A $330 donation is enough to provide a full year of access to the Graeme Dingle Foundation’s Kiwi Can programme and change the life of a young New Zealander.
Will you consider making this possible for a child? Donate Now.
Kiwi Can is a life skills and values-based programme delivered in primary and intermediate schools across Aotearoa by the Graeme Dingle Foundation.
The programme, designed for tamariki aged 5 to 12, focuses on building confidence, resilience, emotional regulation and social connection during a critical stage of development.
Delivered weekly throughout the school year by the Graeme Dingle Foundation, Kiwi Can sessions are led by trained facilitators known as Kiwi Can Leaders, who act as consistent role models for students. The programme is delivered to entire schools, ensuring all children can participate regardless of background or circumstance.
More than 14,500 young people take part in its programmes each year across 69 schools nationwide. To date, over 400,000 children have benefited from programmes delivered by the Graeme Dingle Foundation – a connected pathway of programmes that support young people through key stages of growth, from early childhood through to early adulthood.
Early Intervention at a Critical Age
Kiwi Can is the crucial foundational stage within the Graeme Dingle Foundation’s wider youth development pathway – available to children from as soon as they start school.
The early years of schooling are widely recognised as a key period for developing behavioural patterns, social skills and self-belief that set the scene for pathways later in life. Research highlights that children who build strong foundations in confidence, resilience and connection are more likely to experience positive outcomes across education, wellbeing and future employment.
Kiwi Can embeds these capabilities early, through consistent, structured engagement over time.
Tamariki who have been part of the Kiwi Can programme demonstrate real-world application of resilience, respect, and integrity (not just recall) along with improved emotional regulation – managing anger, resolving conflict, navigating challenges, increased confidence during major transitions, such as moving between schools and stronger empathy and social awareness in how they relate to others.
“I like everything about Kiwi Can even discussions because I love to hear stories and learn about things, and try to become a better person.” – Kiwi Can Student, Kereru Park Campus.
A $330 donation will enable a child to access the programme for a full year. Donate now.
Measurable Impact in Schools
The Graeme Dingle Foundation measures the impact and effectiveness of its programmes consistently to ensure strong outcomes for young people — and to provide transparency for supporters and donors on the difference their investment is making.
School leaders report that the programme contributes to noticeable improvements in student behaviour and school culture.
Reported outcomes include:
- improved cooperation and peer relationships
- increased listening and engagement
- reductions in bullying and truancy
These outcomes reflect the impact of consistently building core life skills such as emotional regulation, resilience, and positive social behaviour.
The programme focuses on core values such as integrity, respect and resilience, delivered through interactive and practical learning experiences.
“Kiwi Can has been instrumental in enabling a whole-school culture shift at our Kura. Students have been given the opportunity to develop a strong foundation of values and life skills that will serve them not only through their school years but also into their futures. As a school, we have seen how Kiwi Can complements our vision – Rise to the Challenge (Kawe Ake te Manuka).” – Chris Jessop, Principal, Forest Lake School
Passionate and Inspiring Leaders
Our Kiwi Can leaders work ahead every day across Aotearoa to inspire the tamariki they work with. For these young people – the Kiwi Can programme is a highlight of the school year.
Val Fasavalu has been with the Graeme Dingle Foundation for 9 years and is a proud Kiwi Can Leader working across schools in all of Auckland. Val says for her, the highlight is seeing our Tamariki thrive every time they step in to a Kiwi Can lesson. I love seeing our kids grow in confidence and believe in themselves. I also love seeing our Kiwi Can Leaders continuously lead with purpose and passion. Our tamariki love to learn from them.
She says becoming a Kiwi Can Leader was the best decision I made as a young youth worker. I’ve grown more confident in working with our students.
Responding to Growing Pressures
Kiwi Can, and other Graeme Dingle programmes, operate within a broader national context of increasing pressure on young people.
Recent data indicates rising levels of child poverty, mental distress, and educational disengagement across New Zealand.
At the same time, youth-focused research shows that many whilst many youth experience lower levels of connection, opportunity and social cohesion – young people remain aspirational. We turn that aspiration into possibility. We do that with the help from our generous donors. Will you consider donating and supporting a young person to access our life changing programmes? Donate now.
The Graeme Dingle Foundation highlights the importance of early, preventative approaches that build capability before issues escalate. Says Sir Graeme Dingle himself – “Our programmes focus on causes not symptoms. This has always been very important to us. We equip young people to be successful and reach their true potential. We have been offering these programmes for over 30 years – but today, the need has never been greater”.
A Long-Term Investment
Kiwi Can forms part of a staged model of support offered by the Graeme Dingle Foundation that includes programmes focused on belonging, re-engagement and future pathways in later years.
The impact of these programmes is proven. Independent analysis by Infometrics has found that every $1 invested in the Foundation’s programmes returns $10.50 in social and economic value, through improved employment outcomes, reduced justice system costs and lower long-term welfare dependency.
Changing lives with your donation.
A donation of $330 covers the cost for one child to participate in Kiwi Can for a full year.
This contribution enables consistent, in-school delivery of the programme, ensuring children have access to structured support during key developmental years.
As demand for youth support continues to grow, initiatives such as Kiwi Can are increasingly important as part of a broader effort to strengthen early intervention and long-term outcomes for tamariki demonstrate real-world application of resilience, respect, and integrity (not just recall) people in Aotearoa.
Not all mountains can be seen. To some they can seem insurmountable.
We can move mountains – with your help.
Find out more about other programmes offered by the Graeme Dingle Foundation and our proven impact.