The Mental Health Minister is sheeting issues in Canterbury's mental health services - back to previous Governments

Health New Zealand's apologised for significant failings found in a review launched in 2022.

They include staff shortages and ineffective governance, contributing to murders by two patients.

The Mental Health Foundation says it demonstrates decades of neglect of the system.

Matt Doocey acknowledges the failings - but is pointing the finger at the Government of the time.

He says the report shows systemic issues in the system his Government inherited.