Mental health advocate and former All Black Sir John Kirwan is on a mission to discuss the mental health of children.

He stopped by Tauranga's Bellevue School on Tuesday as part of a campaign to bring the mental health programme ‘Mitey' to more than 40 schools across New Zealand.

Funds are being raised through a raffle on the campaign website, where participants can win the Land Rover 90 being used on Sir John's journey.

The Land Rover 90 up for grabs. Photo: Taylor Rice.

'We have a hugely ambitious goal to raise $1 million for the future wellbeing of our tamariki. I'd ask the people of Tauranga to dig deep and give what they can to support this important cause," says Sir John Kirwan.

"I know we can do it, and I know Kiwis will get behind this moment. Together, we can change the course of mental health in this country.

'We have some of the worst mental health statistics in the OECD and this will take a generation to change our trajectory. Mitey helps teach the ‘ABC of mental health' to children when they're young, and with New Zealand's support we will be able to roll this vital programme out to hundreds more children in Tauranga.”

Mitey is a new approach to teaching mental health as part of the New Zealand curriculum, enabling children to learn about it at school, every day, just like literacy and maths.

Developed over two years by the Sir John Kirwan Foundation, with input from highly experienced specialists from the University of Auckland as well as New Zealand educators, teachers and clinicians, Mitey has already positively impacted more than 12,000 New Zealand children.

The Tauranga community event took place at Bellevue School, with the wider school community and mental health advocates in attendance.

'Bellevue School is excited to be involved with Mitey and are eager to roll out the curriculum to our students. We're looking forward to learning more about the positive impact it can have in supporting our students and their whanau,” says Bellevue School principal Anna Meehan.

Bellevue School students Mia Taljaardt (left), Theo Gabito, and Oscar Lawrence. Photo: Taylor Rice.

Students at Bellevue School were excited for Sir John Kirwan to be dropping by on his journey.

"We learned that mental health is very important," says Bellevue School student Theo Gabito.

Fellow student Mia Taljaardt says that Sir John's speech showed her that "naming your feelings helps to understand them."

'We want to create an environment that future generations not only survive in, but thrive in, and are proud to support our brand ambassador and good friend Sir John Kirwan with this landmark initiative,” says Land Rover New Zealand CEO, Steve Kenchington.

Sir John Kirwan with Bellevue School student Phoenix Cutbush. Photo: Taylor Rice.

'We'd encourage every New Zealander to get behind this campaign – every $20 online raffle ticket not only helps fund mental health education for our kids, but it also puts you in the draw to win a Land Rover Defender 90. We donated this for Sir John to complete his drive, and now it will go to a generous New Zealander who has helped improve the future wellbeing of our country.”

For more information and to purchase a raffle ticket for The Mitey Drive, visit www.themiteydrive.org.