New Mental Health Co-Response Team Launched in Tauranga to Improve Crisis Support

People experiencing mental distress in Tauranga will now have access to a dedicated mental health co-response team, a new initiative designed to ensure those in crisis receive support from mental health professionals rather than being met primarily by a criminal justice response.

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced the launch of the new service, describing it as a major step toward improving the way emergency services respond to mental health-related 111 calls. The co-response team, which began operating on 7 April, combines the expertise of Police officers and mental health professionals to provide immediate and appropriate support for people experiencing mental health crises. The service is expected to be fully operational by the end of next month.

According to Doocey, the Government is committed to transforming crisis response services to better meet the needs of vulnerable New Zealanders. “It’s utterly unacceptable that when a concerned mum, dad, friend, or colleague calls 111 looking for a mental health response, they receive a criminal justice response,” he said. “This Government is changing that because New Zealanders deserve better.”

The Minister said many people experiencing mental distress have committed no crime and should not automatically be met with a law enforcement-led response during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

Bay of Plenty Chosen for Early Rollout Due to High Demand for Mental Health Crisis Support

The Bay of Plenty region was selected as one of the first locations for the new co-response model because of the significant demand for mental health crisis services in the area.

The Tauranga-based team includes crisis clinicians, support workers or peer support workers, and a Police officer working together on every shift. The multidisciplinary approach is intended to ensure individuals receive immediate clinical assessment, emotional support, and appropriate intervention while maintaining safety where necessary. Within just one month of commencing operations, the team had already responded to 52 people experiencing mental health crises, highlighting the level of need within the community. The Government believes the initiative represents a more compassionate and effective way of responding to people in distress, ensuring they receive specialist care and support tailored to their circumstances.

Doocey said he has heard numerous accounts from people with lived experience, family members, and mental health advocates who described how the arrival of a uniformed Police officer during a mental health crisis can sometimes increase anxiety and distress. “I have heard many heartbreaking stories from advocates, those with lived experience, and families that having a uniformed Police officer turn up during times of mental health need can cause further distress,” he said. “Most of the time, these people have not done anything criminally wrong, yet a Police officer turns up at what can be the lowest point in their life.”

While acknowledging the important role Police play in communities across New Zealand, the Minister stressed that mental health crises often require specialised healthcare expertise rather than a traditional policing response. “While we know Police do an excellent job in our communities, the bottom line is they are not mental health professionals,” he said.

Government Points to Wellington Success as It Expands Mental Health Crisis Reform

The Government's decision to expand co-response teams has been informed by positive results from an earlier pilot programme in Wellington. An evaluation of the Wellington co-response model found a reduction in the use of powers under the Mental Health Act, fewer people requiring transport to emergency departments or police stations, and an increase in wraparound support services for individuals in crisis.

These outcomes suggest that integrating mental health professionals directly into emergency response teams can improve both patient experiences and longer-term support pathways.

The Government views the Tauranga initiative as part of a broader overhaul of how emergency services respond to mental health emergencies nationwide. The goal is to create a system where individuals experiencing psychological distress receive care that prioritises treatment, support, and recovery rather than criminal justice interventions.

Doocey also used the announcement to criticise previous decisions made under the former Labour Government. He noted that National had announced $8 million in funding for mental health co-response teams in 2017, but the funding was discontinued in 2018 after the change of government.

“I am disappointed that we’ve been put in a situation where we are far behind where we should be as a result of the previous Labour Government,” he said. “National announced $8 million to pilot co-response teams in 2017, but that funding was cut in 2018 under Labour.”

The Minister said the current Government is now working to address those delays and ensure that people experiencing mental distress receive the support they need when they contact emergency services. “We are fixing their short-sighted actions and taking action to ensure people are getting the response they deserve,” he said.

The launch of the Tauranga co-response team marks another step in New Zealand’s efforts to strengthen mental health services and provide more compassionate crisis care. By bringing together healthcare professionals and Police officers in a coordinated response, the Government hopes to improve outcomes for people in distress while reducing unnecessary involvement with the criminal justice system.