New Chief Executive Nick Baylis Leads Next Chapter for I Am Hope Foundation

Nick Baylis has taken the helm as the new chief executive of the I Am Hope Foundation, stepping into the role as the organisation marks a significant milestone in youth mental health support. Working alongside founder and advocate Mike King, Baylis will oversee the next chapter of the foundation’s flagship programme, Gumboot Friday, which has now funded more than 164,000 free counselling sessions for young New Zealanders. The leadership transition, reported by Waatea News on 3 September 2026, comes at a time when Gumboot Friday is firmly established as a critical resource for rangatahi. The programme’s barrier-free model allows New Zealanders aged 25 and under to access support without the burden of cost or the complexity of traditional referral mazes. Baylis emphasizes that keeping this door open and ensuring sustainable growth will be central to his leadership. One of the defining features of the service is the agency it provides to young people. Rangatahi can select their own qualified professionals from a diverse platform based on gender, language, and cultural background. This is particularly vital for rangatahi Māori, for whom cultural safety and trust are essential components of effective mental health engagement. By allowing users to choose a counsellor who understands their specific spiritual and cultural context, the initiative seeks to bridge the gap between needing help and receiving it. While I Am Hope clarifies that Gumboot Friday is intended to complement rather than replace the public mental health system, the scale of its impact is clear. The 164,000 sessions represent a significant increase from the 150,000 sessions previously recorded since 2019. For Baylis and the I Am Hope team, the focus remains on providing immediate, accessible support that bypasses administrative obstacles for those struggling alone.