From a bungy jump in Hanmer Springs to adrenaline-fuelled drops in Auckland and Rotorua, the Graeme Dingle Foundation’s Drop Your Boss returns in 2026 with events across three regions and familiar faces taking part.
Two-time Rugby World Cup winner and former All Blacks captain Kieran Read and Eat Well for Less NZ presenter Ganesh Raj are among the New Zealanders getting behind the Graeme Dingle Foundation’s Drop Your Boss fundraising challenge this November.
With events in Auckland, Hanmer Springs and Rotorua, the 2026 campaign brings together established regional fundraising efforts, giving business leaders, workplace teams and everyday Kiwis opportunities to support young people across Aotearoa.
Read, who won the Rugby World Cup with the All Blacks in 2011 and 2015 and later captained the team at the 2019 tournament, will swap the rugby field for a different kind of challenge: a 35-metre bungy jump from the historic Waiau Ferry Bridge in Hanmer Springs.
Read will be joined in the campaign by familiar faces including food educator and television presenter Ganesh Raj, best known as a co-host of TVNZ’s Eat Well for Less NZ and a 2026 New Zealand Screen Awards finalist for Screen Personality of the Year. Business leaders including Colliers New Zealand Executive Chairman Mark Synnott are also taking part to raise funds for young people.
This year’s campaign features three adrenaline-fuelled experiences:
Auckland, 18 November: A SkyRide from Auckland’s Sky Tower, taking participants 192 metres up before a high-speed descent.
Hanmer Springs, 18 November: A 35-metre bungy jump from the Waiau Ferry Bridge over the Waiau River.
Rotorua, 20 November: A 43-metre free fall at Velocity Valley, with participants dropping into a giant safety net below.
And despite its name, Drop Your Boss isn’t just for bosses. Anyone willing to challenge themselves, rally their networks and raise money for a good cause can take part.
Every dollar raised supports the Graeme Dingle Foundation’s positive youth development programmes, helping tamariki and rangatahi build the confidence, resilience and life skills they need to overcome obstacles and realise potential.
For Read, the challenge is an opportunity to help more young people benefit from the Foundation’s programmes.
“I’ve faced a few pressure situations in my career, but standing on the edge of a bungy platform might be a different story!
“What I love about this challenge is what the fundraising can make possible. The Graeme Dingle Foundation gives young people opportunities to build confidence, resilience and practical skills that can make a real difference in their lives. If taking the leap helps more Kiwi kids access that support, I’m all in.”
Colliers Executive Chairman Mark Synnott is also backing the campaign, recognising the important role businesses and their people can play in supporting the next generation.
“In business, we talk a lot about leadership, resilience and the importance of taking opportunities. This is a chance to put some of that into practice, while supporting something that really matters.
“The Graeme Dingle Foundation is doing important work helping young people build the confidence and skills they’ll carry with them throughout their lives. I’m proud to be part of a challenge that brings the business community together to support that.”
The involvement of organisations such as Colliers, Bidfood, SAP, Robert Walters and ITW demonstrates the breadth of support from New Zealand’s business community, with participants putting themselves forward to raise awareness and funds for young people.
For television presenter and food educator Ganesh Raj, taking part in Drop Your Boss is an opportunity to step outside his own comfort zone while helping more young people benefit from the Foundation’s programmes.
“The Graeme Dingle Foundation does incredible work helping young people build confidence, resilience and the skills to take on life’s challenges. If taking the plunge helps more Kiwi kids access that support, then I’m all in,” says Ganesh.
The Graeme Dingle Foundation reached 24,000 young people across Aotearoa in 2025, helping them develop self-belief, navigate challenges and create positive futures.
Last year’s Drop Your Boss challenge saw 32 brave participants take the leap from Auckland’s Sky Tower, raising more than $100,000.
With the campaign bringing together events in three regions and welcoming participants from all walks of life, the Foundation hopes 2026 will build on that success.
Whether it’s taking the leap themselves, nominating a boss or colleague, or getting behind someone brave enough to sign up, New Zealanders are being encouraged to get involved.
Register, nominate someone or support a participant at dropyourboss.co.nz.
Friends, whānau, colleagues and supporters are also encouraged to come along and cheer on participants as they take the plunge.