Te Wiki o te Hauora Hinengaro—Mental Health Awareness Week events

Find out about upcoming events for Te Wiki o te Hauora Hinengaro—Mental Health Awareness Week.

Five students talking and colouring at a table in The Bubble.

This page lists events for students and events for both students and staff. We've listed events specifically for staff on the intranet.

All week | Monday 6 October | Tuesday 7 October | Wednesday 8 October | Thursday 9 October | Friday 10 October

All week (6–12 October)

Step challenge

Me kori tonu (be active) and step up your taha tinana (physical wellbeing) with a fun two-week challenge (6–19 October) that gets you moving alongside your community.

Skip to class, trek through the bush, stroll along the waterfront, do laps around the coffee machine, and track your progress on the leaderboard while cheering on your fellow steppers.

There are plenty of prizes up for grabs for our top steppers and participants.

Sign up for the step challenge, and closer to the start date, you’ll receive instructions on how to download the app to track your steps.

Hosted by University Recreation for students and staff.

$1 Group exercise classes

Take a full-body approach to your mental health—me kori tonu (be active) and feel good doing it.

For one week only, attend $1 group exercise classes to help you boost your hauora through movement, connection, and fun.

Check out the group exercise programme at Kelburn and Pipitea campuses. Terms and conditions apply. A gym membership is not required to participate.

Hosted by University Recreation for students and staff.

Writing wall

When you tukua (give) a little, it can mean a lot.

Whether a message of hope, a personal reflection, a poem, or a simple thought—your words can inspire, comfort, and me whakawhanaunga (connection).

Take a moment—after a kōrero with a friend, on the bus, in the botanical gardens, between meetings or classes, or after watching a beautiful sunrise or sunset—to jot down your thoughts about the theme ‘Top Up Together’ and swing by the Library’s Writing Wall to share them.

Contribute anonymously or sign your name. Every piece adds to a collective expression of care, resilience, and community.

An assortment of paper and pens will be available.

  • 6–10 October, 9 am–5 pm
  • Mezzanine, Level 2, Library, Kelburn campus.

Hosted by The Library for students and staff.

Zine creation

Explore the art of zine-making. Whether you're a seasoned creator or just curious to me whakawhanaunga (connect) and me ako tonu (keep learning), this is a chance to express your thoughts, share your story, or explore what hauora hinengaro (mental wellbeing) means to you.

  • 6–10 October, 9 am–5 pm
  • Glass Room, Level 2, Library, Kelburn campus.

Hosted by The Library for students and staff.

Chess piece rock painting

Get creative and paint your own chess piece on a rock. This hands-on activity is a chance to me aro tonu (take notice), relax, and express yourself through art.

Send a photo of your creation to libraryevents@vuw.ac.nz during Te Wiki o te Hauora Hinengaro—Mental Health Awareness Week and be into win one of three $5 coffee vouchers for: best single piece design, most creative full set of chess pieces, and best painted chessboard display.

  • 6–10 October, 9 am–5 pm
  • Glass Room, Level 2, Library, Kelburn campus
  • all materials are provided.

Hosted by The Library for students and staff.

Monday (6 October)

Study and connect

Me ako tonu (keep learning) and me whakawhanaunga (connect) with a wellbeing-focused study session.

This pomodoro-timed session is designed to help you stay focused while weaving in intentional wellbeing breaks. Expect moments of calm, connection, and fun between study sprints. Student Learning Advisers and Student Wellbeing Facilitators will be there for advice, support, and friendly chats.

  • 11 am–2 pm
  • Room SU216, The Bubble, Kelburn campus

Hosted by Manawa Ora—Student Wellbeing and Te Taiako—Student Learning for students.

Tuesday (7 October)

Ko au te rongoā, ko te rongoā ko au: Before romiromi—listening to taiao

Slow down and tune in to the taiao (environment) and to one another. Take a gentle walk around campus to me ako tonu (keep learning) and me aro tonu (take notice), exploring the healing presence of native plants and your connection to the natural world.

  • 9.30 am–11.30 am
  • Marae Atea, Ngā Mokopuna, Kelburn campus
  • weather dependent outdoor event
  • register online.

