Mates4Life, Napier (2026)

11/05/2026

Supporting the people who support our community

Recently, the Mates4Life team delivered a Safety Aider workshop with Hato Hone St John - equipping frontline and community responders with practical tools to recognise and respond to signs of distress.

The engagement and kōrero throughout the session reinforced just how important these conversations are, especially for the people supporting our communities every day. But these skills don’t stop in the workplace - they also help people better support one another within their teams, whānau, and homes.

We’re incredibly grateful to work alongside organisations like Hato Hone St John who continue to prioritise the wellbeing of their people while carrying out such important mahi across Hawke’s Bay. 💚

As shared by their Area Operations Manager:
“Suicide is sadly a daily reminder for our St John Ambulance Officers on the frontline in our community. However, we have also had su***de impact on a personal level. So, having the awesome Mates4Life team come and engage with our people at our Ambulance Stations and work with us to increase our awareness amongst each other, has been well received and invaluable.”

Ngā mihi to the Hato Hone St John team for having us. 💚

08/05/2026

Sometimes people just need someone to notice.

If you’ve noticed changes in someone around you lately - maybe they’ve gone a bit quiet, seem withdrawn, or just don’t quite seem themselves - don’t ignore that feeling.

You don’t need to have the perfect words or all the answers. Often, simply checking in and showing someone you care can make a real difference.

As we head into the weekend, take a moment to reach out to the people around you. A conversation, a message, or simply showing up might mean more than you realise.

06/05/2026

💚 The impact behind the work⁠

Every workshop, every conversation, and every connection adds up.⁠
Since launching, Mates4Life has worked alongside hundreds of organisations across Hawke’s Bay - helping equip our community with the confidence to recognise signs of distress, start conversations, and support one another.⁠

So far, our programmes have reached:⁠
✔ 293 partner organisations⁠
✔ Over 9,600 people through Awareness workshops⁠
✔ More than 1,500 trained Safety Aiders⁠
✔ Thousands more through Kai & Kōrero and community sessions⁠

Behind every number is a real person - someone who now feels more confident to check in, notice when something’s not right, and support those around them.⁠

This is what building a stronger Hawke’s Bay looks like - and we’re only just getting started. 💚⁠

If you’ve been thinking about bringing Mates4Life into your workplace or organisation, now is the time to start the conversation.⁠

29/04/2026

For the second year in a row, we’re kicking off Slay May and Maggie’s 100km in May for Tradies Challenge

These two incredible fundraisers are all about getting behind our people, raising awareness, and supporting mental health - particularly within the trades and wider community.

Slay May is a challenge to complete 31 workouts (one each day of May), encouraging people to build positive habits and prioritise their wellbeing

Maggie’s 100km in May is a personal challenge, with Maggie taking on 100km across the month and inviting anyone who wants to get involved to give it a go and join her along the way - all to raise awareness for mental health in the trades

Both initiatives support the work of Mates4Life and our partnership with Spark That Chat, helping drive real conversations and equip more people with the confidence to support one another.

💚 We’d love you to be part of it

Join us for the official kick-off:
📍 Mitre 10 Sports Park
🗓 Friday 1st May
⏰ 7:00am

👉 Find out more, get involved, or support the fundraisers here:
• Slay May Challenge - https://mates4life.org.nz/slay-may-2026/
• Maggie’s 100km in May - https://mates4life.org.nz/run-for-mental-health/

Whether you’re taking part, showing up to support, or backing from the sidelines — it all makes a difference.

Let’s get in behind it. 💚

23/04/2026

This is what it looks like in action

Every workshop is a chance for people to come together, have honest conversations, and build confidence in how they support one another.

These aren’t always easy conversations - but they’re important ones.

And when people leave feeling more confident to check in, to notice, and to start a conversation - that’s where the real impact begins.

This is how stronger communities are built. 💚

20/04/2026

We often feel like we need to have the answers.

