With burnout rates on the rise nationwide, a recent study indicates that one in two New Zealand employees (57%) are at high risk of experiencing burnout(1) in 2024, and this remains extremely high at 26% in 2025.

Leading this ongoing study, Wellbeing@Work, is Professor Jarrod Haar, who researches job burnout at Massey University. He describes burnout as a state of exhaustion linked to work, marked by extreme fatigue, emotional detachment, and diminished ability to manage emotions or cognitive functions.

The data also reveals that workers in New Zealand facing a high risk of burnout are more prone to severe mental health issues, including job-related depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and even psychosomatic symptoms like muscle pain and headaches. “This highlights the urgent need not only to recognise the high levels of burnout among the workforce but also to emphasise the importance of addressing it,” states Professor Haar.

He elaborates, “Our research consistently indicates that chronic stress can lead to emotional exhaustion and a sense of cynicism. However, one crucial—and often overlooked—protective factor is strong social support. Community-based initiatives can foster a vital sense of belonging that helps mitigate these adverse effects.”

Leading the anti-burnout movement

In response, Project Sunrise, a community initiative dedicated to supporting professionals and business owners navigating stress, burnout, and mental health struggles, is taking action.

Project Sunrise is a community created by three friends (Clarissa Hirst, Floriane Caillot and Pete Whittaker) designed to support professionals and business owners navigating burnout and mental health struggles. They run weekly events around Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, ranging from free walks to mindfulness workshops and gentle exercises, all in a pitch-free, no expectation environment.

For Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW, 6-12 October 2025), Project Sunrise is adding to its regular schedule of events to support the theme “Top Up Together” by organising a week-long Anti-Burnout Bingo Challenge and additional activities aimed at combating isolation and exhaustion through the proven power of connection and movement. The initiatives are:

Heat & Reset Sauna Session (Mon, 6 October): Hosted by Sauna Collective, this event offers a space for intentional relaxation and conversation, helping to alleviate the physical symptoms of stress.

Sunset Stroll + Gift Swap Mt Eden (Tue, 7 October): This is an evening version of Project Sunrise’s regular Sip 'n' Stroll event with a budget-friendly gift swap in line with the MHAW theme ‘Give’: a casual walk and chat with some bonus panoramic city views at sundown at one of Auckland’s iconic maunga: Mt Eden.

Rise ‘n’ Stride (Wed 8 October): Aligning with the MHAW theme 'Be Active,' this event combines physical movement with social connection, directly addressing the physical and emotional symptoms of burnout.

Yin Yoga Class at Golden Yogi with Monika Merriman (Thu, 9 October): A meditative, slow-paced, all-levels class that explores long, deep stretching to enhance joint mobility, improve flexibility, and heal the body’s connective tissues.

Sip ‘n’ Stroll (Fri 10 October): A classic Project Sunrise event fostering low-pressure, meaningful social connection over a complimentary hot drink thanks to Zoho Australia & New Zealand.

Flourish: Workshop on how to thrive, not just survive (Fri 10 October): A collaboration with Empowerment Psychology to bring you a transformative, free workshop designed to align with the Friday theme: Keep Learning/ Me Ako Tonu. This session, led by Registered Clinical Psychologist and Project Sunrise community member Dr. Missy Wolfman, offers a practical guide to building resilience in a supportive, small-group setting.

Morning Unwind: Walk, Talk, Yoga and Wind Down (Sat 11 October): A collaboration with Auckland Young Professionals to ease into the day with fresh air, light conversation and gentle movement.

Movie Club: A Big Bold Beautiful Journey (Sun, 12 October): Join a special screening of A Big Bold Beautiful Journey to finish up MHAW.

Project Sunrise will also launch an Anti-Burnout Bingo Challenge, encouraging participants to engage in small, daily acts of self-care and connection throughout MHAW.

For the community, by the community

“We started Project Sunrise because we lived through burnout and knew the profound difference that a supportive community made,” say the co-founders of Project Sunrise, Clarissa Hirst, Pete Whittaker and Floriane Calliot.

“Our events are designed to be a gentle first step for anyone feeling isolated or overwhelmed. You don't need to have it all figured out—you just need to show up. This Mental Health Awareness Week is about showing people that they are not alone, and that small steps, together, make a big difference.”

“My favourite part of Sip 'n' Stroll and the broader Project Sunrise community is the idea of connecting with people, often by intuition. It sounds kooky, but the best way I can think of to describe it is that it’s a vibe. You feel it, and you feel it with some people in the group. Sometimes it's the same people, and sometimes it's not. Still, you get the sense that you don't

need to put on a facade to be seen,” says Narmadhaa Sivaraja, a Project Sunrise community member and marketing professional who recently moved from Australia.

“One of the things I like about Project Sunrise events is that they bring together a diverse group of people to discuss a wide range of topics. We all have hyper-focused, goal-oriented, KPI defining conversations all the time in our own lives. Project Sunrise is a deliberate place to turn those conversations around. And it's encouraged me to do that more and more often because that's when our minds recharge and refuel. Honestly, it's the perfect amount of peopling for an introvert.”

Most Project Sunrise events are free and open to the public. For the full schedule of Mental Health Awareness Week events and to register, visit https://events.humanitix.com/host/project-sunrise.

About Project Sunrise:

Project Sunrise is a community initiative dedicated to supporting professionals and business owners navigating stress, burnout, and mental health struggles, and creating safe spaces to connect, move, and learn with like-minded people without pressure, judgment, or expectation.

About the co-founders of Project Sunrise:

Clarissa Hirst is a burnout coach who uses both neuroscience-backed tools and her own lived experience to help organisations and people prevent and navigate their way out of burnout.

Pete Whittaker is a fierce advocate for open and honest conversations about mental health, especially amongst men. He is a film director and the co-owner of Howler, a film production company based in Auckland.

Floriane Caillot is also the co-owner of Howler, a film production company based in Auckland, where she serves as the senior editor, leading post-production. After experiencing burnout in 2022 and struggling with anxiety, Floriane is committed to breaking the stigma around mental health. She is passionate about sharing her story so others know they are not alone.

Note:

(1) https://www.massey.ac.nz/about/news/job-insecurity-drives-aotearoa-new-zealand-workforce-to highest-burnout-risk/

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