“I Am Climate Hope, The Ride of a Generation” is taking on the pressing issue climate change is having on our mental health, especially that of our young people!

A 29-day electric

motorcycle journey around Aotearoa

Mike King and supporters will be riding around New Zealand on UBCO e-motorbikes from Auckland up to Cape Reinga down to Bluff and back to Auckland during the month of October to raise awareness to mental health and climate change. They will be stopping off in towns and cities along the route to host talks with support from our key partner Genesis and partners UBCO and Ara Ake.

We look forward to seeing you at a location near you, see the route and schedule below.

I Am Climate Hope

Join Mike as he rides an electric motorbike on a 5,000-km journey around Aotearoa, speaking to local communities about the important issues of mental health and climate change.

Help create positive change today.

October 1 – Whangārei

@ 6:30 PM
Distinction Hotel, 9 Riverside Drive, Whangarei

October 2 – Kaitaia

@ 5.30 PM
Farm Source Store, 20 North Park Drive, Kaitaia

October 3 – Kaikohe

@ 5.00 PM
Farm Source Store, 38 Station Road, Kaikohe

October 5 – Huntly

@ 1:00 PM
Huntly Power Station, Cnr Hetherington and Te Ohaki Roads, Huntly

October 6 – Te Kūiti

@ 6:30 PM
Les Munro Centre, 8 King Street East, Te Kuiti

October 7 – New Plymouth

@ 6:30 PM
New Plymouth Council Chambers, 84 Liardet Street, New Plymouth

October 8 – Whanganui

@ 6:30 PM
Duncan Pavilion, Rangiora Street, Castlecliff, Whanganui

October 9 – Wellington

@ 6:30 PM
Creative HQ, 7 Dixon Street, Wellington

October 11 – Nelson

@ 6:30 PM
Mahitahi Co-Lab, 322 Hardy St, Nelson

October 12 – Westport

@ 6:30 PM
NBS Theatre, 105 Palmerston Street, Westport

October 13 – Franz Josef

@ 6:30 PM
Monsoon Restaurant, 46 Cron Street, Franz Josef

October 15 – Queenstown

@ 6:30 PM
QT Hotel, 30 Brunswick St, Queenstown

October 16 – Invercargill

@ 6:00 PM
Farm Source Store, 61 Bill Richardson Drive, West Invercargill, Invercargill

October 17 – Dunedin

@ 6:30 PM
Errick's, 218 Crawford Street, Dunedin

October 18 – Tekapo

@ 6.00 PM
Lake Tekapo School, Aorangi Crescent, Lake Tekapo

October 19 – Timaru

@ 6.30 PM
Timaru Girls High School, 68 Cain Street, Timaru

October 20 – Christchurch

@ 6:30 PM
Trimble Head Office, 11-15 Birmingham Drive, Middleton, Christchurch

October 21 – Kaikōura

@ 6:30 PM
Donegal House, 285 Schoolhouse Road, Kaikoura Flat, Kaikoura

October 22 – Blenheim

@ 6:30 PM
Woodbourne Tavern, 80 High Street, Renwick, Blenheim

October 24 – Palmerston North

@ 6:30 PM
Distinction Hotel, 175 Cuba St, Palmerston North

October 25 – Napier

@ 6:30 PM
Esk Valley Winery, 347 State Highway 5, Eskdale, Napier

October 26 – Tūrangi

@ 2.00 PM
Tūrangi Turtle Pool Carpark, Ohuanga Road, Tūrangi

October 27 – Tauranga

@ 6:30 PM
Hotel Armitage, 9 Willow St, Tauranga

October 28 – Hamilton

@ 5:30 PM
Farm Source Store, 115 Norton Road, Frankton, Hamilton

Follow the journey

with live updates on socials

Resources

Feeling anxious about climate change?

You’re not alone.

Here’s how you can help young people cope:

Listen up

Let them share their worries and reassure them it’s okay to feel this way. Just being there makes a big difference.

Keep it simple

Explain climate change in a way they can understand. Focus on positive actions people are taking. National Geographic Kids has some top tips for tackling this complicated and sometimes scary subject with your kids.

Take action together

Get involved in small, positive actions like recycling or saving water. It helps them feel more in control.

Stay positive

Your attitude matters. Staying calm and hopeful can help them feel the same.

Share good news

Talk about the positive things happening for the planet. It can ease their worries. Happy Eco News has lots of positive stories about the environment and people working to improve it but there are lots of other website like The Good News Network and locally Radio New Zealand Good News.

Control the news feed

If the news is stressing them out, limit it. Discuss what they see to help them understand.

Get outside

Spend time in nature together. It helps them feel connected without the worry.

Ask for help if needed

If anxiety persists, reach out to a professional for support. Book a counselling session on Gumboot Friday - Free Counselling for anyone 25 and under. Free call or text 1737 anytime to talk with a trained counsellor 24/7.

Practice mindfulness

There are even free meditation and mindfulness apps especially designed for families and young people like Smiling Mind or subscription based ones like Headspace.

Useful websites

Take the Jump: takethejump.org.nz

Enviroschools website: enviroschools.org.nz

Kiwi Conservation Club: kcc.org.nz

Sharing Nature Worldwide, Joseph Cornell books and games: sharingnature.com

World WildLife Fund: wwf.org.nz

Zero Waste: zerowaste.co.nz

Sustainable Living: sustainableliving.org.nz

Eco Matters: ecomatters.org.nz

Ollie's World: olliesworld.com

Kids Recycle: kidsrecycle.org

Waste Nothing: wastenothing.co.nz

Earth Overshoot Day: overshoot.footprintnetwork.org

Climate change ranks highest as vital issue of our time – Generation Z survey: Amnesty Press Release

UBCO Bike Giveaway

Want to ride away on your very own UBCO bike? Simply join us at any event on the Climate Hope Tour and fill out an entry form for your chance to win! Terms and Conditions.

Get involved

We are also seeking sponsors and partners for each leg (day) of this mammoth journey, as well as for the events at night. If you would like to be a part of this, please reach out to us via email at michaiah@iamhope.org.nz, and we will send you more information.