'There used to be help': Mentally unwell son plunged knife into dad's back as they hugged

Catherine HuttonOpen Justice reporter - Wellington·NZ Herald·26 Jun, 2026 10:00 PM15 mins to read‌A father wants police to resume non-urgent mental health callouts after his son was made a special patient.Composite image / NZME

Two years ago, police announced a change in how they attend mental health callouts, responding only to an immediate risk to life or safety or if a crime is being committed. Now a family are calling for change, saying the move left them feeling like help wasn’t available when