Latest news with #Mitey
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
HELL Serves Up ‘The Final Peckoning' To Support Kids' Mental Health
Press Release – HELL Mitey is currently in 227 NZ schools, reaching 75,000 students; however, CEO Sarah Manley says theres growing demand for their service as more tamariki grapple with mental health challenges. Wellington, 23 May 2025 – ' The Final Peckoning' lands in HELL stores across Aotearoa today, aiming to raise $15,000 for Mitey, the school-based mental health programme founded by Sir John Kirwan. $2 from every double-sized pizza sold will go directly to Mitey, supporting its goal to reach 600 schools by the end of 2025. The 'Final Peckoning' was created from T he Edge Afternoon s through a listener-driven topping challenge. Co-host Steph Monks developed the winning flavour, which is loaded with popcorn chicken, cream cheese, onion, green capsicum, and BBQ sauce. Mitey is currently in 227 NZ schools, reaching 75,000 students; however, CEO Sarah Manley says there's growing demand for their service as more tamariki grapple with mental health challenges. 'Unhappy kids don't learn, and one in five will face a mental health issue before they turn 18 – teachers are seeing more children carry big problems on little shoulders,' says Manley. 'Through Mitey, we help schools normalise talking about mental health. Teachers weave it into everyday learning, and our coaches support them every step of the way.' Mitey says that for every $1 invested, there's a social return of $5.80 to all of New Zealand through improved mental health outcomes. Manley says Mitey helps teachers deal with the stuff that gets in the way of learning. 'Kids tell us they can now talk to their parents about their 'head hassles'. One student said Mitey gave them the courage to ask for a counsellor. Teachers say you can feel the tone in the class change after they've taught mental health education. This is an opportunity for New Zealand to come together and create a stronger, healthier generation, delivering on a bold promise of a nation where every child has the skills to flourish for life,' she says Josh Drake, HELL CEO, says supporting young people is part of the brand's DNA, and Mitey tackles the big – and often unspoken – challenges young people face. 'New Zealand's future lies with our tamariki, who need new tools to navigate an increasingly complex world. Life's tough right now – rising costs are putting pressure on families, and the weight of that can fall on our kids. By supporting Mitey, we want to remind people that kids require more than resilience – they need targeted support to thrive. 'If we can play even a small part in that by doing what we do best, it's absolutely worth going to HELL for,' he says. Casey Sullivan, Mediaworks Content Director, hopes Kiwis will come out in droves to support Mitey and Aotearoa's youth. 'We're incredibly grateful that HELL could jump on board and help make this happen. They're the perfect ones to bring it to life, and we can't wait for people to taste 'The Final Peckoning' after helping us create it,' he says. The 'Final Peckoning' is on sale from today and available for a strictly limited time. About HELL Established in Wellington in 1996, HELL has grown to become one of New Zealand's most infamous and well-known brands, with 78 franchises throughout New Zealand and more than 1,200 staff. Behind the irreverent brand, HELL focuses on affordable indulgence, offering Kiwi consumers an ethical option in convenience foods. In 2015, HELL was the first NZ company to offer free-range pizzas and specialises in catering for vegan, vegetarian and meat-loving souls. HELL supports a range of causes, including the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults and IHC's Project Active, and it is an active member of the local communities in which it operates.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
HELL Serves Up ‘The Final Peckoning' To Support Kids' Mental Health
Press Release – HELL Mitey is currently in 227 NZ schools, reaching 75,000 students; however, CEO Sarah Manley says theres growing demand for their service as more tamariki grapple with mental health challenges. Wellington, 23 May 2025 – ' The Final Peckoning' lands in HELL stores across Aotearoa today, aiming to raise $15,000 for Mitey, the school-based mental health programme founded by Sir John Kirwan. $2 from every double-sized pizza sold will go directly to Mitey, supporting its goal to reach 600 schools by the end of 2025. The 'Final Peckoning' was created from T he Edge Afternoon s through a listener-driven topping challenge. Co-host Steph Monks developed the winning flavour, which is loaded with popcorn chicken, cream cheese, onion, green capsicum, and BBQ sauce. Mitey is currently in 227 NZ schools, reaching 75,000 students; however, CEO Sarah Manley says there's growing demand for their service as more tamariki grapple with mental health challenges. 