Last month, we reached a moment that will go down in I Am Hope history. Since 2019, Gumboot Friday has now funded over $20 million in free counselling sessions for young people across Aotearoa — more than 137,000 sessions and counting.
Every one of those sessions represents a young person who felt seen, supported, and heard when they needed it most. π
While government funding only began last year — a huge step that’s helped ensure no young person is turned away — this kaupapa is still powered first and foremost by you.
Public donations remain the engine behind everything we do: from keeping our counsellor platform running to paying admin costs, staff, and the invisible but essential work that keeps this movement alive.
To every individual, business, and school that’s ever thrown on a pair of gumboots, donated, or shared our message — thank you. You’ve built something that’s changing lives every single day.
π Keeping the kΕrero going
Every month, our incredible counsellors and outreach teams are out there connecting with tamariki and rangatahi — offering a safe ear, a kind word, and professional support when it’s needed most.
In October, 3,352 sessions were delivered nationwide, with school visits and community engagements continuing across the country.
Our Little People Big Feelings ambassadors are still lighting up classrooms, helping kids understand that it’s okay to feel, okay to talk, and okay to ask for help.
Their mahi reminds us that building resilience starts early — with open conversations, empathy, and laughter.
π’ GUMBOOT FRIDAY: Let’s make it our biggest yet
It’s almost here — Friday, 7 November, the day Aotearoa pulls on its gumboots and walks together for our kids.
This isn’t just another awareness day — it’s a movement. A symbol that says to every young person fighting through the mud of depression: you’re not alone, and we’ve got you.
Every step, every dollar, every muddy footprint counts. From school fields to building sites, office floors to paddocks — let’s make some noise, make some mess, and make this the loudest, proudest Gumboot Friday yet.
When we show up in our gumboots, we’re not just raising funds — we’re raising hope. π 100% of donations go directly to free counselling for young people across New Zealand.
So grab your mates, your kids, your colleagues — and join the movement that’s giving thousands of rangatahi a chance to find their footing again.
When good people come together, good things brew.
Our friends at Good Buzz have created something truly special — Gumbootcha, a bold blackcurrant kombucha made with NZ spring water, organic tea, and organic cane sugar. It’s not just good for your gut — it’s good for your community too.
For every bottle sold, 50 cents goes directly to I Am Hope, helping fund free counselling for young people across Aotearoa. That means every sip is another step toward hope. π
You can find Gumbootcha in Foodstuffs North Island supermarkets — including New World, PAK’nSAVE, and Four Square.
We’re proud to partner with Good Buzz in this kaupapa. Because mental health shouldn’t be a one-day conversation — it should be something we nurture every single day. Together, we’re helping Kiwis feel better from the inside out, one bottle at a time.
