An investment of more than $200 million into mental health makes it one of the big winners in this year's Budget - much to the elation of a local suicide prevention leader.
An extra $224m over four years has been invested in mental health services including $124m in new innovative approaches to tackling the issue.
Michael Naera, suicide prevention project leader at Te Runanga o Ngati Pikiao Trust said it was an "awesome Budget outcome".
"It's certainly been a long time coming but it's absolutely fantastic. Working in mental health it is great to see financial backing to support our people from unwellness to wellness.
"I am especially over the moon with the $8m to extend the Rangatahi Suicide Prevention Fund. Having that dedicated fund will only bring good for our youth.
"I only hope this new money isn't consumed in bureaucracy and people that matter - those at the grassroots - benefit from this investment."
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Lakes DHB chief executive Ron Dunham said the Budget announcements were positive for the health sector.
He said it looked as though the pressures the health sector had been facing for some time now, had to some extent been recognised by the Government.
Mr Dunham said it generally took a while for the details of Budget decisions to come through, and he and his team would need to look closely at it.
He added the additional money the Government was targeting for DHBs to support local mental health and addiction services would be encouraging news for many in the community, as well as health professionals and non-governmental organisations working in the field.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman said delivering better health services remained the Government's "number one funding priority".
Major investments
- $1.54 billion for wage increases for the 55,000 care and disability support workers as part of the pay equity settlement.
- $205m for disability support services.
- $60m for Pharmac to provide more access to new medicines.
- $52.3m for emergency ambulance services.
- $100m for a new cross-government social investment fund targeting innovative new proposals to tackle mental health issues.
- $8m in Vote Maori Development to extend the Rangatahi Suicide Prevention Fund.
- $100m for DHBs to support local mental health and addiction services as part of their total new budget spend through Vote Health.