The Graeme Dingle Foundation Canterbury is part of a leading organisation in youth development in New Zealand. Our mission is to deliver programmes to children and young people that are proven to bring positive change and have a lasting impact on their well-being.
We deliver these programmes to students aged 5 to 18 in 18 schools across Christchurch. Our programmes reach over 3,370 students every week.
Presently we have three transformational programmes in Canterbury:
- Kiwi Can: our energy-packed, primary school programme, teaching positive relationships, values of respect, integrity and resilience, and developing the soft skills needed for our communities and workplaces of the future.
- Stars: a peer mentoring programme that empowers year 12 and 13 students at Hornby High School and Mairehau High to support year 9 students with the challenging transition to high school. Through weekly group session lead by the senior students, adventure activity days to develop team work and trust, and a community project to enhance a sense of social responsibility and connection to community, Stars enhances resilience, mental health and well-being of all students involved.
- Project K: impacts on a young person at an instrumental time in their lives. Working with year 10 students at Hornby High School, Project K focuses on building self-confidence, life skills and a healthy lifestyle through a wilderness camp, community projects, interaction with other young people and a positive relationship with an external adult mentor.
We help our students to build positive relationships, confidence, resilience, communication skills as well as cooperative learning. Today’s rangatahi and tamariki need to be supported to develop into resilient people who can cope and thrive amongst this ongoing evolution and disruption we experience in our world. They need to learn how to work together, understand other perspectives, collaborate for mutual success, and how to bounce back from setbacks.
Our programmes support the development of these skills and values, so our young people are able to overcome the challenges they face in life. We want every child to know what they have inside is greater than any obstacle.
Sian Neary – General Manager Canterbury Region
Sian joined the Foundation back in November 2011 and brings 25 years of experience in the Not for Profit industry mostly with Youth Development. Sian is well known for her passion, drive and commitment to the communities that she works in. Sian recently won a KiwiBank Local Hero award and a was Semi Finalist for Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year for 2022 recognising those putting in the hard yards for their communities and taking extraordinary action to make Aotearoa a better place.
Sian is a keen sports enthusiast and enjoys playing hockey, cycling and walking with her partner and the family dog Mojo.
Meet our Coordinators
Chris Morland – Project K Coordinator
Chris joined the team in 2018 as a Kiwi Can leader in primary schools in Christchurch. He loves working for the Graeme Dingle Foundation and we are very fortunate to have him in our team, as he is an amazing, inspiring Kiwi Can leader. In 2021 Chris became the Kiwi Can Team Leader taking on a mentoring role within the team, providing support to the Kiwi Can Coordinator.
It has been a long journey for Chris to discover how to use his skills and experience to make a difference in the lives of others. After serving in the British Army for 8 years in Iraq and Afghanistan, he decided the best way to have a positive impact was to teach and work with children and young people.
Chris loves a good adventure and getting lost outdoors in the wilderness. He skis as much as he can in the winter, surfs in the summer, and explores new mountains when he can.
Meet our Kiwi Can Leaders
Isaac Smith – Kiwi Can Leader
Isaac is a graduate of Saint Thomas of Canterbury College. He has been passionate about basketball for most of his life and has coached as well. Outside of basketball, Isaac enjoys playing guitar and is a big fan of live music. He also loves snowboarding and enjoys hitting the slopes whenever he gets the chance.
“I always knew I wanted to do something that mattered, and I am extremely happy to be working for the Graeme Dingle Foundation as a Kiwi Can leader. I love that we get to give the next generation a voice as well as a listening ear”
Isaac’s goal in life is to one day be a real estate agent. We are thrilled to have Isaac in the Kiwi Can space. Our students are too!
Ben McGarvey – Kiwi Can Leader
We welcome to our team Ben. Ben is currently working with us in Hoon Hay Te Kura Kōaka each week on Thursday’s. Ben attended Middleton Grange School and graduated in 2022.
A lover of sports, Ben is in his happy place when playing his sports, however, his main love is cricket and indoor cricket, and he proudly represented Canterbury for indoor cricket last year.
“I have always loved being around children and working with them. For the past 3 years I have been working at an after school program. It was my first job and have loved every minute of working there. I wish to inspire the children that I meet working as a Kiwi Can leader and bring a smile to their faces. I am super excited to be joining the Kiwi Can team!”