Coffee & Connection at ASWEFA for Fly the Flag Week 2025

Sometimes the simplest gestures, a coffee, a chat, a smile, can spark the most meaningful conversations. On Thursday, 11 September 2025, ASWEFA opened its doors for something simple, but deeply meaningful.

As part of MATES in Construction’s Fly the Flag Week, and following World Suicide Prevention Day (10 Sept 2025), we hosted a morning coffee event: free coffees, warm conversation, and a space to pause and make genuine connections.

Why We Did It

Mental health awareness matters. In New Zealand, Fly the Flag Week is a time to remember that wellbeing isn’t just an individual task, it’s something we build together. It’s about being courageous, taking a moment to breathe, and having conversations that truly matter.

Every year, MATES in Construction invites workers, companies, and communities across Aotearoa to join the Fly the Flag campaign, a powerful initiative shining a light on mental wellbeing in the construction industry.

At ASWEFA, we regularly work alongside the construction sector through our training, so joining this campaign felt natural. This year’s theme, “Be the Voice of Hope,” called on all of us to show courage and have the life-saving conversations that can change, and even save lives.

The urgency is clear: the construction industry in Aotearoa loses one person to suicide every five days. These are not just numbers, they are our mates, our whānau, and our community. By flying the flag, we stand together to break stigma, promote hope, and encourage open conversation.

What We Did

• A coffee cart was on-site from 8:30 am, serving free coffees to anyone who dropped in.
• We proudly flew the MATES in Construction flag, standing in solidarity with suicide prevention and mental health work across our industry.
• The atmosphere was informal and welcoming, no agenda except being present, listening, and sharing.

Who Turned Up

It was inspiring to see people from across ASWEFA and our wider community join us, including:

• Vern and Shannon from ALH‍
• Lua from Alignz Recruitment‍
• Kaya and Paeturi from KiwiStaff‍
• Sarah from Mangakotukutuku College‍
• Sam from Puatala‍
• Maeana from Te Wānanga o Aotearoa‍
• Luci from Thomsons ITM‍
• Alex and Junior from WeCan

What It Felt Like

• Connection over routine. Starting the day with coffee and a conversation set the tone: wellbeing doesn’t need grand gestures, just willingness.
• Hope in small things. Even simple interactions, “How are you?” “I’m okay, thanks.” can shift a mood. A few smiles, a few stories, a few moments of presence made a real impact.

What We Learned

• Creating space matters. Even just ten minutes where people feel seen makes a difference.
• Visible support helps. Flags, signage, and public messages normalize conversations about mental health, and people noticed.

Closing Thought

If even one person walked away feeling a little less alone, a little more seen, that makes it all worthwhile. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who came, stayed, and shared. Together, we’re building something stronger.