At last year’s 2025’s Hauora hinengaro: He ara tūroa event, we focused on what a good crisis response system could look like for Aotearoa New Zealand. The afternoon participatory session asked attendees ‘So what? Now what?’ and generated collective aspirations to drive action. In the last session of the event, aspirations and ideas shared throughout the day were discussed with a panel of leaders across the mental health and addiction sector, not only to respond, but to carry them forward.

In this session, we reconvene with some leaders in the mental health and addiction sector to explore what’s changed, what still needs to be improved, and how carrying the ideas and aspirations forward from the 2025 event has made an impact.

THE PRINCIPLES OF AATA in crisis:

Aata Whakarongo
Aata Titiro
Aata Noho
Aata Whakaaro
Aata Korero

What is Crisis, who determines Crisis, who measures Crisis, who sees Crisis, who feels Crisis, Who sits with Crisis...........We do.

What does it look like to respond to people in crisis through relationship, community and belonging?

At Wellington City Mission, our approach starts with creating places where people are welcomed, listened to and able to access support in ways that work for them. At Whakamaru, this means bringing together practical support, community connection, housing, food, peer support and mental health responses within one environment, with support available beyond traditional service hours.

This presentation will explore Wellington City Mission’s evolving approach to supporting people experiencing crisis and distress, including Kua Mākona i Whakamaru, our peer-led crisis recovery café, as one example of how this approach is put into practice. It will consider the importance of accessible after-hours responses and the value of being able to respond to what a person needs in the moment, rather than requiring them to fit within a particular service pathway.

Drawing on evaluation findings and the voices of people who have accessed support, the presentation will share what we are learning about the role of relationships, listening, practical support, community and belonging in creating responses that people experience as safe, welcoming and genuinely helpful.

This presentation will explore the Urgent Mental Health Care Centre (UMHCC) in Adelaide, a community-based alternative to emergency departments for people experiencing mental distress and suicidal crisis. Developed and operated by Neami National in partnership with Recovery Innovations International and SA Health, the presentation will draw on five years of experience to examine the service’s distinctive philosophy of care, integrated clinical and lived experience model and approach, impact and key learnings. It will conclude with lessons for service design and system reform, considering how emerging crisis alternatives across Australia and international collaboration through the Crisis Now movement can help shape the future of crisis care.

Neami National is a leading Australian mental health organisation, creating opportunities for wellbeing, recovery and citizenship through innovative, community-based alternatives and mental health services developed alongside people and communities. Neami is a recognised leader in the design and delivery of community-based alternatives to emergency department for mental health distress and crisis.