implement an action plan focussing on cross-sector aligned advocacy actions), that despite concerted efforts to improve perinatal health outcomes in New Zealand, a recently released report covering the period 2007 - 2021, has highlighted persistent challenges in reducing overall maternal mental health statistics; if so, what, if anything, will he do to address this?

Hon Matt Doocey: I am aware that there are challenges in improving maternal mental health. I am advised that Health New Zealand funded the establishment of Hine ki te Wheiao in 2023/24, and that the collective will continue to operate, pending budget and workplan approval. I am further advised that a community innovation fund supporting intergenerational wellbeing was externally evaluated in 2023/24 to understand what is required to implement social investment through relational commissioning, and how government can work in partnership with communities, including iwi and non- government organisations, to deliver community-led solutions.