AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – New Zealand Rugby is supporting
Sir John Kirwan’s Mitey mental health education programme in
2026, with the All Blacks and Black Ferns helping raise
awareness of the importance of positive mental wellbeing for
young New Zealanders.
The support reflects a shared
belief in giving children the tools, language and confidence
to build resilience from an early age. Having experienced
the pressures of performing on the world stage, the All
Blacks and Black Ferns understand the value of developing
strong mental skills and are proud to support Mitey’s
work.
All Black Anton Lienert-Brown, a Mitey
ambassador said:
“I’ve learned how important it is to
have the right tools and support around you, especially when
things can feel tough. It’s something we’ve all experienced,
which is why the All Blacks are proud to support Mitey and
the work it’s doing to help young New Zealanders build those
skills from an early age. Most importantly, Mitey is
working. It is already making a difference for thousands of
tamariki and we want to help raise awareness and funds so
that it can reach many more. “
Developed by the Sir
John Kirwan Foundation, Mitey is New Zealand’s leading
school-based mental health education programme. Through a
school wide ethos and curriculum delivered from years 1- 8,
Mitey builds mental health capabilities in children before
they transition into their teens. To date, it has equipped
over 100,000 primary and intermediate aged school children
to understand their emotions, ask for help, support others
and build healthy relationships.
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According to Sarah
Manley, CEO at Mitey, the programme’s success lies in its
practical, in-school support model that is applicable to the
real-world ups and downs that Kiwi kids face every
day.
“We work alongside teachers and school leaders,
modelling lessons in the classroom and helping embed
positive mental wellbeing across the whole school
environment and that’s what creates lasting change,”
Manley said.
Ex-All Black Sir John Kirwan, is a
long-time mental health advocate and founder of the Sir John
Kirwan Foundation believes Mitey’s expansion into more
schools and communities is one of the most important
investments New Zealand can make.
“We know our youth
suicide rates are too high, but getting to the heart of why
that is, is complex,” Kirwan said. “The world has
changed dramatically – and young people today are dealing
with very different pressures. That is why it takes a
‘Mitey Team’ to raise mentally thriving
kids.”
Developed alongside the University of
Auckland and New Zealand educators, Mitey’s mental health
education programme aligns with the New Zealand curriculum
and is designed to embed mental health education into
everyday learning as an ordinary subject, just like literacy
and maths.
“Mitey helps equip our Tamariki with the
skills, knowledge and understanding they need to deal with
pressure and their place in the world, when life gets
tough,” he adds.
Later this August, Mitey will
launch the Mitey Recruitment Drive – a nationwide
fundraising campaign led by Sir John Kirwan, inviting New
Zealanders to join or support the team behind Kiwi kids.
Travelling the country with the Bledisloe Cup®, the
campaign will rally communities through local events,
fundraising dinners and other initiatives as excitement
builds towards the Bledisloe Cup Test between the All Blacks
and Australia in Auckland on 10 October. Ultimately, raising
awareness and funds for Mitey, helping more children develop
the skills to tackle life’s toughest
moments.
© Scoop Media
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