AUT is evaluating the Whanaungatanga Wellbeing Programme, a Fire and Emergency NZ initiative aimed at improving the psychological wellbeing of career firefighters and operational managers. Initially a 12-month project, it has now been extended to run until December 2025, with hopes of becoming a long-term project embedded within Fire and Emergency NZ. Funded by the Movember Foundation, this programme is part of a global effort to address mental health and suicide prevention among first responders and veterans.
AUT played a crucial role in designing and conducting comprehensive surveys in 2023 and 2024, which provided critical insights into the mental health and organisational support perceptions of Fire and Emergency NZ employees. Based on the baseline survey results, targeted interventions were implemented to improve perceptions of organisational support. The extension of funding to 2025 will now allow for the expansion of these interventions and further development of the programme.