Hosted by Mauri Ora—Student Health and Counselling and Āwhina—Māori Student Support for students and staff.

Paw therapy and positivity

Tukua (give) some aroha to friendly dogs and me whakawhanaunga (connect) with others by writing and empowering message to fellow tauira. You can also bring your knitted or crocheted items to be donated to Crafting Threads of Aroha.

  • 11 am–2 pm
  • Room SU216, The Bubble, Kelburn campus.

Hosted by Manawa Ora—Student Wellbeing for students.

Paw therapy and positivity—a pop-up Bubble

Take a break, pat some beautiful pups, and spread encouragement to fellow tauira by writing an uplifting message that will be distributed on campus.

  • 12 pm–2 pm
  • Room VS204, Te Aro campus.

Hosted by Manawa Ora—Student Wellbeing for students.

Ko au te rongoā, ko te rongoā ko au: Understanding romiromi physical tools and spiritual connections

Me ako tonu (keep learning), by engaging with the physical tools used in romiromi and me whakawhanaunga (connect) spiritually with affirmation cards.

  • 1.15 pm–2.15 pm
  • Room MOKO202, Ngā Mokopuna, Kelburn campus
  • register online.

Hosted by Mauri Ora—Student Health and Counselling and Āwhina—Māori Student Support for students and staff.

Mind over money workshop

Me ako tonu (keep learning) and find out how to boost your hauora alongside your friends and whānau in Te Whanganui-a-Tara without breaking the bank. Discover how the Five Ways to Wellbeing can help you make the most of what our city has to offer for free.

  • 2 pm–3 pm
  • Room SU216, The Bubble, Kelburn campus.

Hosted by Student Finance for students.

Ko au te rongoā, ko te rongoā ko au: Reflexology

Me ako tonu (keep learning), by learning simple hand and foot reflexology techniques to support your tinana (body) and overall hauora. This interactive session encourages me whakawhanaunga (connection), while grounding you in the healing power of touch and the taiao (natural world).

Come with a friend or be paired on the day. Consent will be asked before any touch-based activities.

  • 2.15 pm–3.15 pm
  • Room MOKO202, Ngā Mokopuna, Kelburn campus
  • register online.

Hosted by Mauri Ora—Student Health and Counselling and Āwhina—Māori Student Support for students and staff.

Wednesday (8 October)

Wander the waterfront

Take a break from study and enjoy a gentle walk along the waterfront. This is a chance to me kori tonu (be active), me whakawhanaungatanga (connect) with others, and me aro tonu (take notice) of the beauty around you.

Enjoy relaxed kōrero with fellow students and staff as you walk—you don't need to go for the full hour to participate.

  • 10 am–11 am
  • Meet in Room GBG20, Pipitea campus
  • weather dependent.

Hosted by Te Kauhanganui Tātai Ture—Faculty of Law and the Law Students Society for students and staff.

Mental Health Awareness Week expo

Me whakawhanaunga (connect) at the Mental Health Awareness Week expo, hosted by VUWSA. You’ll get to kōrero with mental health service providers from across Te Whanganui-a-Tara, including support teams here at Te Herenga Waka.

Enjoy delicious kai from food trucks, me kori tonu (be active) in a movement class hosted by University Recreation, and whakahoahoa (make friends) and tukua (give) alongside Kaihuawaere Manawa Ora—Student Wellbeing Facilitators at the Bubble pop-up—where you can chill out and write empowering messages for tauira.

  • 10.30 am–3 pm
  • Atrium, Level 2, SU, Kelburn campus.

Hosted by VUWSA for students and staff.

Ko au te rongoā, ko te rongoā ko au: Self-healing techniques

Me ako tonu (keep learning), by engaging with how romiromi, a traditional Māori healing practice, can be applied to different parts of the tinana (body). This session is an opportunity to me whakawhanaunga (connect) and offers insight into how touch and energy work contribute to holistic wellbeing.

There may be an opportunity to practice—consent will be asked on the day. You're welcome to bring a friend or be paired with someone.

