Gumboot Friday Expands Free Youth Counselling with $24M Govt Backing

Thousands of young New Zealanders are gaining faster access to mental health support thanks to the continued expansion of the Gumboot Friday initiative, now backed by a $24 million Government investment. Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey joined the team today in a show of support for the grassroots programme, which has rapidly grown to become a lifeline for struggling youth.

The initiative, run by mental health advocacy organisation I Am Hope, provides free counselling for young people in need—bridging the gap between the public health system and the growing mental health needs of New Zealand's youth.

Fast-Tracked Support for Young People

“We are turning the corner with reducing wait times and increasing the mental health workforce,” Minister Doocey said. “Initiatives like Gumboot Friday are helping drive that change in a practical and people-focused way.”

In just its first 12 months of Government-funded expansion, Gumboot Friday has delivered over 30,000 free counselling sessions, supporting more than 10,000 young New Zealanders. These sessions often come with wait times of just a few days, a significant improvement on the delays commonly seen in the public mental health system.

“There are not many organisations that can get our young people off waitlists into counselling often within just a few days,” said Doocey.

Growing the Counselling Workforce

The initiative has also seen a major expansion in its workforce, with more than 700 qualified counsellors now registered on the Gumboot Friday platform—a 33% increase over the past year. That equates to an additional 175 counsellors, offering young people greater choice in who they talk to and where they access help.

This growing pool of counsellors ensures that youth in both urban and rural areas are supported, with a focus on timely, local, and culturally appropriate care.

Government’s $24 Million Commitment

Gumboot Friday’s growth was made possible by a $24 million commitment over four years, secured as part of the National–New Zealand First coalition agreement in 2023. The funding provides long-term stability to the programme, allowing it to scale operations, retain its counselling workforce, and broaden outreach efforts to connect with more youth.

“This funding has given certainty moving forward for the organisation, for counsellors delivering the service, and most importantly, for young people who rely on it,” Doocey stated.

For the upcoming 2025/26 funding year, the programme is set to deliver 40,000 individual counselling sessions, with the potential to reach up to 15,000 young people.

Scaling Further Over the Next Year

Looking ahead, Gumboot Friday is preparing to expand even further. Over the next 12 months, I Am Hope will be exploring how to scale the platform to ensure even more young people can access free counselling, particularly in regions and communities where services have historically been hard to reach.

Doocey praised the ongoing efforts of I Am Hope, saying, “I want to acknowledge the tireless work of the team. This is a powerful partnership between Government and a grassroots organisation that’s making a real difference in the lives of many New Zealanders.”

A Model of Grassroots-Government Collaboration

Gumboot Friday represents a new model of mental health delivery in New Zealand—combining the reach and resources of government with the flexibility and responsiveness of community-led services. This hybrid approach is being heralded as a potential template for future health partnerships, particularly in mental health and youth services.

The programme has also won public favour thanks to its non-clinical, youth-friendly approach, its transparency in reporting outcomes, and its focus on accessibility and choice.

Supporting a Generation

With youth mental health issues on the rise globally, the success of Gumboot Friday is a significant achievement. Its continued growth and government backing suggest a commitment to creating a system that acts early, listens deeply, and responds quickly to the needs of young people.

“Gumboot Friday isn’t just about counselling,” said Minister Doocey. “It’s about hope, empowerment, and community. It’s helping build a better future for our young people—one conversation at a time.”