MATES in Construction New Zealand (MATES) is proud to announce an exciting new collaboration with grassroots rural mental health charitable trust Whatever with Wiggy through their ‘Lean on a Gate’ initiative.

“By creating awareness, delivering purposeful training programmes and providing ongoing support, the MATES programme has made a real impact across the construction industry. We are now excited to partner with ‘Lean on a Gate’ to start a two-phase trial with our mates in rural communities,” says MATES in Construction Chief Executive John Chapman.

As one of MATES’ strategies to extend the reach and impact of our programme, ‘Mates of MATES’ is a new initiative that enables partnerships with organisations, industries or communities that are strategically aligned with the construction industry.

Putting a strong emphasis on community and connection, ‘Mates of MATES’ will promote courageous conversations about mental health and reduce the stigma associated with seeking help. The collaboration will see MATES’ programmes delivered in rural communities, providing a substantial increase in mental health awareness and effective pathways for those who are struggling.

Craig 'Wiggy' Wiggins, founder of Whatever with Wiggy, said, “Within the rural communities, workers across all industries have very little access to mental health training. Feedback from participants of the initial work of ’Lean on a Gate’ indicates that the MATES kaupapa will be a great fit for rural NZ.”

"With the help of MATES, our vision is to empower people to be able to identify when they, their friends, and their whānau need support — and know how to journey with them until the right help and expertise is found," Wiggy continues.

With shared values around community and capability building, Mr Chapman and Wiggy are delighted that the MATES programme can be offered to rural New Zealand.

"We know our rural mates care for one another. Working alongside Wiggy and ‘Lean on a Gate’ allows us to foster this care and pair it with life-changing and life-saving skills.”

The Mates of MATES trial will launch in Ashburton in September and extend into further rural communities in 2026.

The MATES programme builds and strengthens workplace supports across the industry — helping create working environments that encourage positive wellbeing, increasing workplace capacity to identify and appropriately respond to signs that a co-worker may be at risk of suicide, and providing case management support to those who seek help.

Where to get help:

• MATES in Construction – 0800 111 315 (available 24/7)
• Lifeline: Call 0800 543 354 or text 4357 (HELP) (available 24/7)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• Youthline: Call 0800 376 633 or text 234
• What's Up: Call 0800 942 8787 (11am to 11pm) or webchat (11am to 10.30pm)
• 0800 Anxiety Helpline: 0800 269 4389 (0800 ANXIETY). This service is confidential and free of charge. Open 24/7.
• Depression Helpline: Call 0800 111 757 or text 4202 (available 24/7)
• National Helpline: Need to talk? Call or text 1737
• Aoake te Rā (Bereaved by Suicide Service): Call 0800 000 053

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

About MATES: 

MATES in Construction (MATES) New Zealand was launched in 2019 in response to the high rate of suicide among construction workers, deploying the WHO recognised Mates in Construction programme established in Brisbane in 2008. It operates across all regions of Aotearoa New Zealand, aiming to ignite hope, promote well-being, and reduce ill-being among construction workers. It is a non-profit organisation that receives most of its funding from industry, supported by public sector organisations.

The MATES programme covers promotion and prevention via suicide awareness and suicide first-aid training, crisis intervention via a 24/7 support line, and postvention support for workers and their families following a suspected suicide or other critical incidents. More information about the MATES programme is available at MATES’ website.

About Lean On a Gate: 

Founder Craig ‘Wiggy’ Wiggins launched the Lean On a Gate initiative in September 2021, after losing two friends to suicide. He urged farmers to 'Lean on a Gate and Talk to a Mate' — reviving the old tradition of informal check-ins at saleyards.

© Scoop Media