A rugby legend, the Bledisloe Cup and a shot at a world record are heading to Mount Maunganui this weekend as Sir John Kirwan’s Drive for Five tour rolls into town.
Kirwan will visit Blake Park on Saturday as one of 18 stops on a nationwide campaign for the Mitey mental health education programme.
The programme is delivered in 342 schools, including 15 across the Bay of Plenty.
“But another eight are waiting to join Mitey; that’s why this campaign matters. We want to reach those children too,” Kirwan said.
The Drive for Five tour aims to raise $5 million to expand mental health education for kids in primary and intermediate schools across New Zealand.
The tour brings communities together, giving families a fun way to get involved while raising awareness of the importance of mental health education from an early age.
Kirwan said Drive for Five was about helping more Kiwi kids build the skills to tackle life’s “toughest moments”.
“We want children to grow up understanding their emotions, knowing how to look after themselves and feeling confident to ask for help.”
Since 2021, Mitey has helped hundreds of schools embed mental health and wellbeing into everyday school life, from governance to leadership and classroom learning.
“Bringing the tour to Tauranga and Mount Maunganui is a chance to connect with local whānau and bring the community together behind that mission,” Kirwan said.
Sir John Kirwan's Mitey programme is delivered in 342 schools, including 15 across the Bay of Plenty. Photo / Tom Eley
Mitey chief executive Sarah Manley said there was clear demand for increased mental wellbeing education across New Zealand.
“Youth mental wellbeing concerns every single New Zealander, young or old; we are all impacted if a young person faces crisis-point.”
She said the Drive for Five campaign symbolised a “turning point” for young people and New Zealand.
“We know $5 million is a bold target, so [we] are calling on thousands of people, clubs, schools, businesses, and fans to add their effort to something far bigger than themselves.
“Five dollars from one million New Zealanders has the power to create a generational shift in youth mental health for our tamariki.”
The free community event on Saturday gives families the chance to meet the All Blacks great, get up close to the iconic Bledisloe Cup and take part in sports-based activities.
Children can also register for the chance to win a trip to Auckland and a place in the Mitey Match at Eden Park on October 10.
At the match, 521 children will attempt to set a world record in a non-contact rugby curtain-raiser against Kirwan’s team of sporting legends before the All Blacks take on the Wallabies in the Bledisloe Cup test.
Mitey has received 70 Bay of Plenty registrations so far, and two children will be selected to win the Mitey Match prize.
The prize includes travel, accommodation and match tickets for each child and guardian.
At the Bay of Plenty stop, Kirwan said, he wanted families to have a great day and leave knowing that looking after their mental wellbeing matters.
“And for the kids, it’s about having fun, giving it a go and looking out for each other,” he said.
“That’s the Mitey spirit we’ll be looking for when we select two children to join us at Eden Park.”
Drive for Five Tour – Mount Maunganui
What: Free community event featuring Sir John Kirwan, the Bledisloe Cup, sports activities and fundraising for children’s mental health charity Mitey.
When: Saturday, 1.30pm.
Where: Blake Park, Mount Maunganui.
Cost: Free.
Kaitlyn Morrell is a journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University.
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