Mental health charity, Hauora Aotearoa, is taking a different approach to challenging the mental health crisis in Aotearoa by putting rangatahi at the forefront of their own solutions through the Puāwai Project.

The Project is a multi-step challenge where ten selected rangatahi develop unique solutions to improve rangatahi mental health through mentorship, a podcast, and finally a summit.

The kaupapa goes live today with the launch of the Puāwai Podcast, a ten-part series led by the ten selected rangatahi. Now live on all major streaming platforms, the series explores and platforms powerful kōrero, insights and solutions to the mental health challenges facing Aotearoa.

The Puāwai Project has been created nā rangatahi, mā rangatahi – by young people, for young people – and will empower and connect rangatahi through meaningful kōrero and kotahitanga.

These rangatahi will showcase their kaupapa at the Puāwai Rangatahi Mental Health Summit on Wednesday 9 October, during Mental Health Awareness Week, at the Whanganui War Memorial Centre.

MC of the Summit and the Puāwai Project’s Rangatahi ambassador, Quack Pirihi, says rangatahi are already showing leadership.

“Backing rangatahi to lead the way isn’t a hot take. It just makes sense. The kaupapa that have bloomed from the Puāwai Podcast is proof,” says Pirihi.

The Puāwai Project is led by Hauora Aotearoa CEO, Jase Te Patu, whose organisation has worked directly with almost 50 high schools over the past two years. In early 2025, Hauora Aotearoa called for rangatahi to apply to be part of the Project by sharing how they would approach mental health if they had the resources. More than 50 applied and 10 were selected to develop their ideas with a $500 budget and the support of tuākana (mentors) and Te Patu.

“The kupu Puāwai means to bloom. Poipoia te kākano kia puāwai,” Te Patu says. “The Puāwai Project backs rangatahi to lead their own kaupapa. Rangatahi are switched on and have the answers to address the mental health crisis in Aotearoa.”

Registrations for the Puāwai Summit are open now for schools, youth organisations and community groups to attend and support rangatahi in their hauora journey.

The Puāwai Project rangatahi are:

• Maraanea Matika (Ko Pootatau Te Wherowhero raaua Ko Te Heuheu ngaa tangata)
• Sharnae Douglas (Te Aitanga a Hauiti, Ngāti Raukawa)
• Hayze Paikea (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Rātana Pā, Waikato-Tainui)
• Kaititera Tearoha Ripia (Ngāpuhi, Cook Islands, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Rātana Pā, Waikato-Tainui)
• Kodin Elkington (Ngāti Toa Rangatira) and Bailey Young
• McNamara Temarama (Ngati Apa, Ngāpuhi and Tainui)
• Orini Taratu (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Awa, Ngāpuhi, Hāmoa) and
• Kenisha Mediratta

Supporters of this kaupapa are: J R McKenzie Trust, The Lion Foundation, Lululemon and Clare Foundation.

About Hauora Aotearoa

The organisation behind the Puāwai Project, Hauora Aotearoa, is a kaupapa Māori wellbeing education charity. The charity teaches kaiako and rangatahi hauora practices to transform wellbeing outcomes in Aotearoa. Hauora Aotearoa arms rangatahi with the knowledge and tools to understand and express their emotions. This grassroots action aims to drive generational change that impacts every corner of society.

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