Mental health advocate Mike King offered damage control advice to leaders accused of having a toxic workplace culture. On December 4, 2023, the Herald revealed five former staff at the Government’s mental health watchdog Te Hiringa Mahara - Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission, had quit amid allegations of excessive workloads, stress, a toxic culture and mental distress among staff . “This position has been the most stressful, awful experience of my working life,” one former employee claimed in an exit interview.
“I have been stressed since day one, regularly work weekends, [and] have had to go on antidepressants to cope.” Documents obtained under the Official Information Act show the same day the Herald story was published, I am Hope and Gumboot Friday founder Mike King reached out to commission chairman Hayden Wano, who responded by email “Kia ora Mike Great to connect today. Appreciate you reaching out!”.