Our Story:

Over 28 years ago, Sir Graeme Dingle and Jo-anne Wilkinson, Lady Dingle had a vision to improve New Zealand’s negative youth statistics. Together they continue to be relentless campaigners, supporters, fundraisers and champions of the charity’s quest to help young New Zealanders achieve their potential.

The Graeme Dingle Foundation works with Aotearoa New Zealand’s tamariki and rangatahi at different life stages, working directly with schools and communities through our programmes. Established in 1995, we are proud to be a leading Child and Youth Development charity.

Our programmes are currently delivered to over 27,000 young people in 10 regions across Aotearoa New Zealand every year. Our vision is to ensure Aotearoa will be the best place in the world to be young.

Our History:

Timeline of Events

1994: Jo-anne Wilkinson and Graeme Dingle meet with Kiwi icons on One Tree Hill – in the presence of about 100 people, including Sir Edmund Hillary, Sir Paul Reeves, Wayne Walden, Pat Booth, Murray Deaker and Arthur Lydiard.

Graeme and Jo-anne announce their intention to establish an organisation designed to impact positively on negative youth statistics in New Zealand

1994 – 1995: Consulting with Communities – Jo-anne and Graeme kayak and tramp 1200 kilometres from Nelson to Auckland, consulting with people and communities.

Project K Trust established May 1995

1995 – 1996: Research and Development – Graeme and Jo-anne do desk-top research and trial formulae for evaluation of the programme

1996 – 1997: First Project K programmes trial in four diverse Auckland sites. Research and Evaluation team established

1999: First Community Partner established in Auckland (North Shore)

2000: Stars programme established and trialled in a South Auckland school. This becomes part of the Kaikohe Coalition – a coalition of HIPPY, Kiwi Can, Stars and Parenting  with Confidence working together in Kaikohe. This initiative led to FYD’s Community Development Strategy (CDS) which is now being established in a number of communities throughout New Zealand.

The endowment fund, called the Graeme Dingle Foundation (GDF) is established

Programmes are established in the Waikato

2001: Hutt Valley – introduces programmes to the region

2002: Canterbury – introduces programmes to the region

2003: Foundation for Youth Development is established as an entity

2003: Hawke’s Bay – introduces programmes to the region

2004: Bay of Plenty – introduces programmes to the region

2006: Kiwi Can programmes in 13 communities are incorporated under the FYD umbrella.

Southland – introduces programmes to the region

2008: MYND programme is incorporated under the FYD umbrella

2011: Marlborough – FYD introduces programmes to the region

2012: MYND Sibling programme trialed.

Five Auckland trusts merged into one

2013: Career Navigator is launched

2015: We celebrate our 20th anniversary

2016: FYD becomes the Graeme Dingle Foundation

2017: Sir Graeme Dingle awarded a KNZM in the Queen’s Birthday honours.

Rotorua – introduces Kiwi Can to the region

2018: Kiwi Can online piloted

MYND Sibling renamed to Kiwi Tahi

Named Charity of Choice for New Zealand Rugby

2019: Over 270,000 kids reached since inception

2020: We celebrate 25 years of empowering Kiwi kids throughout Aotearoa

Download Our History here.