Queenstown youth mental health initiative wins national tourism award
iFLY Whakamana recognised for its community impact and innovation
Queenstown-based iFLY Indoor Skydiving is flying high after taking out Tourism Industry Aotearoa’s Community Engagement Award for its innovative youth mental health initiative, iFLY Whakamana.
The programme was recognised for its outstanding contribution to both the local community and the tourism sector, highlighting the power of collaboration between businesses and community groups in tackling key social issues. Since its launch in late 2021, iFLY Whakamana has supported over 460 students and is now regarded as a powerful model for community-driven solutions, demonstrating how local partnerships can create lasting, positive change.
The programme offers free targeted support to Whakatipu schoolchildren in Years 7 and 8 (ages 11-12), tackling issues such as anxiety, low self-confidence, and emotional challenges, helping students build essential life skills and emotional resilience as they prepare for the transition to high school. The innovative partnership between local businesses and community groups has been made possible through the ongoing support of iFLY along with project development funding from the Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group, grants and donations.
iFLY owners Matt and Amy Wong are delighted to receive recognition from New Zealand’s tourism industry, saying the award further reinforces their belief that businesses have a vital role to play in addressing community challenges.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact iFLY Whakamana has had on our local kids,” says Matt. “As a business committed to community engagement, this is part of our broader commitment to regenerative tourism and we will continue to look for opportunities to support local initiatives that foster wellbeing, personal growth and empowerment. We hope that seeing what this programme and partnership has achieved will inspire other businesses to engage in similar cross-community efforts. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of our tamariki.”
The initiative was co-created by Matt and Amy Wong, Whakatipu Youth Trust and youth empowerment coach Sunny Sky from Epic Living. Concerned by the growing mental health challenges among young people, particularly those approaching adolescence, the team came together to develop a programme that offers support and empowerment through experiential learning.
A standout feature of iFLY Whakamana is the opportunity for participants to experience the thrill of indoor skydiving at iFLY Queenstown, where they can test their newfound skills in a real-life, adrenaline-charged environment. Before taking flight, students also engage in a STEM* session, where they learn about the aerodynamics of the wind tunnel and the science behind flight.
“We wanted to create something that would help tamariki build self-esteem, manage their emotions, and develop the skills they need to thrive as they move through this critical stage of life,” says Sunny Sky. “The programme combines creative activities, team-building exercises, and physical challenges, all designed to boost confidence, self-awareness, and courage.”
The programme has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from students, teachers and parents, with the participants continuing to engage every two weeks through the Mentorship in Schools programme. The success of iFLY Whakamana has sparked discussions about expanding the programme to ensure all Year 7 and 8 students can benefit as they prepare for high school.
Whakatipu Youth Trust General Manager Jacqui Moir says her team is “thrilled” with the outcomes. “The programme is a perfect example of the community coming together to support our tamariki.”
Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group Chair Adell Cox also congratulated the iFLY Whakamana team, saying, “This programme is a fantastic example of how a community-led initiative can address local challenges and create lasting, positive change. We’re extremely proud to have supported its development and hope other businesses will be inspired to follow iFLY’s lead in collaborating on initiatives that support community wellbeing.”
* STEM/STEAM is an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking.
About iFLY Whakamana
Launched in 2021, the iFLY Whakamana programme combines experiential learning, creative arts, physical challenges, and wellbeing practices to support the mental health and emotional resilience of local schoolchildren in Queenstown. It is a community-based initiative powered by iFLY Indoor Skydiving, Whakatipu Youth Trust, and Epic Living, with funding from Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group and other local supporters. Read more.
About iFLY Indoor Skydiving Queenstown
Located in the heart of Queenstown, iFLY Indoor Skydiving offers safe, exhilarating indoor skydiving experiences for people of all ages and abilities. As a business committed to community engagement, iFLY is dedicated to supporting local initiatives that foster wellbeing, personal growth and empowerment.
