New Zealand Rugby Throws Support Behind Mitey's 2026 Campaign For Young Kiwis' Mental Wellbeing

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – New Zealand Rugby is supporting Sir John Kirwan's Mitey mental health education programme in 2026, with the All Blacks and Black Ferns helping raise awareness of the importance of positive mental wellbeing for young New Zealanders.

The support reflects a shared belief in giving children the tools, language and confidence to build resilience from an early age. Having experienced the pressures of performing on the world stage, the All Blacks and Black Ferns understand the value of developing strong mental skills and are proud to support Mitey's work.

All Black Anton Lienert-Brown, a Mitey ambassador said:

"I've learned how important it is to have the right tools and support around you, especially when things can feel tough. It's something we've all experienced, which is why the All Blacks are proud to support Mitey and the work it's doing to help young New Zealanders build those skills from an early age. Most importantly, Mitey is working. It is already making a difference for thousands of tamariki and we want to help raise awareness and funds so that it can reach many more. “

Developed by the Sir John Kirwan Foundation, Mitey is New Zealand’s leading school-based mental health education programme. Through a school wide ethos and curriculum delivered from years 1- 8, Mitey builds mental health capabilities in children before they transition into their teens. To date, it has equipped over 100,000 primary and intermediate aged school children to understand their emotions, ask for help, support others and build healthy relationships.

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According to Sarah Manley, CEO at Mitey, the programme’s success lies in its practical, in-school support model that is applicable to the real-world ups and downs that Kiwi kids face every day.

“We work alongside teachers and school leaders, modelling lessons in the classroom and helping embed positive mental wellbeing across the whole school environment and that’s what creates lasting change,” Manley said.

Ex-All Black Sir John Kirwan, is a long-time mental health advocate and founder of the Sir John Kirwan Foundation believes Mitey’s expansion into more schools and communities is one of the most important investments New Zealand can make.

“We know our youth suicide rates are too high, but getting to the heart of why that is, is complex,” Kirwan said. “The world has changed dramatically – and young people today are dealing with very different pressures. That is why it takes a ‘Mitey Team’ to raise mentally thriving kids.”

Developed alongside the University of Auckland and New Zealand educators, Mitey’s mental health education programme aligns with the New Zealand curriculum and is designed to embed mental health education into everyday learning as an ordinary subject, just like literacy and maths.

“Mitey helps equip our Tamariki with the skills, knowledge and understanding they need to deal with pressure and their place in the world, when life gets tough,” he adds.

Later this August, Mitey will launch the Mitey Recruitment Drive – a nationwide fundraising campaign led by Sir John Kirwan, inviting New Zealanders to join or support the team behind Kiwi kids. Travelling the country with the Bledisloe Cup®, the campaign will rally communities through local events, fundraising dinners and other initiatives as excitement builds towards the Bledisloe Cup Test between the All Blacks and Australia in Auckland on 10 October. Ultimately, raising awareness and funds for Mitey, helping more children develop the skills to tackle life's toughest moments.

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