To fix it. To solve it. To make things better.

But support doesn’t look like that.

Sometimes it’s just:
💚 Sitting beside someone
💚 Listening without judgement
💚 Letting them know they’re not alone

Being there matters more than saying the perfect thing.

18/04/2026

Bring Mates4Life into your workplace

We’re working with organisations across Hawke’s Bay to equip teams with the skills and confidence to recognise signs of distress, start conversations, and support one another.

Because support doesn’t sit with one person - it’s something we can all be part of when we know what to look for and how to respond.

Our workshops are practical, engaging, and designed to give your team tools they can use every day - at work, at home, and out in the community.

If you’ve been thinking about doing something to support your people, this is a great place to start.

📩 Get in touch to find out how we can work with your team.

17/04/2026

💚 Not sure how to start? You’re not alone.

After last week’s reminder that you don’t need the right words - just the willingness to start - we know that for many people, that first step can still feel like the hardest.

Whether it’s a mate, a colleague, or someone in your team, it’s normal to hesitate.

You might be thinking:
What if I say the wrong thing?
What if they don’t want to talk?

That’s completely normal.

Starting the conversation doesn’t have to be perfect - it just needs to be genuine.

Sometimes it’s as simple as:
👉 “You don’t seem yourself - how are you going?”
👉 “I’ve noticed you’ve been a bit quieter lately.”
👉 “Want to grab a coffee and have a chat?”

In our workplaces and communities, these small check-ins can make a real difference.

Start simple. Stay present. That’s what matters. 💚

02/04/2026

Starting the conversation can feel like the hardest part.

What if I say the wrong thing?
What if I make it worse?

The truth is, you don’t need the perfect words — just the willingness to check in.

A simple “How are you going?” can be the moment someone realises they’re not alone.

31/03/2026

Standing with our community

Across our region, many individuals, teams, and businesses are feeling the weight of uncertainty.

With rising costs, changes across local businesses, and the ripple effects being felt throughout Hawke’s Bay, it’s a tough time for many - whether you’re directly impacted, supporting your team, or navigating the pressure of keeping things going.

To those affected - we see you.
To the businesses doing it tough - we’re thinking of you.
To the people supporting others while carrying their own load - we acknowledge you too.

Times like this can take a toll, and it’s not always easy to talk about it.
If things feel heavy, you don’t have to carry it alone.

And if you notice someone else might be struggling, a simple check-in can go a long way.

We’re here to walk alongside our community through the good times and the tough ones too.

Kia kaha, kia kotahi tātou.

25/03/2026

💚 Strengthening support in rural Hawke’s Bay

We’re incredibly grateful to receive funding from the Joan Fernie Charitable Trust, supporting Mates4Life to deliver su***de prevention training to Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) brigades across rural Hawke’s Bay.

This funding will help us reach communities where access to support can be more limited, and where people often rely heavily on one another. Through this programme, local volunteers will be equipped with the skills to recognise signs of distress, start meaningful conversations, and connect people to the help they need.

At Mates4Life, we believe that anybody can help prevent su***de when they know what to look for and how to respond – and this support allows us to continue building that capability across our region.

"Hawke's Bay's rural communities face some of the highest rates of su***de in the country, and for too long, distance and isolation have been barriers to getting help - now, Mates4Life is addressing that by building genuine local capability where it's needed most. This is meaningful investment in the wellbeing of our communities, and we're proud to be part of it," says JFCT Trustee and Community Funding lead, Ana Apatu.

A huge thank you to the Joan Fernie Charitable Trust for backing this work, and to Fire and Emergency NZ for their ongoing commitment to supporting the wellbeing of their people and communities.

Together, we’re helping ensure support reaches the people and places where it’s needed most – strengthening early intervention and community connection across Hawke’s Bay. 💚

Mates4Life

11/05/2026

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29/04/2026

23/04/2026

20/04/2026

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02/04/2026

31/03/2026

25/03/2026

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