One Step, One Arm stroke, One Conversation

Now Kicking off on April 11th
The team have made the difficult decision to postpone the challenge. The National State of Emergency in place due to the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle requires the focus be firmly on keeping everyone safe and supporting those affected by the weather.

A group of passionate Kiwis, including some of New Zealand’s favourite former athletes, are taking part in a gruelling physical and mental challenge to raise awareness and money for youth mental health in New Zealand.

Raising funds for free kids counselling

With the generosity and support of New Zealanders we will continue to supply private care and counselling for young people in distress.

3939

Sessions funded

Due Drop Hope Challenge 2023

16-day relay event to Swim–Bike–Run from Cape Reinga to the Beehive in Wellington

The Due Drop Hope Challenge, sponsored by Due Drop Foundation, is a 16-day relay event to swim/bike/run the length of the North Island, from Cape Reinga to the Beehive in Wellington, to raise awareness about the struggles young people face accessing counselling, despite a $1.5 billion investment by the current government.

“The wait times for our kids to see a mental health professional are getting longer and it seems we are becoming more reliant on medication to fill the void. This challenge is the ideal opportunity to promote our free counselling service Gumboot Friday and inform Kiwis that there is an alternative to these excruciatingly long wait times and medication,” says Mike King.

Tri-ing to Keep Up: TRACKING THE TEAM's AWESOME PROGRESS

legendary Kiwis rise to the occasion

Kicking off on April 11th, it will be run, cycled and swam by All Black Hall of Famer, Ian Jones MNZM, better known as the "kamo kid", and former World Triathlon champion, Commonwealth Games Triathlon champion and Commonwealth Games swimmer Rick Wells.

The event will conclude with a hīkoi to Parliament led by I Am Hope and Gumboot Friday founder Mike King, where he will meet with a government representative to convey the group’s concerns regarding the critical need for leadership and decisive action on improving youth mental health in New Zealand.

“Encouraged by our previous efforts in the Great Barrier Challenge, we hope to raise money and awareness around mental health for Mike King’s I Am Hope and Gumboot Friday charities. The distance between Cape Reinga and Parliament is 1,063 kilometers, and our goal is to raise enough money to cover 1,063 counselling sessions.”
Ian Jones
Former New Zealand rugby player, the Kamo Kid
“New Zealand has one of the highest teenage suicide rates in the world. Everyday our children suffer from depression, anxiety, eating disorders and other mental health challenges, and we need more people to be talking about it, with urgency.
Most of the participants in our group are not professional or seasoned athletes, but we’re putting ourselves through acute pain in the hope of the country taking notice of the pain our children are in.”
Rick Wells
Former World Triathlon champion
King, who has been training with the group for the biggest physical challenge of his life, points out once again, legendary Kiwis rise to the occasion to get our rangatahi the help they need.
“Inaction is injustice, and we’re taking action. If those in power won’t do anything about our kids’ suffering, we will, and we are. Who knows if I’ll make it out the other end of this, but I am going all in.”
Mike King
Mental health advocate

How to get Involved

There are several ways to get involved with the Due Drop Hope Challenge: become a sponsor by helping financially, by providing food or equipment for the event, make a donation, or come along to the community talks (which will be announced closer to the event). Check out our social pages for updates and information on the event: @gumbootfriday and @duedrophopechallenge

Contact us about sponsorship/support

In your Community

We're organising a series of community events open to people of all ages. Come join us, we can't wait to see you there!

You can download and print our posters to display in your street-facing window or somewhere visible to the public, letting everyone know about our upcoming community events in your town. Thank you for your support in spreading the word!

check out community events near you and download posters

At your workplace, gym or club

We challenge your workplace, gym or club to get behind the boys and do your own version of a triathlon.

download workplace/ club poster

At your school or pre-school

Organise a run, bike or water activity, then challenge another
school, classroom or pre-school to do their own "triathlon"!

download school poster

Colouring competition

Let your little ones showcase their creativity and imagination by participating in the colouring competition.

download colouring page

participants

Ian Jones says the group of likeminded and probably “somewhat crazy old mates” are putting themselves through their paces to bring to the forefront the hopelessness and profound suffering that afflicts young people in New Zealand, driving New Zealand’s “absolutely tragic” suicide statistics.