  • 1 pm–3 pm (this may go till 4 pm depending on the energy of the space)
  • Room MOKO202, Ngā Mokopuna, Kelburn campus
  • register online.

Hosted by Mauri Ora—Student Health and Counselling and Āwhina—Māori Student Support for students and staff.

Storycraft

Me ako tonu (keep learning) and me whakawhanaunga (connect) through creativity and kōrero.

Storycraft is Manawa Ora—Student Wellbeing’s peer support creative writing group—whether you’re a new or experienced writer, come along. Explore the theme of support—from loved ones, self-care, or hobbies that help you recharge.

Come along to meet new people, share some kai, and write about moments of kindness, resilience, connection, or unexpected sources of strength.

  • 2 pm–4 pm
  • Room SU220, Kelburn campus.

Hosted by Manawa Ora—Student Wellbeing for students.

Thursday (9 October)

Ko au te rongoā, ko te rongoā ko au: Understanding and practicing romiromi

Me ako tonu (keep learning), by learning how to give romiromi, a traditional Māori healing practice, and explore how it differs from mirimiri, massage, and other methods. This session offers insight into how healing touch works across different parts of the tinana (body).

There will be an opportunity to give and receive romiromi—consent will be asked on the day. You're welcome to bring a friend or be paired with someone.

Hosted by Mauri Ora—Student Health and Counselling and Āwhina—Māori Student Support for students and staff.

Screen free stroll

Step away from screens, stretch your legs, and me aro tonu (take notice) of the scenery around you as you stroll along the waterfront with fellow students and staff. Come on your own, bring a friend, or me whakawhanaunga (connect) with a new one along the way.

  • 9.50 am–11 am
  • Meet in the Atrium, Te Aro campus
  • weather dependent.

Hosted by Te Wāhanga Waihanga-Hoahoa—Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation for students and staff.

Paws for a mindful moment

Take a moment to chill with some floofy dogs and reflect on your hauora through engaging activities based on Pacific health models.

  • Thursday 9 October, 11 am–2 pm
  • Room SU216, The Bubble, Kelburn campus.

Hosted by Manawa Ora—Student Wellbeing for students.

Ko au te rongoā, ko te rongoā ko au: Hanga rongoā—bath salts, balms & traditional healing

Me ako tonu (keep learning), by learning to make your own bath salts and balms while exploring your connection to the taiao (natural world) and tinana (body). Discover how everything is interconnected through the lens of reflexology, romiromi, and mirimiri—traditional Māori healing practices. We’ll also discuss the role of Atua Māori in personal and collective wellbeing.

Touch may be involved—consent will be asked on the day. You're welcome to bring a friend or be paired with someone.

Hosted by Mauri Ora—Student Health and Counselling and Āwhina—Māori Student Support for students and staff.

Friday (10 October)

World Mental Health Day Market

Celebrate the end of the trimester and World Mental Health Day.

Join us for a vibrant multicultural event with international kai, music, karaoke, and fun activities. Explore hauora across cultures, connect with student groups and support services at Te Herenga Waka.

Share your thoughts on a wellbeing wall and you’ll go into a draw with exciting prizes.  

Me ako tonu (keep learning), me whakawhanaunga (connect), and celebrate community, culture, and mental health awareness.

Nau mai, haere mai.

  • 11 am–2 pm
  • The Hub, Kelburn campus.

Hosted by Te Haumiri—International Student Experience for students and staff.

Furry friends and hauora quiz

Come chill with some adorable doggos and test your mātauranga hauora (wellbeing knowledge) in a fun, interactive quiz.

It’s a great way to take a break, learn something new, and boost your hauora.

  • 11 am–2 pm
  • Room SU216, The Bubble, Kelburn campus.

Hosted by Manawa Ora—Student Wellbeing for students.

Paw therapy and positivity—a pop-up Bubble

Relax with some furry friends, grab some kai, and write a heartening message to brighten the day of fellow tauira.

  • 12 pm–2 pm
  • Room GBG20, Common Room, Pipitea campus.

Hosted by Manawa Ora—Student Wellbeing for students.