Search Results

Skylight's child protection policy Skylight Trust recognises that it has a duty of care for the safety, welfare, and well-being of tamariki and rangatahi and will act in ways which protect them from all forms of abuse and harm. Skylight Trust asserts that all tamariki and rangatahi have equal rights to protection from abuse, neglect, and exploitation regardless of their gender, race, religion, political beliefs, age, physical or mental health, sexual orientation, whānau and social background, and culture, economic status, or criminal background. The decisions and actions of Skylight Trust in response to any child protection concern will be guided by the principle of “the welfare and best interests of tamariki and rangatahi”. Skylight Trust acknowledges, and will adhere to, the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. All services provided by Skylight Trust for the safety and wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi adhere to the principles of partnership, protection, and participation; and the rights and responsibilities accorded by Te Tiriti o Waitangi. All services provided by Skylight Trust for the safety and wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi have regard to mana tamaiti (tamariki and rangatahi ) – the intrinsic value and inherent dignity derived from a tamariki or rangatahi’s whakapapa and their belonging to a whānau, hapū, and iwi; ensuring the upholding, and protection, of Māori rights and interests, in accordance with the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989. Download the Full Policy You might also be interested in: Te Kunenga Māori Strategy and Action Plan 2025 Privacy policy Contact us

What is trauma? This webinar is presented by Roni who is a Strategic Interventionist/Relationship Educator and works within a trauma-informed practice. Her expertise covers such topics as attachment, addiction, trauma, emotional intelligence, and raising emotionally healthy children in today's stressful society. You might also be interested in: Grief 101 for Parents Counselling... what is it all about?

Guide for schools Whether you're supporting an individual student or your whole school community, Skylight offers practical, evidence-informed programmes and resources to build resilience and wellbeing. We're here to partner with you in creating safe, supportive environments for tamariki and rangatahi. Schools play a vital role in supporting the emotional wellbeing of students — and we’re here to help you do that with confidence and care. Skylight partners with schools across Aotearoa to support students facing grief, loss, trauma, and life’s big transitions. We offer a suite of evidence-informed tools and programmes that help young people build resilience, express their emotions, and feel less alone. Our most well-known programme, Travellers , is designed for Year 9 students and is delivered by trained school staff in small group settings. We provide professional development and facilitator training for teachers, counsellors, and school staff, equipping them with the knowledge and resources to support students effectively. Once trained, your team will gain access to our facilitator library — a growing collection of session plans, worksheets, videos, and wellbeing tools. Skylight also offers tailored support for school communities experiencing critical incidents, bereavement, or collective trauma. Whether you're responding to a specific event or looking to strengthen your whole-school approach to mental wellbeing, we can work alongside you to find the right fit. If you're interested in bringing Travellers to your school, accessing resources, or exploring how Skylight can support your staff and students, we’d love to kōrero. You might also be interested in: Professional development opportunities Guide for young people Guide for parents and carers Other organisations that can help Request a support pack

Advocacy Skylight's submission on: The Suicide Prevention Action Plan (pdf download) We agree that suicide is “not solely a health issue”. We therefore welcome the Draft Plan’s Cross-Government approach to suicide prevention and postvention but think it can go further. The responsibility must sit with all-of-government in collaboration with all sectors, public and private, including communities and non-governmental organisations such as ourselves. The Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi (pdf download) Skylight Trust firmly opposes the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill and regards the Bill as unnecessary, in breach of numerous human rights, children’s rights and Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations. Safety measures for the use of puberty blockers in young people with gender-related health needs (pdf download) Skylight does not support more restrictive regulation for access to puberty blockers for non cisgender individuals, as this is discriminatory. Access should be guided by medical practitioners, informed consent and guidelines as it is now. Consultation on Childhood Palliative Care Models (pdf download) It is time to act. We support moving to the four-hub model to produce equal outcomes across the country cost effectively and most importantly, to enable tamariki, rangatahi and their whānau to live (and die) with dignity and with professional support, as close to home as is possible. Skylight wants to support the mental and physical health of the many tamariki and rangatahi (and their whānau) accessing palliative care. If the four-hub model is not pursued, we favour the two hub model over the status quo Feedback on Oranga Tamariki's Long-Term Insights Briefing (pdf download) Skylight's response emphasises the critical need for a holistic, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive approach to child protection. Success by 2040 hinges on prevention, early intervention, robust support systems, and strong community collaboration. Key changes required include increased funding, better integration of services, and addressing systemic issues such as healthcare access and housing instability. Leveraging existing initiatives and enhancing digital support can further strengthen these efforts. Ultimately, achieving a high economic welfare and social cohesion scenario will require sustained commitment and a unified approach across all sectors. While there are many opportunities and challenges presented by the future, there is much that can be done now. You might also be interested in: Professional development opportunities Our story Te Kunenga Māori Strategy and Action Plan 2025 Our supporters Our partners Governance

