Source: New Zealand Drug Foundation | Te Puna Whakaiti Pāmamae Kai Whakapiri
7 October 2026
Government money for mental health and addiction, announced today, will go straight into building local capacity to support people who want to address substance use.
The Drug Foundation is one of several NGOs set to get support through the third round of the Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund.
The money will be used to train local facilitators for free, peer-led SMART Recovery meetings for people wanting to change their relationship with substances or other problematic behaviours.
“SMART is an accessible way to help people make changes,” NZ Drug Foundation executive director Sarah Helm says.
“Addiction services are stretched and about a quarter of people wait longer than three weeks (https://www.health.govt.nz/publications/alcohol-and-other-drug-services-mapping) to access support. SMART groups can help people straight away, without a referral – either before treatment starts or alongside it.
“People can just join a meeting when they’re ready, and don’t have to reach crisis point first.
“We hope that over time, this will reduce pressure on the system.”
Helm says the programmes are easily adapted to community needs, for example there is already a SMART Recovery group for people with ADHD.
“I’m also excited about the launch of Whānau SMART next year, which is designed by and for Māori,” Helm says.
The innovation fund is for time-limited projects, and chosen providers must match the Government investment with money from other sources.
The Drug Foundation is partnering with SMART Recovery in Australia with matching funds provided by a generous Australian philanthropist committed to growing peer-led recovery in New Zealand and globally.