Budget must prioritise child mental health after abysmal New Zealand OECD ranking

20 May 2025

NZ Doctor

The findings of UNICEF’s Report Card 19 paint a devastating picture of a country failing its youngest, the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC) says.

Titled Fragile Gains – Child Wellbeing at Risk in an Unpredictable World, it ranks New Zealand last out of 36 OECD and EU countries for child and youth mental health.

NZAC President Sarah Maindonald says this isn’t a first; Unicef’s Report Card 16 also ranked New Zealand’s youth suicide rate as the second worst in the world.

Read more

 

Other stories

Key issues

HEALTH SERVICES AND SYSTEMS

Covering developments in the provision, funding and organisation of health care services.

EQUITY

Exploring the impacts of the health system on minorities within the population, notably including Māori, Pacifica, Asians and LGBTQI.

DRUGS, DEVICE AND DIAGNOSTICS

Covering prescription medicines and medical devices.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Focusing on efforts to promote health and prevent disease through social and economic interventions.

DIGITAL HEALTH

Exploring the potential digital transformation to provide a more connected and accessible health system.

TE TIRITI

Monitoring how the health reforms and the performance of the health sector uphold Te Tiriti obligations.