Dear Harwood

Thank you for your Official Information Act 1982 (the Act) request, received on 22 February 2026, in which you requested the following information:

Based on your public statement of "Mental health nurse vacancies have halved since coming into Government, falling from almost 15% in 2023 to just over 7%"

Please provide the following information:

1. What were the total number of mental health nurses immediately before you took office?

2. What were the total number of mental health nurse vacancies immediately before you took office?

3. What are the current total (February 2026) number of mental health nurses now?

4. What are the total (February 2026) number of mental health nurse vacancies now?

5. Has the minister received any communication in the past 12 months from organisations regarding funding? if so please provide copies of this..

Your request will be answered by 20 March 2026, within the provisions of the Official Information Act.

Kind regards
 

Office of Hon Matt Doocey
Minister for Mental Health
Associate Minister of Health

DDI: 04 817 6812
Email: [Matt Doocey request email]   Website: www.Beehive.govt.nz
Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand

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-----Original Message-----
From: Harwood Wilson <[FOI #33806 email]>
Sent: Sunday, 22 February 2026 10:53 pm
To: Matthew Doocey (MIN) <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - Mental Heath Vacancies

Dear Matt Doocey,

Based on your public statement of "Mental health nurse vacancies have halved since coming into Government, falling from almost 15% in 2023 to just over 7%"

Please provide the following information:

1. What were the total number of mental health nurses immediately before you took office?

2. What were the total number of mental health nurse vacancies immediately before you took office?

3. What are the current total (February 2026) number of mental health nurses now?

4. What are the total (February 2026) number of mental health nurse vacancies now?

5. Has the minister received any communication in the past 12 months from organisations regarding funding? if so please provide copies of this.

Yours faithfully,

Harwood Wilson

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