This June, Makana Confections is proud to stand alongside Youthline, a vital support network that has been helping young New Zealanders navigate life’s toughest moments for over 50 years. With youth mental health concerns on the rise, we believe it’s more important than ever to show up for our rangatahi — and we’re inviting our community to do the same.

Why We’re Supporting Youthline

Youthline’s 24/7 Helpline is a lifeline for thousands of young people across Aotearoa. Every day, hundreds of youth aged 12 to 24 reach out for help — whether they’re feeling overwhelmed, facing serious mental distress, or simply need someone to talk to.

But the demand is growing fast. Today, 1 in 5 young New Zealanders will use Youthline’s services at some point in their lives. Around 80% of those who reach out report mental distress, and 1 in 3 cases involve urgent issues such as self-harm or abuse.

With rising operational costs and increasing pressure on their Helpline team, Youthline needs support from all corners of the community to continue this life-saving work.

How Makana Is Helping

This June, Makana Confections is proud to support Youthline by combining two things we care deeply about — crafting exceptional chocolate and giving back to our community.

Here’s what we’re doing to make a difference:

• For every box of our Dark Macadamia Butter Toffee Crunch sold during the month of June, we’ll donate $3 directly to Youthline. It’s one of our most loved treats — and now, it’s doing even more good.
• Throughout the month, we’ll be sharing awareness-raising content across our social media channels and in our newsletter. These stories will highlight Youthline’s incredible work and the urgent need to support young people’s mental health in Aotearoa.
• We’re also encouraging our community to learn more about Youthline and consider making a direct contribution. If you’d like to donate or find out more, visit Youthline’s donation page.

Every box purchased, every post shared, and every conversation started helps shine a light on youth mental health and keeps Youthline’s vital services running 24/7.

Why It Matters

The statistics are stark: over half of New Zealanders aged 15–24 experience anxiety or depression. Mental health has become the defining issue for our young people — and without organisations like Youthline, many would have nowhere to turn.

By supporting Youthline, we’re investing in the future wellbeing of Aotearoa. We believe every young person deserves to be heard, supported, and empowered — and that starts with making sure there’s always someone on the other end of the line.

How You Can Help

You don’t have to be a chocolatier to make a difference. Here’s how you can stand with us in June:

• Purchase our Dark Macadamia Butter Toffee Crunch — online or in store.
• Share our campaign posts on social media to raise awareness.
• Learn more about Youthline and their services at youthline.co.nz.
• Donate on Youthline’s website through this link.

Together, We Can Be There

At Makana, we’re committed to crafting more than just fine chocolate — we’re also committed to caring for our community. By supporting Youthline, we hope to play a small part in ensuring no young Kiwi ever feels alone.

Let’s come together this June — for connection, for care, and for our youth.