New Zealand Asian Wellbeing, Bullying & Mental Health Survey 2025
Tracks
Ballroom 2 - In-Person Only
| Wednesday, June 24, 2026 |
| 1:40 PM - 2:00 PM |
Overview
Dr Kelly Feng, Asian Family Services
Presenter
Dr Kelly Feng
Chief Executive Officer
Asian Family Services
New Zealand Asian Wellbeing, Bullying & Mental Health Survey 2025
Presentation Overview
The 2025 New Zealand Asian Well-being and Mental Health Survey reveals a deepening crisis among Asian communities in Aotearoa, shaped by systemic inequities, discrimination, and declining life satisfaction. Commissioned by Asian Family Services (AFS) and conducted by Trace Research, this is the largest national survey dedicated to Asian mental health since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Findings from 1,273 respondents highlight stark realities. Over half (57%) are at risk of depression, with young adults, women, Koreans, and Indians disproportionately impacted. Life satisfaction has fallen by more than 11% since 2021, and only 57% of respondents feel a sense of belonging. Alarmingly, nearly half of Asian parents report their children experiencing school bullying, while expressing low confidence in schools’ ability to respond effectively.
Discrimination remains pervasive, with 80% of those reporting unfair treatment attributing it to race or ethnicity. At the same time, barriers to mental health support persist, driven by stigma, language difficulties, and the lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate services. These structural gaps leave many Asian New Zealanders underserved, unseen, and at risk.
AFS remains committed to amplifying Asian voices and advocating for equity in mental health, especially for our children and youth. This report is not only a set of findings but a call to action for policymakers, service providers, and community leaders to co-design solutions that foster belonging and well-being for all Asian communities.
This study underscores that as Aotearoa becomes more diverse, equity in mental health will depend on services that are not only accessible but meaningfully inclusive of Asian voices and experiences.
Three Key Learnings
1. Structural and cultural barriers remain major obstacles, with services often failing to feel relevant or safe for Asian communities.
2. A dual focus on adults and children is needed, as family dynamics and intergenerational experiences strongly shape wellbeing.
3. Embedding cultural responsiveness through language access, community engagement, and recognition of stigma significantly increases trust and uptake.
Findings from 1,273 respondents highlight stark realities. Over half (57%) are at risk of depression, with young adults, women, Koreans, and Indians disproportionately impacted. Life satisfaction has fallen by more than 11% since 2021, and only 57% of respondents feel a sense of belonging. Alarmingly, nearly half of Asian parents report their children experiencing school bullying, while expressing low confidence in schools’ ability to respond effectively.
Discrimination remains pervasive, with 80% of those reporting unfair treatment attributing it to race or ethnicity. At the same time, barriers to mental health support persist, driven by stigma, language difficulties, and the lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate services. These structural gaps leave many Asian New Zealanders underserved, unseen, and at risk.
AFS remains committed to amplifying Asian voices and advocating for equity in mental health, especially for our children and youth. This report is not only a set of findings but a call to action for policymakers, service providers, and community leaders to co-design solutions that foster belonging and well-being for all Asian communities.
This study underscores that as Aotearoa becomes more diverse, equity in mental health will depend on services that are not only accessible but meaningfully inclusive of Asian voices and experiences.
Three Key Learnings
1. Structural and cultural barriers remain major obstacles, with services often failing to feel relevant or safe for Asian communities.
2. A dual focus on adults and children is needed, as family dynamics and intergenerational experiences strongly shape wellbeing.
3. Embedding cultural responsiveness through language access, community engagement, and recognition of stigma significantly increases trust and uptake.
Biography
Dr. Kelly Feng MNZM is Chief Executive of Asian Family Services (AFS), where her transformative leadership has driven innovation in mental health and addiction support since 2016. Trained as a medical doctor in China and later registered as a social worker in New Zealand, she brings a rare blend of clinical expertise, cultural insight, and frontline empathy. Formerly established Asian Mental Health Services at secondary mental health, she pioneered initiatives amplifying Asian community voices. Under her leadership, AFS secured multiple Ministry of Health grants and led nationally significant research, advancing culturally responsive, equitable, and evidence-based services for Asian New Zealanders.
