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Mental Health Minister tells struggling Lifeline to 'talk to Health NZ' about funding

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Fri, 7 Nov 2025, 1:12pm
Photo / File
Photo / File

Mental Health Minister tells struggling Lifeline to 'talk to Health NZ' about funding

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Fri, 7 Nov 2025, 1:12pm

A reminder mental health crises don't follow timetables. 

Long-time support service Lifeline will now go unanswered between midnight and 7am. 

It's asking the Government for help after reducing hours because it has a $2 million annual shortfall. 

Labour's Reuben Davidson told John MacDonald help's needed at all hours and mental health crises don't work office hours. 

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says support is available elsewhere, with other helplines. 

He told MacDonald that they set an extra $9 million aside for telehealth lines in the 2025 Budget, but it’s up to Health NZ to make the decisions on who to fund.  

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