People in mental distress who call 111 in Nelson Marlborough will soon be met by both police and a trained mental health clinician, as part of a new co-response model designed to replace a one-size-fits-all approach with specialised care.
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey today announced six new locations for the teams, including Nelson Marlborough, as part of a nationwide expansion aimed at improving crisis responses.
“We’re transforming the way emergency services respond to people in mental distress by ensuring more New Zealanders receive a mental health response, rather than a criminal justice response when they call 111,” he says.
“It is utterly unacceptable that for too long, when a concerned mum, dad, friend or colleague calls 111 looking for a mental health response, they have received a criminal justice response. This Government is changing that because New Zealanders deserve better.”
The new teams will be rolled out over the next three years across Northland, Lakes, Hawke’s Bay, MidCentral, Whanganui and Nelson Marlborough health districts.
Co-response teams pair specialist mental health clinicians with frontline police to respond jointly to mental health-related 111 calls, shifting toward a more coordinated, multi-agency approach.
Health New Zealand director – specialist mental health and addictions Karla Bergquist says the model ensures people get appropriate support early.
“Having mental health specialists involved from the outset means people can be assessed earlier and connected with the care and support that is most appropriate for them.
“That may involve connecting them with community mental health services, arranging follow-up support, or providing more immediate crisis support.”
Evidence from existing teams shows reduced use of the Mental Health Act and fewer people needing to go to emergency departments or police stations, Karla says.
The expansion builds on four new teams announced earlier this year in Auckland, Counties Manukau, Bay of Plenty and Canterbury, alongside five existing teams nationwide.
Budget 2025 allocated $10 million over four years for the expansion, part of a wider $28 million package to strengthen responses to mental distress-related 111 calls.
Assistant commissioner Tusha Penny says police attend thousands of mental health-related events each year, many non-criminal.
“Working alongside mental health clinicians strengthens our response by bringing together clinical expertise and police’s public safety role.
“This partnership helps us provide earlier specialised support for people experiencing mental distress, while delivering safer outcomes for individuals, their whānau and the wider community.”
Police will continue to play a critical role where there is an immediate threat to life or safety, or where legal powers are required, Tusha says.
West Coast–Tasman MP Maureen Pugh says the rollout is “wonderful news” for the Nelson Tasman region.
“I congratulate both Police and Health NZ teams for their professional, collaborative approach to be able to offer tailored local responses to mental health situations. In the mental health space, this really is fixing the basics.”
