“I feel comfortable and safe, i also feel a sense of belonging.”

- Atawhai rangatahi, 2022

Our Vision

Our vision is for every young person in Aotearoa to have the tools to overcome challenges, improve their wellbeing and live a meaningful life.

Our Mission

TKI exists to empower marginalised communities in Aotearoa, to support wellbeing, through movement and mindfulness, community and leadership. We strive to create equity in wellbeing through our mahi (work) that is financially accessible, is grounded in te ao Māori and focuses on extensive, long-lasting change within the communities we serve.

Why It Matters

Research for the Prime Minister’s Mental Health Project showed one in five young people will be affected by depression by the age of 18, and almost one in five meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder by 19. New Zealand has one of the highest rates of teen suicide in the developed world, with Māori disproportionately represented.

Demand for mental health support has skyrocketed, with a significant number of young people unable to access the services they so desperately need. Anxiety, depression and psychological distress has increased even more so with the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Kindness Institutes’s youth development programs provide an evidence-based kaupapa Māori-aligned solution to the mental health crisis among young people. Recent research by the University of Waikato highlighted rangatahi happiness increased by 12% and anxiety reduced by 12% across the duration of the program.

How we create change

As an organisation, we develop, deliver and grow mindfulness and stress management programs in partnership with young people throughout Tamaki Mākaurau / Auckland. Core aspects of our kaupapa include:

  • Community-mandated, rangatahi-led
  • Aligned with kaupapa Māori principles
  • Guided by Te Whare Tapa Whā health framework
  • Tuku Iho (training the trainer) model of passing on knowledge

Our youth are empowered to teach mindfulness, yoga and stress management tools to their community. This model has been hugely successful to date, especially with regard to enhancing wellbeing and strengthening identity, connection and access to opportunities.

Our kaupapa is also focused on educating, encouraging and promoting mental health and wellbeing, as well as promoting community connectedness, social participation and cultural expression.

Click below for more information on our core youth development programs and results to date.

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“I feel so happy and content with myself after being with Atawhai. I have learnt self control and peace within myself.”

-Atawhai Rangatahi, 2021