Mental Health Week 2026: Belonging Matters
12 October, 2026
From mindfulness and movement to community connections, Mental Health Week activities are bringing learners together across Ara.
Ākonga Malachi Taukiri (Barbering) and Samantha Murphy (Mental Health and Wellbeing) who've participated in a video series on on mental health for Ara's Māori Success team
This Mental Health Week, Ara's Priority Groups teams are leading a programme of activities across our campuses that celebrate connection, culture, wellbeing and belonging.
Aligned with this year's national theme, Belonging Matters, the week has been shaped by our Māori, Pacific, Disability and wider learner support teams, creating opportunities for ākonga to connect with each other, explore wellbeing in different ways and learn about the support available to them.
Activities across campuses
Timaru | Tuesday 13 October | Student Lounge | 11.30am-1pm
Learners are invited to slow down and reconnect through activities centred on the theme Give: Your time, your words, your presence. The session offers space to unwind, reset and connect through mindfulness activities that encourage participants to be present with themselves and others.
Manawa | Wednesday 14 October | Ground Floor | 12pm-1pm
The Manawa community will come together for a lively Be Active session featuring Zumba and Siva led by Vui Suli Tuitaupe and Talanoa. The lunchtime event celebrates movement as a way to support wellbeing, with the theme Do what you can, enjoy what you do, move your mood.
Woolston | Wednesday 14 October | Pit Area | 7.30am-9am
At the Woolston campus, the focus is also on Be Active, with learners invited to grab breakfast, connect with others and take part in activities that test speed and strength. The event is designed to bring people together while highlighting the positive impact physical activity can have on wellbeing.
City campus | Thursday 15 October | North Green | 12pm-1pm
This year's City campus activity aligns with the theme Take Notice: Remember the simple things that give you joy, encouraging learners to pause, reflect and appreciate the people, moments and experiences that contribute to their wellbeing.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Expo
A key highlight of the week is Thursday's Mental Health and Wellbeing Expo, which brings together Ara teams and community organisations working across hauora, mental health and wellbeing.
The Expo provides an opportunity for ākonga and kaimahi to meet providers, ask questions and learn more about the support services available in our community. It has been developed through a kaupapa Māori lens alongside contributions from Ara's Pacific and Disability teams and their community partners.
Its purpose, however, extends beyond a single day, as Ara Māori Mental Health and Wellbeing Facilitator Tara-Lee Taukiri explains.
"The Expo is about creating visibility and connection. By helping ākonga and kaimahi become familiar with the organisations that support wellbeing in our community, we hope to make it easier for them to access help when they need it, not just during Mental Health Week but throughout the year."
Taukiri said the event reflects Ara's commitment to strengthening relationships with kaupapa Māori, Pacific and community wellbeing providers, recognising that supporting learner success often requires a network of support that extends beyond our campuses.
"Many of these organisations are doing important work every day. Mental Health Week gives us an opportunity to introduce those services to our learners, start conversations and help build connections that can continue well beyond this week."
Wāhine Māori Wellbeing Day:
Mental Health Week will conclude with Ara's wāhine-led Māori wellbeing wānanga, following a similar kaupapa held for tāne last month. The day provides an opportunity for wāhine Māori to come together in a supportive environment focused on hauora, connection, reflection and whakawhanaungatanga.
While Mental Health Week provides a dedicated opportunity to focus on wellbeing, the message at the heart of this year's theme is simple: belonging matters.
Through the Expo and the wider programme of activities, Ara's Priority Groups teams are helping learners connect with the people, services and communities that support wellbeing throughout the year.