Focusing on Mental Wellbeing in the Eastern Bay

Tawera Nikau NZOM, is one of New Zealand’s most celebrated Rugby League internationals.

Tawera Nikau’s journey is one of overcoming adversity, mental strength, and leadership. He has faced significant life challenges, both on and off the field, and has emerged as a true example of resilience and strength. His story is one of triumph in the face of life’s toughest moments and provides invaluable lessons for anyone looking to grow through adversity.

Tawera spoke with Rangitahi at Tarawera College and Rangitaiki College in the afternoon and at the eventing event at Awakeri event centre.

It was an evening of empowerment, personal reflection, and community support. The audience was captivated by Tawera's honest engaging stories of his league career, his upbringing in rural Huntly, he spoke of his wife's death when their children were young, and of having his leg amputated after a motorcycle accident.

It was an honest gritty story of how to cope, how to move on, having mental strength and why it's important to reach out for help and talk with others.

The audience laughed, cried and reflected during his candid speech.

Rangitaiki College said the key messages for students were the importance of a good work ethic and good attitude.

The opportunity to have Tawera come to the Eastern Bay and speak with two schools and the evening event happened thanks to the Mental Health Pass Through Fund held by the Eastern Bay Community Foundation.

Every year a generous local couple make a donation to the Eastern Bay Community Foundation to be used to support Mental Health Initiatives in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. This fund is a Pass-Through fund meaning that funds are distributed during that financial year. Further donations to this pass-through fund are invited to help support mental health initiatives in our community.