Arms Flexed! Aotearoa Is Ready To Push For Mental Health

From tomorrow morning (5 February) almost 19,000 people will be flexing their support for better mental health as The Push-Up Challenge officially launches nationwide.

Running from 5-27 February, the world’s fastest-growing mental health and fitness event will see participants complete 2,000 push-ups in 23 days – reflecting the number of people who die by suicide each day, globally.

The event started with humble beginnings by founder Nick Hudson and some mates in Australia in 2017. From tomorrow tens of thousands of people in New Zealand, Canada and the UK will be simultaneously taking on the Challenge.

Since it began, The Push-Up Challenge has raised over $67 million NZD for mental health globally.

Founder of The Push-Up Challenge, Nick Hudson, says seeing the Challenge finally launch in New Zealand is a proud moment. “Seeing nearly 20,000 people signed up before day one shows the hunger amongst Kiwis to get moving, talk about mental health and support one another.”

The Push-Up Challenge is free to take part in and open to people of all ages and abilities. For those who can’t complete traditional pushups, participants can choose alternatives such as situps, squats or lunges.

The daily push-up target relates to a mental health fact. For instance, the target on day one is 63, which reflects the 63% of adults who say being kind boosts their mental health.

Participants can also choose to fundraise to support the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand (MHF) MHF Chief Executive Shaun Robinson says the Challenge offers benefits well beyond fundraising. “The Push-Up Challenge hits on so many of those simple, daily things we can all do to lift our wellbeing – connection with mates or work colleagues, being physically active, and learning new things, like education around mental health and wellbeing.”

A 2024 study by The University of Melbourne found that The Push-Up Challenge has significant behavioural change on participants. For example, participants were over three times as likely to adopt self-care strategies such as doing more exercise, spending time in nature, connecting with a friend or family member or spending time with a pet. And those who reported experiencing a mental health challenge were over twice as likely to seek help.

The Mental Health Foundation’s Shaun Robinson says these are the benefits he’s excited to see as Aotearoa takes on The Push-Up Challenge, “the more kōrero we can get happening in workplaces, schools and gyms as people talk about why they’re doing 2,000 push-ups, the more we break down the stigma around mental distress so people feel more comfortable asking for help if they need it.”

It’s not too late to take part. Sign up for free as an individual, or a team at www.thepushupchallenge.co.nz

About The Push-Up Challenge

Founded by Nick Hudson in Perth, Australia in 2017, The Push-Up Challenge began as a challenge between four friends and has grown to become one of the world’s most successful international mental health and fitness events. 2026 will mark The Push-Up Challenge’s tenth year in Australia and first in New Zealand. The Challenge is a fun way for participants to connect with one another, get fit, and learn about mental health, with participants encouraged to raise money for mental health charities. The event is free to take part in and will run in New Zealand from 5 to 27 February. For more information and to register, visit www.thepushupchallenge.co.nz

About the Mental Health Foundation

The Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand (the MHF) has been the nation’s trusted, independent voice for better mental health for almost 50 years. The funds raised during The Push Up Challenge will help the MHF to:

• promote everyday actions people can take to lift their wellbeing
• create and share resources and tools to support people and their loved ones through tough times
• advocate for a better mental health system and society.

For more visit: www.mentalhealth.org.nz

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