Smaller mental health organisations will now have greater access to government support following a change to the Mental Health Innovation Fund, announced by Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey.

Speaking at the Platform Trust Members Day, Doocey confirmed that the minimum threshold for match funding applications has been lowered from $250,000 to $100,000.

He said the move was made in direct response to feedback from the sector.

“This fund was created in consultation with NGOs, so it’s only right that we continue to listen and adapt. By lowering the limit, we’re allowing more grassroots organisations to apply—and ultimately, that means more New Zealanders will benefit from timely mental health care,” he said.

The $10 million fund, spread across two years, was launched to support innovative and scalable mental health and addiction projects that complement the public system.

The first round of funding supported several well-known organisations already making an impact, including MATES in Construction, the Mental Health Foundation, YouthLine, Wellington City Mission, Rotorua Youth One Stop Shop and the Sir John Kirwan Foundation.

Further recipients from round one are expected to be announced shortly.

During the event, Doocey also reinforced the Government’s wider strategy to improve mental health outcomes, noting it is the first to introduce specific targets to reduce wait times.

He said that funded initiatives are helping to ease pressure on the public system by activating capacity outside traditional services.

He said the Government remained committed to exploring every possible avenue to ensure that people in need can access help where and when they need it. Lowering the match funding threshold, he added, was one more step toward enabling more organisations to be part of the solution.

“It’s vital that we empower the sector to respond with new ideas, new models, and better access. This change clears the way for more of that innovation to happen,” said Doocey.