Our story

HopeWalk is a Movement of Hope for those who have been affected by suicide.

Personally impacted by the suicide of a loved one and dismayed by the lack of support available, Joseph & Lydia Fa’afiu were compelled to create a safe environment to unite people, like themselves, who have experienced similar loss of a loved one.  Their mission is to connect others, together, who have or are experiencing grief caused by losing someone to suicide.

Joseph and Lydia set a date in 2015, they created an event on social media and invited friends and family who have had similar experiences to go for a 7km walk.  Their expectation was perhaps that 100 people would show up to  connect.  However, the event was shared widely on social media, and an overwhelming 3000 people showed up to Walk for Hope – this sent a strong message for the need in the community, and HopeWalk as a Movement was officially born.

Joseph and Lydia are passionate to break the stigma, shame and silence around suicide. Joseph says "It's okay not to be okay, and we need to make it a society where people feel safe to say how they are feeling, and not be embarrassed or ashamed. We all have issues."

Their belief, and now HopeWalk's call to action, stronger together is not only their ethos as a couple, but it permeates through to the culture of HopeWalk as a movement.  In Joseph’s words: “No single agency or group can fix this, we have to work together and be encouraged by each other, together we are stronger, together we can turn the tide.”

HopeWalk continues to grow and partner with other like-minded organisations and community groups to provide a platform for suicide prevention, intervention and postvention. Joseph has also launched and organised the Lights for Lives event ‘LinkFest’ which is a Health Promotion Festival.

HopeWalk exists to enable those affected by suicide to organise and facilitate walks, or to participate in the Movement and find support, resources and share with people who have similar stories and experiences.

Joseph and Lydia believe that the greatest prevention is to empower those who have felt the loss but can bring change, and in themselves be the champion for change for their community, and as Joseph often shares the “The greatest champions of change are those affected by the cause.”

What was a simple idea has organically grown to a strong movement that now spans the length and breadth of New Zealand, and is growing internationally! "It won't bring our loved ones back, but maybe ... it will save someone's loved one", Joseph shares of his hopes.

A simple walk has become a Movement of Hope.