Is a Worry Worrying You? An introduction to understanding worries and anxiety You might also be interested in: Practical Strategies for Self-Care and Resilience Good Mood and Food

Kathryn Ross CEO About me After more than 30 years in local and central government in a variety of roles. I joined Skylight because of its mission and values. I love the for-purpose sector and I’m very proud to lead the team. I am committed to improving the lives of tamariki and rangatahi across the motu, empowering our people and the equitable achievement of hauora. I’m very lucky to have a loving (and patient) husband and two wonderful children. Away from the office, I enjoy catching up with whānau and friends, spending time in nature, great coffee, pinot and travel. Next Previous

Professional development opportunities Our team offers tailored training and presentations designed to meet the needs of agencies, organisations, and professionals working with children, young people, and families. What We Offer At Skylight, we believe in empowering professionals and communities with the knowledge and tools to support resilience and wellbeing through life’s toughest times. We deliver engaging, evidence-informed sessions on topics such as: Grief, loss, and trauma-informed practice Supporting children and young people through change Building resilience in families and communities Mental wellbeing and emotional literacy Responding to distress and crisis situations Our presentations can be adapted to suit your audience, whether you're a school, health provider, NGO, government agency, or community group. Customised Presentations We work with you to understand your needs and tailor our content accordingly. To request a presentation, please complete our Presentation Request Form and email it to [email protected] . This form helps us gather key details such as: Your organisation’s context and goals Preferred date, time, and location Audience size and age group Technical requirements (e.g., PowerPoint, presentation display setup or screen-sharing capability) Any sensitive topics or support needs We’ll review your request and get in touch to confirm details and discuss next steps. Upcoming Webinars and Events We’re excited to be developing a series of webinars and online workshops that will be available for registration in the near future. These sessions will offer accessible, high-quality professional development opportunities - some free, some paid - on topics relevant to our work. Stay tuned for updates! Costs and Funding Skylight presentations are offered at a cost to help us sustain our services. Please include funding details in your request form. If cost is a barrier, let us know - we are happy to work with you to progress your request. Contact Us If you have questions or would like to discuss a potential training opportunity before submitting a form, feel free to get in touch with our team at [email protected] . You might also be interested in: Guide for schools Other organisations that can help Contact us Work with us Get involved

Emma Harbour Programmes Coordinator | Kaituitui Hōtaka About me Kia ora, I am Emma. Previously, a travel tour coordinator, flight attendant, foster carer and supervisor at a home for pregnant teens. I have joined Skylight this year as a Programme Coordinator. Our team oversees networking with other community organisations and schools to promote and deliver a variety of youth wellbeing programmes. I work at Skylight Trust because the values and work align with my personal ethos. I am passionate and motivated to support others, and I want to use my time and energy for meaningful work. When I am not at work I enjoy knitting & crochet while watching the latest TV series, baking and trying out new recipes, nature walks and campervan adventures with my husband and two chihuahuas, being an active aunty, hosting international students and volunteering with the New Zealand Red Cross in a refugee resettlement. Next Previous

