Lifeline Aotearoa reduces hours due to funding shortfall

Thursday 6 November 2025 · 5 outlets · 3 reports · updated Thu 6 Nov 2025, 5:43pm

In this story Health New Zealand, Presbyterian Support Northern

Lifeline Aotearoa has been unable to provide services between midnight and 7am since March due to a lack of government funding. The mental health helpline faces a $2 million shortfall and warns it cannot maintain 24/7 operations without sustainable financial support.

How they headlined it

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1. The PressThu 6 Nov 2025, 12:45pm

   New Zealand’s longest running helpline forced to slash hours and miss calls (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Post (opens in new tab), Waikato Times (opens in new tab)

2. RNZThu 6 Nov 2025, 4:31pm

   Lifeline to cut operations if funding shortfall not plugged (opens in new tab)

3. 1News via RNZThu 6 Nov 2025, 5:43pm

   Lifeline to cut operations unless funding shortfall is plugged (opens in new tab)