'Unhappy kids don't learn, and one in five will face a mental health issue before they turn 18 – teachers are seeing more children carry big problems on little shoulders,' says Manley. 'Through Mitey, we help schools normalise talking about mental health. Teachers weave it into everyday learning, and our coaches support them every step of the way.' Mitey says that for every $1 invested, there's a social return of $5.80 to all of New Zealand through improved mental health outcomes. Manley says Mitey helps teachers deal with the stuff that gets in the way of learning. 'Kids tell us they can now talk to their parents about their 'head hassles'. One student said Mitey gave them the courage to ask for a counsellor. Teachers say you can feel the tone in the class change after they've taught mental health education. This is an opportunity for New Zealand to come together and create a stronger, healthier generation, delivering on a bold promise of a nation where every child has the skills to flourish for life,' she says Josh Drake, HELL CEO, says supporting young people is part of the brand's DNA, and Mitey tackles the big – and often unspoken – challenges young people face. 'New Zealand's future lies with our tamariki, who need new tools to navigate an increasingly complex world. Life's tough right now – rising costs are putting pressure on families, and the weight of that can fall on our kids. By supporting Mitey, we want to remind people that kids require more than resilience – they need targeted support to thrive. 'If we can play even a small part in that by doing what we do best, it's absolutely worth going to HELL for,' he says. Casey Sullivan, Mediaworks Content Director, hopes Kiwis will come out in droves to support Mitey and Aotearoa's youth. 'We're incredibly grateful that HELL could jump on board and help make this happen. They're the perfect ones to bring it to life, and we can't wait for people to taste 'The Final Peckoning' after helping us create it,' he says. The 'Final Peckoning' is on sale from today and available for a strictly limited time. About HELL Established in Wellington in 1996, HELL has grown to become one of New Zealand's most infamous and well-known brands, with 78 franchises throughout New Zealand and more than 1,200 staff. Behind the irreverent brand, HELL focuses on affordable indulgence, offering Kiwi consumers an ethical option in convenience foods. In 2015, HELL was the first NZ company to offer free-range pizzas and specialises in catering for vegan, vegetarian and meat-loving souls. HELL supports a range of causes, including the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults and IHC's Project Active, and it is an active member of the local communities in which it operates.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
HELL Serves Up ‘The Final Peckoning' To Support Kids' Mental Health
Wellington, 23 May 2025 - ' The Final Peckoning' lands in HELL stores across Aotearoa today, aiming to raise $15,000 for Mitey, the school-based mental health programme founded by Sir John Kirwan. $2 from every double-sized pizza sold will go directly to Mitey, supporting its goal to reach 600 schools by the end of 2025. The 'Final Peckoning' was created from The Edge Afternoons through a listener-driven topping challenge. Co-host Steph Monks developed the winning flavour, which is loaded with popcorn chicken, cream cheese, onion, green capsicum, and BBQ sauce. Mitey is currently in 227 NZ schools, reaching 75,000 students; however, CEO Sarah Manley says there's growing demand for their service as more tamariki grapple with mental health challenges. 'Unhappy kids don't learn, and one in five will face a mental health issue before they turn 18 - teachers are seeing more children carry big problems on little shoulders,' says Manley. 'Through Mitey, we help schools normalise talking about mental health. Teachers weave it into everyday learning, and our coaches support them every step of the way.' Mitey says that for every $1 invested, there's a social return of $5.80 to all of New Zealand through improved mental health outcomes. Manley says Mitey helps teachers deal with the stuff that gets in the way of learning. Advertisement - scroll to continue reading 'Kids tell us they can now talk to their parents about their 'head hassles'. One student said Mitey gave them the courage to ask for a counsellor. Teachers say you can feel the tone in the class change after they've taught mental health education. This is an opportunity for New Zealand to come together and create a stronger, healthier generation, delivering on a bold promise of a nation where every child has the skills to flourish for life,' she says Josh Drake, HELL CEO, says supporting young people is part of the brand's DNA, and Mitey tackles the big - and often unspoken - challenges young people face. 