Puāwai Project – From Seed to Summit

Poipoia te kākano kia puāwai – Nurture the seed and it will blossom

1. The Seed – Why Puāwai Began

Puāwai was created to give rangatahi the mic — not just to be heard, but to lead solutions in mental health. Instead of adults deciding for youth, Hauora Aotearoa chose to build a platform nā rangatahi, mā rangatahi.
We asked one pātai: “If you had $500 to create change in mental health, what would you do?”

2. The Call-Out & Applications

A national tono was sent out. Over 50 rangatahi applied, sharing real issues — grief, identity, racism, isolation, burnout — and bold solutions through art, movement, podcasts, workshops, wānanga and community groups.
From these, 10 rangatahi were selected, each receiving $500 to activate their kaupapa.

3. Tuākana Mentors

Each teina was supported by pakeke mentors from the mental wellbeing space. Their role was simple: ask questions, hold space, and walk alongside. No directing, no leading — only nurturing insight until it bloomed.

4. The Puāwai Podcast

Before the Summit, the 10 gathered in Pōneke to record the Puāwai Podcast — an honest series on identity, hauora, grief, creativity, and survival. No scripts. No experts. Just rangatahi speaking their truth. These recordings are now being considered as wellbeing resources for schools.

5. Towards the Summit

Planning for the Puāwai Summit was entirely youth-led. Rangatahi designed workshops, panels, invitations, values, and even the goodie bags. It was not an event about them — it was created by them.

6. The Puāwai Summit – Whanganui, MHAW 2025

Over 200 rangatahi gathered to share kōrero, art, movement, storytelling and solutions. Keynotes, panels, performances and healing spaces were led entirely by youth. The wairua was undeniable — hope, tears, mana and mobilisation.

7. Sponsors & Partners

The Puāwai movement was made possible through the support of:

  • JR McKenzie Trust

  • The Lion Foundation

  • Whittaker’s

  • Māia

  • Youthline

  • Mental Health Foundation

  • Create Happy

  • Social Good

  • Clare Foundation

  • Te Pou

  • Lululemon

8. Impact & What’s Next

  • 20,000+ rangatahi reached through podcast & summit

  • Ministry of Education's interest in using Puāwai as a school resource

  • Formation of the Puāwai Rangatahi Advisory Board

  • Planning for Season 2 and Annual National Summits

“We didn’t come to be heard. We came to be handed the mic.”
— Puāwai Rangatahi

Speaking of which, have you checked out our Puāwai Podcast yet?

>>> LISTEN HERE <<<

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