Nōku te Ao: Social Action Grant winners

Jannine is a dedicated kaimahi in the mental health sector with a deep commitment to advocating for underrepresented groups, particularly South Asian children and adolescents.

This project addresses stigma and discrimination related to mental distress in South Asian communities by using culturally sensitive, age-specific storytelling. By modelling emotional literacy and intergenerational dialogue through relatable characters and narratives, these books aim to challenge stereotypes, normalize mental health discussions, and foster inclusion within families, schools, and wider communities.

Matalaoa is devoted to the intersection of cultural identity, mental health, community empowerment and creating safe spaces for Pacific Communities.  

Project Liliu le vai o Sina draws strength from a Samoan tale of Sina, embodying the spirit of Pacific women and the mana of Pacific women. SINA is a talanoa series designed to challenge and transform perceptions and behaviours surrounding mental distress guided by our ancestral knowledge and principles. The series focuses on creating spaces for dialogue, empowerment, and collective action within our communities. 

Thriving Madly is a diverse and inclusive community that journeys with people who have lived experience of mental health and addiction, mental distress, and/or neurodiversity.  

Project Lived experience actions to make social change project aims to provide opportunities for learning and connection for tāngata whaiora journeying with mental distress, addiction, mental health, and neurodiversity. Thriving Madly wishes to bridge the gap and provide education through training on the process, current systems, and ways to move forward to be heard and create social change. 

Take Notice is a Māori Lived Experience Led organisation that advocates alongside tāngata whaiora for oranga hinengaro (mental wellbeing) determined by tino rangatiratanga and mana motuhake (self-determined pathways).  

Project Tūmata Kōkiritia: Shifting the Paradigm amplifies the kōrero of those most impacted by negative stereotypes to challenge beliefs and attitudes that restrict our mana motuhake such as racism, discrimination and social exclusion through delivering a series of wānanga with key audiences.