Organise your own fundraising event Have a look around at what others are doing and get inspired. There are so many ways that you could fundraise to support the work of Skylight. No matter what you choose to do, you can know that every little bit of money raised will make a positive difference to children, young people and whānau in our communities. You can set yourself a challenge, whether it is to complete a run or bike ride or give something up for a while. You could hold a sausage sizzle or bake sale; run a movie night; host a quiz night, arrange a garden tour, an auction, or a coffee morning. Have a look at what others are doing or check out this list of fundraising ideas and get inspired. Let us know your plans When you decide what fundraising activity or event you are going to do, please get in touch with us so we can talk about how we can support you, while you are supporting us. Some things that could help Set up a fundraising page on Givealittle This will make it easy for you to tell people what you’re doing and why, and collect donations. Your supporters will get a tax receipt for their donation immediately and the money will be direct credited into our bank account, so you don’t have to worry about depositing it into our account. Ask us about fundraising tips and tricks. We could give you advice on how to organise an event, getting others to support you, getting permits from your local council, ways to promote your event, collecting and banking the money, and more. There are lots of people at Skylight who can’t wait to help you with your fundraising ideas. A few things to keep in mind Have fun! Choose something that you, your friends, whānau and people you know will enjoy doing. Know your limits – whatever you choose to do can be as big or small as you want, please make sure it is something you can do. No fundraising event is too small and small amounts really do add up to help us support children, young people, their whānau and communities when they need our help. Tell people why you are fundraising – your fundraising event will be a great opportunity to tell people about Skylight and what we do, while you are having fun. You might also be interested in: Our story Advocacy Contact us Fundraising ideas Get involved

Akasha Te Amo Liana Rio Non-voting Trustee About me "I understand what it is to go through grief, loss and cycles of mental health. I support the kaupapa, its focus on tamariki and rangatahi and the importance of Skylight’s work. I am also passionate about Te Tiriti o Waitangi, how we address mental health using a Te Triti-based model, and the journey Skylight is on to become a Te Tiriti-based organisation. I am here to learn from the rangatira on the Board and ensure that Skylight has long term aspirations and intergenerational impact." Akasha was drawn to the Board because the people on the Board are passionate about the Skylight staff and the clients and want to make a difference. She wants to go beyond the Crown-Māori relationship and see an authentic understanding of Te Tiriti throughout all facets of society. Akasha has a Masters Degree in Māori/Pacific and Indigenous People’s Law, a Bachelor of Laws, and a Bachelor of Social Sciences. Next Previous

Trevney shares his story This webisode features Trevney sharing his story of how he has survived suicide or lost a friend or whānau member to suicide – it is for rangatahi by rangatahi. The personal experiences shared in the following video may be disturbing for some viewers as he talks about suicide. You might also be interested in: Matty - Resilience Web Series Mana - Resilience Web Series Jahnya shares her story Brittany shares their story McKay - Resilience Web Series Rose - Resilience Web Series Melissa - Resilience Web Series Parenting through Grief Bella - Resilience Web Series

Skylight is a national not-for-profit trust that enables children, young people, their families/ whānau and friends to navigate through times of trauma Programmes We offer resilience-building programmes for both schools and individuals, supporting mental health, emotional wellbeing, and personal growth through guided, age-appropriate experiences. Choose below to find a programme that fits your needs. Filter by Programme Type For individuals For schools Sound Bridge Sound Bridge is a music therapy group for young people aged 12–18 who want to play, jam, and create music together. Learn more Travellers Travellers is a school-based resilience programme designed for Year 9 students navigating challenging life transitions. Learn more Tai-oranga A four hour school based programme comprised of 3 modules - for tamariki 7 - 9 years. Learn more Matika An eight week programme to support tamariki through loss and grief. Learn more Pathfinders A wellbeing programme for young women and non-binary individuals aged 12 - 16. Learn more Heart Song A bereaved parents' support group in Wellington. Learn more Awhi Mai Awhi Atu Wellbeing Counselling support in schools. Learn more Parenting Through Separation PTS is a free information course for individual parents who have separated or who are contemplating separation. Learn more Waves Waves is an eight week programme that aims to support adults aged 18 and older who have been bereaved by suicide. Learn more