Supplied
The Kindness Institute provides evidence-based, kaupapa Maori-aligned youth development programmes to address the mental health crisis among young people.
A rangtahi-led, kaupapa Māori mental health programme will be expanded after receiving critical funding.
Health insurance company nib foundation announced on Friday it had provided $50,000 to The Kindness Institute, which runs the Atawhai programme to improve the wellbeing of rangatahi in Tāmaki Makaurau.
“Thanks to funding contributions from the nib foundation, we were able to run a second Atawhai programme this year, helping an additional 15 rangatahi,” The Kindness Institute director Brady Polkinghorne (Ngāti Tamaterā) said.
“Receiving funding from organisations that believe in our kaupapa allows us to continue to grow and make a meaningful difference in the lives of our rangatahi.”
Polkinghorne said the funding was important after the organisation faced unexpected cuts in June.
The Kindness Institute had received funding from the Government since 2021, but this was discontinued in June.
nib Foundation/Supplied
The Kindness Institute director Brady Polkinghorn says a funding boost will help the mental health charity make a meaningful difference in the lives of rangatahi.
“We’re facing an ongoing and worsening youth mental health crisis in Aotearoa and programmes like ours that are proven to have a profound and significant positive effect on the wellbeing of the rangatahi we serve, are in need of funding,” he said.
The Atawhai programme is driven by tikanga and supports people aged 13 to 18 years through activities like yoga, mindfulness, self-reflection and creative arts.
It aims to equip rangatahi with lifelong communication, stress management and resilience skills.
Executive officer Amy Tribe said the nib foundation was proud to partner with The Kindness Institute to support the kaupapa.
“We know that rangatahi Māori are disproportionately impacted when it comes to youth mental health and we’re proud to support a kaupapa Māori programme that empowers rangatahi to learn new skills and adopt healthy habits to protect their mental wellbeing,” she said.
“Through our partnership we were able to connect The Kindness Institute with nib’s partner, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. The latest Atawahi cohort included seven rangatahi from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and we’re excited to explore other opportunities to work together in the future.”
The Kindness Institute
The Kindness Institute lost significant government funding and now seeks urgent support from the public. (Video first published September 12, 2023.)
The 13 rangatahi who completed the programme in 2022 reported a decrease in stress, anxiety, depression and self-harm.
Uniqa graduated from the Atawhai programme on Sunday at an event hosted by the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei health team, Toi Ora.
“The Atawhai programme has done a lot for me in terms of realisation, knowledge and growth,” she said.
“I have learnt many things while attending the kaupapa, and I am grateful to have been exposed to the helpful tools that are provided.”
