We have been relatively quiet on this Givealittle page…. but, it doesn’t mean we haven’t been busy. Since our Wellness Week last year in May, Te Kiwi Māia ran another programme in September 2022 for 12 first responders and NZDF personnel.
We were able to create opportunities for rest and recreation, psychoeducation regarding mental health and wellbeing, provide our audience with the tools and skills required for building resilience, and for managing stress and burnout. This also provided a safe and inclusive space for strengthening social and peer support networks.
We have had great results from the programmes that we run, and those that attended last year cannot speak highly enough of our course. A huge thank you goes to the team who worked tirelessly on creating our programme. Louise Morgan from Massey University, Rajna Bogdanovic from First Response Health, Lady Joanne Shelford, and our other incredible specialists. To the first responders/NZDF personnel who attended the programme – thank you for trusting us, and helping us shape the future of wellness in New Zealand.
This year we are hoping to run another three programmes, where we can offer our help and support to more first responders and NZDF personnel in need. We are incredibly fortunate to have Wardie, who competed in this year's Celebrity Treasure Island, and won $10,000 for TKM. Also, to the Firefighters who fundraised another $10,000 from their golf competition this year in Taupō. This has set us up with a good amount of funds in the account, which we need to build on (and, if you would like to donate to the next Wellness Week or help in any way, please share the link to our Givealittle page).
“The timing of this retreat could not have come at a better time for me after having a staff member take his own life 2 weeks before the course started, which was extremely challenging for me having to attend the scene and then manage and care for my team who attended their colleague. This has to be the best course I have done in my career. I didn't realise how close I have been to burnout (I think I was actually burnout 18 months ago) and how I wasn't managing my stress, and also how the way I was never letting go of work was affecting myself and my family in a very negative way. Everyone of your team had a massive impact on me, as well as the others on the course, and I don't say this lightly. It has changed my life for the better. The content was on point and exactly what we needed... what you are doing is essential and needed by First Responders in NZ, and is an absolute game changer in my opinion” - Leader’s Retreat, St John
Thank you to all who have helped share Te Kiwi Māia’s vision, and those who have supported us, and helped spread the word. We set up Te Kiwi Māia because we could see a massive gap in first responder/NZDF care, and we are forever grateful to those who are standing with us, and helping us make a difference and move forward in wellness.
