New Zealand is a high income country, and this is reflected in the overall good health status of the population.
[8] New Zealand's outdoor life style and high standard of living are balanced by isolation and a self-reliant culture, which discourages asking for help.
[9] Historically, people with mental health problems were institutionalised, whereas now the focus is on care in the wider community.
[8] The stigma around poor mental health has been lessened in recent years as a result of this change and public education campaigns.
However, New Zealand's Māori people, other minorities, and youth continue to be over-represented in the negative mental health statistics.