Ian Jones

All Black Hall of Famer, better known as the "kamo kid"

Rick Wells

Former World Triathlon champion and a legend of swimming

David Mitchell

Auckland businessman and keen swimmer

Richard Hart

Auckland real estate guru and comic relief expert

Karim Rostami

Polio virus survivor for whom walking again was considered a miracle

Geoff Evison

Auckland IT professional and keen international swimmer

Mike King

Founder of I Am Hope and Gumboot Friday

Richie Barnett

Former international rugby league star

16-day relay event Route

Swimming–Biking–Running the length of the North Island

On the way down the North Island, the athletes and their supporters will engage with local iwi, communities, schools, and businesses to encourage participation, whether it be running a kilometre with the team or meeting them at the finish line.

Follow the team's journey on Instagram: @gumbootfriday and @duedrophopechallenge

Day 0 – Monday April 10th
Houhora

Meet the team at the finish point

Four Square Houhora @ 4-5 PM
Day 1 – Tuesday April 11th
MANGONUI

Meet the team at the finish point

Four Square Mangonui @ 4-5 PM

Community event for all ages

Mangonui Hotel @ 6.30 PM
Day 2 – Wednesday April 12th
RUSSELL

Meet the team at the finish point

Four Square Bay @ 4-5 PM

Community event for all ages

Duke of Marlborough @ 6.30 PM
Day 3 – Thursday April 13th
ONE TREE POINT

Meet the team at the finish point

Four Square Marsden Cove @ 4-5 PM

Community event for all ages

Land & Sea Cafe @ 6.30 PM
Day 4 – Friday April 14th
NORTHCOTE POINT

Community event for all ages

Hotel Ponsonby @ 6.30 PM
Join the crew for a chat over a special brew
Day 5 – Saturday April 15th
Auckland

Community event for all ages

Royal Yacht Squadron @ 9-9.30 AM
Bring the family, have a coffee with the team

Walk with us to Okahu Bay @ 10-12 PM Farewell the team as they waka out of Okahu Bay

CLEVEDON

Community event for all ages

Hallertau Brewery @ 6.30 PM
Day 6 – Sunday April 16th
WHANGAMATA

Meet the team at the finish point

New World Whangamata @ 4-5 PM

Community event for all ages

Whangamata Surf Club @ 6.30 PM
Day 7 – Monday April 17th
Mount Maunganui

Meet the team at the finish point

Pak n' Save Papamoa @ 4-5 PM

Community event for all ages

Papamoa Surf Club @ 6.30 PM
Day 8 – Tuesday April 18th
WHAKATANE

Meet the team at the finish point

New World Whakatane @ 4-5 PM

Community event for all ages

The Comm Whakatane @ 6.30 PM
Day 9 – Wednesday April 19th
LAKE TARAWERA

Community event for all ages

Lake Tarawera community hall @ 6.30 PM
Day 10 – Thursday April 20th
TAUPO

Community event for all ages

Plateau Bar + Eatery @ 6.30 PM
Day 11 – Friday April 21st
NEW PLYMOUTH

Meet the team at the finish point

Bell Block rugby club @ 4-5 PM

Community event for all ages

Stumble Inn & Cafe @ 6.30 PM
Day 12 – Saturday April 22nd
WHANGANUI

Meet the team at the finish point

Cooks garden @ 4-5 PM

Community event for all ages

The barracks sports club @ 6.30 PM
Day 13 – Sunday April 23rd
TAIHAPE

Community event for all ages

Awastone café @ 6.30 PM
Day 14 – Monday April 24th
Foxton beach

Meet the team at the finish point

New World Foxton @ 4-5 PM

Community event for all ages

Ocean Beach Eatery @ 6.30 PM
Day 15 – Tuesday April 25th
Paraparaumu

Meet the team at the finish point

Pak n' Save Kapiti @ 4-5 PM

Community event for all ages

Kapiti Boat Club @ 6.30 PM
Day 16 – Wednesday April 26th
Parliament steps

Our sponsors

Our generous corporate partners wholeheartedly support Gumboot Friday.

Cover our CHARITY costs

Costs are covered by the generous donors who give to I AM HOPE. If you would like to make a donation, please go here: Donate to I AM HOPE.