5 Nov 2025

Wellington's Depression Recovery Centre almost certain to close

From Checkpoint, 5:43 pm on 5 November 2025

Wellington's Depression Recovery Centre is now almost certain to close after it received news this afternoon that Health NZ won't save it. ACC recently stopped funding clients to use Whakamatutu's services and the centre hoped Health NZ could cover the shortfall. But in an email this afternoon Health NZ told the centre it didn't have any discretionary funds available. Depression Recovery Trust's Wellington Board chair Dame Diana Crossan spoke to Lisa Owen.