# MP Profile: Matt Doocey (National) **Party:** New Zealand National Party **Electorate:** Waimakariri **Parliament URL:** https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/members-of-parliament/doocey-matt/ _(Radware-blocked — inaccessible via automated scraping)_ **Current Roles:** - Minister of Mental Health - Associate Minister of Health - Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) **Relevance to Seniors:** 🔴 **HIGH** — _Minister of Mental Health with direct responsibility for older adult mental health services, dementia-related depression, and aged care psychiatry. Associate Health portfolio touches geriatric medicine, dementia care, and primary care for seniors._ --- ## Public Background Matt Doocey has represented the Waimakariri electorate (north Canterbury) since 2014. Before entering Parliament, he worked as a registered nurse and in health management, giving him clinical frontline experience uncommon among MPs. He served as Deputy Chief Whip and as Opposition spokesperson for mental health and for seniors before the 2023 election. He was appointed Minister of Mental Health and Associate Minister of Health in the coalition government. Doocey has been a vocal advocate for increased mental health funding and has spoken frequently about the mental health needs of older New Zealanders, including the link between social isolation and depression in seniors. His nursing background gives him credibility on health workforce issues affecting aged care. --- ## Public Positions Relevant to Older New Zealanders | Policy Area | Stated Position / Activity | | ------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Older Adult Mental Health** | Portfolio responsibility for mental health services for older adults — depression, anxiety, and dementia-related behavioural and psychological symptoms. | | **Dementia Care Support** | Associate Health role includes oversight of dementia services, memory assessment clinics, and dementia care capacity planning. | | **Social Isolation & Loneliness** | Has acknowledged social isolation as a major mental health risk for older people; supports community-based social connection programmes. | | **Aged Care Psychiatry** | Portfolio oversight of psychiatric services in aged residential care facilities, including hospital-level dementia units. | | **Bereavement & Grief Services** | Mental health portfolio covers grief counselling and bereavement support — disproportionately used by older adults. | | **Suicide Prevention in Older Men** | Older men (75+ male age group) have elevated suicide rates — portfolio responsibility for targeted prevention programmes. | | **Psychological Support for Carers** | Family carers of older people are an at-risk group for mental health conditions; portfolio covers carer wellbeing initiatives. | | **Social Housing & Mental Health** | Associate Housing role connects stable housing (including social housing for seniors) with mental health outcomes. | | **Primary Mental Health for Seniors** | Funding for primary care-level mental health services (counselling, talking therapies) accessible to older patients through GP referrals. | --- ## Voting & Bill Relevance - **Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Amendment Bill:** Legislative framework for mental health treatment including older adults with dementia-related conditions. - **Health Funding (Budget) Bills:** Mental health budget allocation — specifically older adult mental health service budgets. - **Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Amendment Bills:** Health system legislation affecting aged care mental health service integration. - **Substance Addiction (Treatment) Bills:** Alcohol and medication misuse in older adults. - **Housing (Social Housing) Bills:** Associate Housing role — social housing for seniors links to mental health outcomes. --- ## Business Implications - **Aged Care Providers:** Mental health service integration in aged care facilities — clinical oversight requirements, staffing models. - **Community Mental Health Providers:** Contracting and funding for older adult mental health services. - **Dementia Care Operators:** Specialist dementia unit design and operation — mental health regulatory compliance. - **Psychology & Counselling Services:** Funding models for primary mental health care accessible to seniors. - **Pharmaceutical Sector:** Antidepressant and antipsychotic prescribing in older adults — pharmac funding and guidance. - **Home Support Providers:** Mental health support for older people living at home — community psychiatric nursing. --- ## Campaign Relevance - **Waimakariri Electorate:** Marginal seat (National 50.2% in 2023); large senior population in Rangiora, Kaiapoi, and Christchurch northern suburbs. Mental health and health services are local campaign issues. - **Mental Health as a Voter Issue:** Mental health is a growing concern for older voters — Doocey's performance is politically significant. - **Nursing Background:** Unique asset — voters trust a former nurse on health issues. - **Rural Seniors:** Waimakariri includes rural and peri-urban areas where older residents face access barriers to mental health care. - **2026 Election:** Doocey's mental health portfolio delivery and seniors mental health services will be part of National's health record. --- ## Source List - Beehive.govt.nz — Mental Health portfolio announcements, health budget - Parliament.nz — MP profile _(Radware-blocked)_ - Ministry of Health / Health New Zealand — Mental health and addiction services - New Zealand National Party — Mental health policy - Official Hansard — Health estimates, Question Time, Mental Health portfolio debates - NZ Herald, RNZ, The Press — Mental health policy coverage - Office of the Minister of Mental Health — Portfolio briefings and media releases --- _Profile last updated: June 2026_