News

Our How to Leave a Legacy Pack has been created to guide you through the options available for leaving a lasting impact with Whau Foundation. The pack explains two meaningful ways to contribute: By sharing this resource, we hope to make it easier for you to explore these choices and shape the legacy you want to leave. ... Read more

Could you share a summary of your research and what inspired you to pursue it? I’ve been involved in digital mental health research long before it became the buzzword it is today. Back when internet access still meant dial-up, I was already exploring how technology could support young people’s wellbeing. I did my Master’s on ... Read more

You might have received a letter from us recently. We’re grateful to everyone who has taken a moment to learn more about the work of Whau Foundation and why funding mental health research matters. As the only not-for-profit organisation in Aotearoa solely dedicated to facilitating and supporting mental health research, we’re focused on what really ... Read more

Mental health in Aotearoa New Zealand is at a critical crossroads. Despite the efforts of many, challenges continue to grow — and the need for effective change has never been more urgent. At the Whau Mental Health Research Foundation, we’re committed to making that change a reality. Since 1967, the Whau Foundation has been New ... Read more

“I’m so proud to share some big news. I’ve officially joined the Whau Mental Health Research Foundation as an ambassador. This is something that feels incredibly aligned with both my personal journey and the work I have been doing publicly through my podcast Pretty Depressed Over the past few years I’ve had the privilege of having open ... Read more

We are thrilled to welcome Kimberley Crossman as an official ambassador for Whau Foundation. No stranger to audiences across Aotearoa, Kim is also a passionate advocate for mental health, drawing on her experiences to help make meaningful change. “It’s a privilege to stand alongside this incredible team of passionate humans and be part of something ... Read more

Every year, thousands of New Zealanders choose to include a gift to charity in their will. In fact, around 25% of all charity revenue comes from gifts left in wills. We call this ‘legacy giving’ because these people are creating a long-lasting impact that can be felt for years after they’ve gone. We’re are partnering ... Read more

Professor Jim Wright was one of the early recipients of funding from the Whau Mental Health Research Foundation. Over the course of his career, with support from the Foundation and other groups he developed a sophisticated mathematical model of brain function that describes how information processing associated with cognitive function develops, how visual perception occurs ... Read more

Whau Foundation Chairman Emeritus Professor Robert Kydd was invited to join The Nutters Club at Newstalk ZB to share his journey into psychiatry and decades of work in New Zealand’s mental health system. He joined Hamish Williams and psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald o discuss what is working, what needs to change, and how research ensures funding ... Read more

As we look ahead to 2025, we’re focusing on a critical need: anxiety and depression, particularly among young people. These issues are rising rapidly, and with one of the highest youth suicide rates in the OECD, the urgency to act has never been more pressing. Nearly half of New Zealanders will experience mental distress at ... Read more

We are thrilled to announce the recipients of our 2024 granting round. Professor Bruce Arroll is exploring innovative approaches to treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Written Exposure Therapy (WET) is a protocol-driven treatment requiring only five 30-minute sessions, offering equivalent outcomes to the gold standard Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PET), which typically involves twenty sessions. With ... Read more

The Whau Mental Health Research Foundation has officially relaunched! Recently, we celebrated this milestone with an event that brought together an inspiring group of speakers, including past grant recipients and researchers, who shared their stories and the impact of their work. It was an incredible reminder of the difference we can make when we come ... Read more

A leading New Zealand mental health research foundation has rebranded and is targeting a portion of its funding towards anxiety and depression research in New Zealand.

An overview of Fiona Mathieson’s two Whau Mental Health Research Foundation-funded research projects.

An update on the Gauging Risk and Resilience in Teenagers (GRIT) Study.

Exploring the experiences of rainbow people who have accessed mental health support in Aotearoa.

An Update from Dr Rose Crossin on her Research.

As part of our rebrand from Oakley to Whau Mental Health Research Foundation, we developed new hero imagery with Illustrator Sara Moana.

The Whau Mental Health Research Foundation would like to honour the legacy of Phil Recordon, who left an indelible mark on the Foundation and the community.

The research project informs our future service provision to ensure we are providing the best possible support for clients from refugee backgrounds during COVID 19.