Source: I Am Hope
4 September 2026
90 seconds. 630 reasons. A community getting behind our kids.
Aucklanders are being invited to start their Friday with a splash as Spring Plunge 2026 returns to Eastern Beach on Friday, 11 September.
Now in its second year, the Spring Plunge is set to become an annual community event, bringing people together for a 90-second plunge into the cold waters of Eastern Beach to remember the 630 Kiwis lost and stand alongside those who may be silently struggling today.
Among those taking the plunge this year are Simeon Brown, MP for Pakuranga and Minister of Health and Transport, Howick Ward Councillor Bo Burns, and Detective Shaun Winstanley, who will also speak at the event.
Winstanley, 39, has been a police officer for 15 years. In 2023, he was shot in the face at close range by an active shooter in Auckland CBD, in an incident that claimed two lives and seriously injured eight people. He spent four days in a coma and months in intensive care and hospital, followed by years of surgeries, rehabilitation and recovery.
Today, he is a passionate advocate for mental wellbeing and resilience.
“I’ve learnt to be grateful for every minute you get, because it’s not promised. We forget that. The ‘what ifs’ can consume you, but they don’t change what’s happened. You’ve got to focus on what you’ve got in front of you and make the most of it,” Winstanley says.
“People see the amazing job that medical staff have done to repair my face after the shooting, but what they don’t see is what still lies beneath. There are still approximately 30 pellets, metal and scar tissue. To use it as a metaphor, we all have our own pellets in our face. You never really know what someone else is carrying underneath it all.
“That’s why we need to be kind to each other. Check in on people. And be grateful for every minute we get, because none of us are promised the next one.”
I Am Hope crew will be taking part and going into the water alongside the community.
I Am Hope Partnership Manager Richie Barnett says having so many people from across the community involved makes the event particularly powerful.
“It’s incredible to see how many people are getting behind this and willing to get out of bed early, get into freezing water and stand together for something so important,” Barnett says.
“Having community leaders like Shaun, Simeon and Bo there makes it even more special. Everyone is showing up in their own way, but the message is the same — look after each other, start the conversations and don’t be afraid to ask how someone is really doing.”
The event comes as Gumboot Friday, the annual iconic event prepares to return on 6 November to raise awareness and fundraise for free counselling without barriers for all young Kiwis aged 5 to 25.
Spring Plunge organisers are encouraging people to bring their mates, workmates, teams and whānau and take on the challenge together.
Spring Plunge 2026
Date: Friday, 11 September 2026
Location: Eastern Beach, Auckland
Time: Arrive 6:15am | Plunge 6:45am
Activity: 90-second Ocean Plunge
Register for Spring Plunge 2026
Walker Homes is the sponsor of Spring Plunge 2026.
Video and imagery: Spring Plunge video and imagery
GUMBOOT FRIDAY IS NOVEMBER 6
Gumboot Friday gives any young New Zealander aged between 5 & 25 free counselling. If they need help, they can get it. When they need it, before it’s too late. With more than 170,000 counselling sessions since 2019, the good is getting done.
Government support helps pay for the counselling. Community support helps keep Gumboot Friday running, so more kids know where to go when they need help.
On Friday 6 November 2026, we’re giving Gumboot Friday a shot in the arm in the hope it will become New Zealand’s Mental Health Day, when Kiwis will gumboot Up and raise funds for young people to access help when they need it.
For more info visit www.gumbootfriday.com
If you or someone you know is 25 or under and needs someone to talk to, visit www.gumbootfriday.com to book a free counsellor today — no referral needed.