COMMUNITY PROJECT #424 - MEN’S MENTAL HEALTH "AHI KĀ"

Mission Statement:

To combat isolation and suicide by establishing regular fire-pit gatherings where men can connect, talk, and support each other through traditional forms of connection.

The Needs Assessment:

Modernity has atomised our men into "Rational Individuals" separated from their whānau and their purpose. This isolation is a state of high entropy that manifests as high suicide rates and mental health crises. We need to restore the "Sacred Order" of safety and brotherhood to allow the "Wairua" (spirit) to regenerate.

Core Objectives:

• Establish 5 regular "Ahi Kā" fire-pit circles across the region within 6 months.
  

• Provide a safe, confidential space for at least 50 men per month to connect.
  

• Train 10 "Fire-Keepers" (mentors) in active listening and mental health first aid.

• Achieve a measurable increase in the "Mauri Ora" score for the mental well-being of regular attendees.
  

Stakeholder Map:

• Local Men: The primary participants and brothers.
  

• Fire-Keepers: Experienced elders or peers leading the circles.
  

• Mental Health Providers: For referral support and professional oversight.

• Landowners/Marae: Providing the "Ahi Kā" sites.
  

The "Impact" Model:

This project is an engine for Social Negentropy68. It costs almost nothing (firewood and time) but prevents the catastrophic "Thermodynamic Loss" of a human life. It is sustained by the deep human need for connection (Whanaungatanga) and the "binding energy" of the fire.

Engagement Strategy:

We will use "word-of-mouth" and humble invites—"Come sit by the fire." We will strictly follow the "Be Safe, Have Fun" rule, ensuring the space is free of the "Colonial Gaze" or bureaucratic judgment.

Resource Requirements:

• Safe, outdoor sites for fire-pits.

• Supply of sustainable firewood.

• Basic refreshments (tea/biscuits).

• Mobile phone "check-in" network for the men between gatherings.
  

Timeline of Action:

• Week 1: Identify the first three "Fire-Keeper" mentors and gathering sites.

• Week 2: Conduct a briefing on the "Ahi Kā" protocols and safety measures.

• Week 3: Quietly launch the first circle through local whānau networks.

• Week 4: Establish the regular monthly schedule for the fire-pit gatherings.

Mauri Assessment

• Te Taiao (Environment): 0 — Minimal impact, using sustainable wood.

• Te Ahurea (Culture): +2 — Restores traditional forms of male bonding and oral storytelling by the fire.

• Te Tangata (Social): +2 — Directly combats male suicide, depression, and isolation.
  

• Te Pūtea (Economic): +1 — Reduces the long-term economic burden of mental health crises on whānau and the state.