Mental health advocate and founder of I Am Hope and Gumboot Friday

Overview

Mike King is one of New Zealand's most recognised mental health advocates and the founder of the I Am Hope Foundation and Gumboot Friday. A former top NZ comedian turned campaigner, Mike has spent more than a decade on the road talking to schools, workplaces and communities about mental wellbeing, suicide prevention and the power of conversation. He's been Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year and continues to lead one of the country's most loved mental health movements.

Who is Mike King? Born in 1962 and raised in Whenuapai, Mike trained as a chef before becoming a stand-up comedian and television personality through the 1990s and 2000s. After a personal turning point, he pivoted to mental health advocacy. He founded The Key to Life Charitable Trust in 2012 (rebranded I Am Hope Foundation in 2023), launched Gumboot Friday in 2019 and was named Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year that year. He was made an ONZM in 2019 and returned it in 2021 in protest at the lack of progress in the mental health system. He stepped down as I Am Hope CEO in November 2025 and continues to speak and advocate full time.

Career Highlights • Founder of The Key to Life Charitable Trust (2012), now I Am Hope Foundation • Founder of Gumboot Friday, providing free counselling for 5- to 25-year-olds • Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year, 2019 • Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, 2019 (returned in 2021) • Host of long-running radio show The Nutters Club • Has spoken with an estimated 250,000+ young Kiwis in schools nationwide

Key Speaking Themes • Mental wellbeing in work and life • Suicide prevention and supporting young people • The inner critic and how we talk to ourselves • Vulnerability, storytelling and communication • Building cultures where it's safe to speak up

What Your Audience Will Gain Mike is funny, raw and life-changing. Audiences leave with a different relationship to their own inner critic, practical tools for opening conversations, and a deeper appreciation of the role each of us plays in someone else's mental wellbeing.

Ideal For • Wellbeing and mental health events • Leadership offsites and people-leader programmes • Trades, rural, emergency services and frontline conferences • Schools, parents' evenings and youth forums • Awards nights and community gala dinners

Frequently Asked Questions...

What does Mike King speak about? Mental health, suicide prevention, the inner critic, vulnerability and communication, drawn from his own lived experience and conversations with hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders.

What is Gumboot Friday? A national campaign Mike founded that funds free counselling for 5- to 25-year-olds. People wear gumboots on the first Friday of November to acknowledge that depression can feel like walking through mud.

What is the I Am Hope Foundation? The mental health charity Mike founded in 2012 (originally The Key to Life Charitable Trust, rebranded I Am Hope in 2023). It runs Gumboot Friday and a range of youth-focused programmes.

What honours has Mike King received? ONZM in 2019 for services to mental health (returned in 2021 in protest) and Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year, 2019.

Is Mike King still CEO of I Am Hope? Mike stepped down as CEO of I Am Hope Foundation in November 2025 and continues to speak and advocate full time.

Is Mike King available for keynotes and school visits? Yes. Mike speaks to corporate audiences, conferences, schools, trades and rural communities across New Zealand.