'New Zealand's future lies with our tamariki, who need new tools to navigate an increasingly complex world. Life's tough right now - rising costs are putting pressure on families, and the weight of that can fall on our kids. By supporting Mitey, we want to remind people that kids require more than resilience - they need targeted support to thrive. 'If we can play even a small part in that by doing what we do best, it's absolutely worth going to HELL for,' he says. Casey Sullivan, Mediaworks Content Director, hopes Kiwis will come out in droves to support Mitey and Aotearoa's youth. 'We're incredibly grateful that HELL could jump on board and help make this happen. They're the perfect ones to bring it to life, and we can't wait for people to taste 'The Final Peckoning' after helping us create it,' he says. The 'Final Peckoning' is on sale from today and available for a strictly limited time. About HELL Established in Wellington in 1996, HELL has grown to become one of New Zealand's most infamous and well-known brands, with 78 franchises throughout New Zealand and more than 1,200 staff. Behind the irreverent brand, HELL focuses on affordable indulgence, offering Kiwi consumers an ethical option in convenience foods. In 2015, HELL was the first NZ company to offer free-range pizzas and specialises in catering for vegan, vegetarian and meat-loving souls. HELL supports a range of causes, including the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults and IHC's Project Active, and it is an active member of the local communities in which it operates.
NZ Herald
02-05-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Sir John Kirwan's Mitey mental health initiative launches in Bay of Plenty
The event was attended by Kirwan and representatives of three local schools using Mitey. 'For us, it is a no-brainer,' Carlin said. There was a lot of anxiety for children at school, and they need the tools to help express their emotions in positive, healthy ways. The other attraction for him was that Mitey was administered at no cost to the school. 'People always laugh when we say that, but that's one of the realities. We are always scrimping and saving.' Waihi Beach School had also joined the programme. Principal Rachel Cole said Waihi Beach can be home to a lot of intergenerational trauma and is far away from conventional resources accessible in big cities. 'Our community has higher mental health and suicide statistics in relation to our population,' Cole said. The team from Mitey was working with teachers on the ground at the school, and had shifted the conversation around mental health to an everyday discussion, Cole said. 'It has been powerful to say, 'We're going to talk about this'.' The Mitey programme is designed to be taught to kids before they reach high school, Kirwan said. 'If you look at stats, a lot of our youngsters are harming themselves.' The initiative launched in 2022 and has been rolling out in schools around the country. Kirwan would like to reach 600 schools by the end of this year and eventually see the programme in all 1400 New Zealand primary schools. Kirwan has spoken openly about his mental health struggles and in 2006 became the face of the National Depression Initiative awareness campaign. 'Mitey stemmed from failure. I woke up after being the face of mental health in this country, and the stats are still going the wrong way.' The Sir John Kirwan Foundation built a data-driven curriculum with the support of the University of Auckland, based on a Māori model. He wanted to see New Zealand go from having some of the worst mental health outcomes to the best. 'What is important for me is getting the data so we can see the truth.' According to the most recent available Te Whatu Ora Health NZ data, 579 people took their own lives in 2023, and 108 were under the age of 24. Māori accounted for 23% of suicides in 2023, but only made up 17% of the population. Over 82% of youth view mental health as the most significant issue they face, according to Youthline. Mitey is supported and funded by the Wright Family Foundation, led by Wayne Wright. 'It just made sense,' he said. Wright took a more active role in the Wright Family Foundation after his wife, businesswoman and philanthropist Chloe Wright, died in September 2023. He said the foundation's focus included early childhood care, child health services, music, literacy and maternity wraparound services. Bay of Plenty faces unique challenges that make resources like Mitey particularly valuable, the region's MP Tom Rutherford said. It has diverse communities with different needs, from urban centres to rural areas, along with socioeconomic disparities that impact children's wellbeing. 'By embedding these vital life skills into everyday learning for Years 1-8, we're normalising conversations around mental health from an early age.' There was increasing anxiety and stress in younger age groups across the region, often exacerbated by social media pressures and the aftermath of Covid-19 disruptions, Rutherford said. 'The Mitey program represents exactly the kind of proactive approach we need to be taking with children's mental health.'
