For 24-year-old Peihopa-Harris, the path to recovery from binge eating disorder took 13 years, a move across the country, and a stroke of luck with an ACC claim. Her story exposes a stark reality: in New Zealand, access to eating disorder care often depends on where you live, what you earn, and whether you can navigate a fragmented system.
After years of feeling trapped, Peihopa-Harris has just completed five months at Recovered Living, a charity-run residential facility in Canterbury. She told RNZ she is finally able to dream about the future, something that felt impossible just two years ago.
What happened when Peihopa-Harris sought help in Northland?
When Peihopa-Harris first approached her GP about her struggles with food, she was told the practice would look into referring her to eating disorder services. The response was devastating: there were no public eating disorder services in Northland.
Her doctor then reached out to services in Auckland, the nearest region. The answer was the same. They said she was out of their scope because she didn't live there.
Deborah Barrow, Health New Zealand general manager for mental health and addiction services, said specialist outpatient services exist in Te Tai Tokerau for people with moderate or severe eating disorders. She noted that specialist residential treatment is provided through services in Auckland. But for Peihopa-Harris, those options were effectively out of reach.
Why is binge eating disorder often overlooked?
Peihopa-Harris says her binge eating was caused by trauma, leading her to isolate and hide her behaviour. She says the disorder is often dismissed with unhelpful advice like 'just don't overeat' or 'just control yourself'.
Rachael Haldane, clinical director at Recovered Living, believes binge eating may be even more prevalent than anorexia. Because it can be associated with what appears to be a normal or higher body weight, it often goes undiagnosed.
“It's not just about re-feeding, it's not just about putting weight on somebody. It's about getting to the bottom of what actually is causing the food or the weight issues, or the trauma that makes people feel that they're not good enough.”
How many New Zealanders are affected by eating disorders?
The New Zealand Eating Issues and Eating Disorders Strategy estimates that about 400,000 New Zealanders will experience an eating disorder during their lifetimes. That's roughly 8% of the population, a figure that challenges the perception of eating disorders as a niche issue.
What did recovery look like for Peihopa-Harris?
Last year, Peihopa-Harris moved to Hamilton, partly to access treatment. But it wasn't until an ACC claim was accepted that she could enter the Recovered Living programme. The facility operates in a home-like environment, focusing on nutrition and uncovering the root causes of disordered eating.
Haldane said Recovered Living had hoped to secure a contract with Health NZ, but despite meeting officials, that hasn't happened. Private payment is expensive, and ACC funding doesn't always cover the full course of treatment.
What do advocates say New Zealand needs?
Sarah Rowland, chairperson of Eating Disorders Carer Support, says New Zealand needs more residential support beds, but there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
“Some people can do really well in the community with the right support, whereas others might need that higher level of support and 24-hour care, which families and carers often aren't at capacity to be able to do.”
Rowland noted that more classic eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and ARFID often present at younger ages, meaning parents can be more involved with specialist services when referrals are accepted. Binge eating disorder, by contrast, can leave families without a clear path forward.
What does the future hold for Peihopa-Harris?
For the first time in her adult life, Peihopa-Harris says her days are no longer dominated by her eating disorder.
“I have so much more space in my brain and in my life for other things. I can see that a future is possible and I feel like I have the energy and the capacity to do things, to dream, and to put those dreams into action.”
She is calling for more funding to support people with eating disorders, and hopes her story will help others who feel as hopeless as she once did.
Frequently asked questions about eating disorder care in New Zealand
Are there public eating disorder services in Northland?
No. Health NZ confirms there are specialist mental health outpatient services in Te Tai Tokerau for moderate to severe cases, but no dedicated public eating disorder services. Residential treatment is only available through services in Auckland.
How much does private eating disorder treatment cost?
Private residential programmes like Recovered Living are expensive, and ACC funding does not always cover the full duration of treatment needed. This creates a significant barrier for many New Zealanders.
What is the most common eating disorder in New Zealand?
Binge eating disorder is believed to be more prevalent than anorexia, though it is often underdiagnosed because it can be associated with normal or higher body weight.