About Us

Kites does not aim to set up alternative or surrogate communities for people who have used or are using mental health services.
Kites aims to work with the community we have, which is rich in resources.

Kites works to a community development model, this means that we:

•	Encourage people to define their own problems and issues.
•	Involve the skills, knowledge and experience of people with mental illness.
•	Promote people working together rather than as individuals.
•	Develop local solutions to local problems.
•	Facilitate processes toward resolution where there are conflicting interests.
•	Engage in policy development at both community and government levels.

In 2000, four Wellington based mental health services; Wellink, Pathways, MASH and Te Roopu Whakapakari Ora trusts came together to look at ways of working together effectively.

They had all been working on key areas of sector development in response to what the people who used their services were asking for. This included real jobs, real homes, the right to access services and to participate in their communities. It made sense to bring these roles together and Kites was formed.