๐ Kia Ora – Welcome to our first newsletter of 2026
A new year always brings fresh energy, and already we’re seeing so many Kiwis continuing to show up for our young people.
Hope in Schools
Behind the scenes, our Ambassadors Ruby and Noah are busy planning and preparing for school visits as part of Little People, Big Feelings — getting ready to head back into classrooms across Aotearoa with the support of our Principal Partner, the Wright Family Foundation. ๐
Gumboot Friday: Wrapping January in Hope
In January alone, 1,311 young people aged 5–25accessed free counselling support through Gumboot Friday, delivering a total of 1,928 sessions nationwide.
Every session is no-cost, requires no referral, and is chosen by the young person from our network of registered counsellors on the Gumboot Friday platform.
Here’s the January breakdown:
277
young people
aged 5–11
(21%)
382
young people
aged 12–17
(29%)
652
young people
aged 18–25
(50%)
While government funding pays our counsellors — and we are grateful for that support — none of this happens without the incredible generosity of Kiwis who donate to I Am Hope.
Your support keeps the whole Gumboot Friday operation running — matching young people to counsellors, keeping everything moving behind the scenes, and allowing us to reach more rangatahi every month.
We are deeply grateful, from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you for believing in our kids and making sure help is there when they need it.
NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO?
We’re here to listen. Free counselling is available now for young people 25 and under.
Choose a counsellor who feels right for you.No referral needed. No cost.
I’ve written about what our real-time Gumboot Friday data is actually showing for the Eastern Times.
Not opinion. Not theory. Numbers from young people aged 5–25 who have actively sought counselling.
When distress starts. How early it spikes. How many overlapping issues kids are carrying. And who is being hit hardest.
If we’re going to talk about a “crisis”, we should at least look at the data properly.
Bailee’s 208km Boot Run – Grief, Grit and Heart ๐ฅพ
Back in November, Marton’s Bailee Hoera completed an emotional 208km run from Marton to New Plymouth in just over 21 hours — finishing at her friend’s grave in Awanui Cemetery.
Running in neon pink gumboots, Bailee said the final stretch was more emotional than physical, spending the last 20km in tears as she honoured her friend who died at just 14.
It was raw. It was brave. It was done with love. We are absolutely floored ๐ฅบ
In Memory of beautiful Hayley ๐
On 17 January 2026, Hayley’s family ran a half marathon in her memory — the weekend of what would have been her 21st birthday. Their courage turned heartbreak into hope, raising close to $8,000 to support young people across Aotearoa.
“To know her memory is helping others is a comfort that means more than can be expressed.”
This is exactly why we exist. For young people like Hayley and her family. Sending love to all of you whฤnau.
Private Wealth Advisers – Three Years Standing With Us ๐ผ๐
For the past three years, the team at Private Wealth Advisers has stood proudly beside I Am Hope. Their commitment to tailored solutions and long-term thinking aligns strongly with how we approach mental health support — meeting people where they’re at and helping them build a stable future.
We’re incredibly grateful to Jack Powell, Roger Sutherland, and the entire PWA team for their continued belief in our kaupapa.
Paradice Skating – Community on Ice โธ๏ธ
Paradice’s recent Gumboot Friday events were packed with energy. Gumboot throwing was a hit, the Wall of Hope filled with beautiful messages, and more than 150 skaters at each rink got involved.
Storybooks, colouring books, and positive conversations flowed — and a donation has already been passed on to support our young people.
I am a practitioner accepting referrals from the I Am Hope charity. This child focused streamlined system (the Gumboot Friday platform) is so awesome to work under. Parents generally request emotional and psychologist support for their struggling children when they have tried everything themselves. This service provides short wait times and experienced counsellors to connect with. The 2-4 funded sessions available to children and young people are enough to do immediate crisis work or assessments with recommendations going forward for longer term clients.
– Gumboot Friday Counsellor
Hearing that from the professionals working directly with our kids reminds us why this matters.
Gumbitz – A Little Idea Helping in a Big Way
Earlier this year, Alissa Wilson launched Gumbitz after a simple parenting moment — her children’s gumboots kept going missing at preschool. The solution: durable, waterproof stickers to help kids personalise and easily identify their boots. ๐ The idea quickly resonated with families across Aotearoa, particularly in rural communities
“The response to Gumbitz has been incredible, especially from rural families” says Wilson.
“Supporting Gumboot Friday just made sense. Gumboots represent hard work and resilience — the same values that sit at the heart of I Am Hope’s message.”
A brilliant story out of Southland, where local gaming enthusiasts came together to raise funds for youth mental health support. It’s proof that hope shows up in all kinds of communities — sometimes exactly where you least expect it.
Elite on the Green – Golfing for Good ๐๐ฝโ๏ธ
Huge thanks to The Elite Network Group for choosing I AM HOPE as their charity of choice and backing our kids in such a big way over the past couple of years. Now they’re bringing it to the fairway.
๐ Friday 20 March 2026
๐ Howick Golf Club
Meet like-minded business leaders. Enter a team. Bid in the charity auction. Spend the day with Mike. It’s a great day out for a great cause.
We’re so grateful to Travellers for choosing to walk alongside us in such an amazing way.
Their upcoming 14-day escorted Sri Lanka tour this November isn’t just an unforgettable adventure — it’s a way for our community to explore the world while supporting young people here at home.
When you book with Travellers, you’re helping back I Am Hope and the good work happening in youth mental health across Aotearoa. That kind of heart-led partnership means a lot to us.
If you’ve been thinking about your next trip, this is a beautiful way to travel with purpose.
