(1)
The functions of the Commission are—
to assess and report publicly on the mental health and wellbeing of people in New Zealand; and
to assess and report publicly on factors that affect people’s mental health and wellbeing; and
to assess and report publicly on the effectiveness, efficiency, and adequacy of approaches to mental health and wellbeing (including mental health services and addiction services); and
to make recommendations to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, and adequacy of approaches to mental health and wellbeing; and
to monitor mental health services and addiction services and to advocate improvements to those services; and
to promote alignment, collaboration, and communication between entities involved in mental health and wellbeing; and
to advocate for the collective interests of people who experience mental distress or addiction (or both), and the persons (including family and whānau) who support them.
(2)
When performing its functions under this Act, the Commission must have particular regard to the experience of, and outcomes for, Māori.
(3)
The Commission must also have regard to—
available evidence; and
the cultural, economic, educational, spiritual, societal, environmental, and other factors that affect people’s mental health and wellbeing; and
actions undertaken that (or that could be undertaken to)—
promote positive mental health and wellbeing:
build resilience and prevent poor mental health and wellbeing:
identify and respond to people experiencing poor mental health and wellbeing, and the persons (including family and whānau) who support them.
(4)
Except as expressly provided otherwise in this or another Act, the Commission must act independently in performing its statutory functions and duties, and exercising its statutory powers, under—
this Act; and
any other Act that expressly provides for the functions, duties, or powers of the Commission (other than the Crown Entities Act 2004).