Alex Winiata takes to the road to tackle mental health

Raising mental health awareness Alex Winiata is travelling the length of New Zealand to raise awareness for mental health. Photo / Supplied

Raising awareness for mental heath has put one man on a journey across New Zealand.

Alex Winiata, 21, will be embarking on his walk for life next month with hopes of making a positive change in New Zealand.

A student at Waikato University, Mr Winiata has returned from travels overseas to tackle this new goal.

He will walk 3000km from Cape Reinga at the tip of the North Island down to The Bluff in the South Island.

"I have always liked to challenge myself and when I found out there was a trail the length of New Zealand I knew it was something I wanted to do."

"I have had a cousin pass away from suicide and know of a lot of people who have been affected by it. I want to make a positive change in New Zealand with a positive message," Mr Winiata said.

According to Life Matters charity, 11 or 12 people die every week by suicide in New Zealand.

A Unicef reported also revealed that New Zealand topped the global teen suicide ranking.

Preparation for the walk has been under way for more than a month. Mr Winiata has been riding 20km/h a day on his bike along with walking up to 25km a day with a backpack full of equipment. The trip will start on November 1 with Mr Winiata setting himself a target to walk each day. The walk will bring him through Hamilton.

"I'm starting at the top and finishing at the very bottom. I hope to walk between 25km to 30km a day.

Mr Winiata wanted to give back to New Zealand while on his walk and decided to bring a charity into it.

"New Zealand has such sad statistics when it comes to mental illness and suicide so I thought I would tie this into my walk. This way I can spread awareness about the illness and raise funds for charities that are committed to helping people in need of support.

"This is a huge issue. I believe NZ is a fantastic place to live and its sad to think over 500 people pass away every year due to suicide. More money and people need too get involved to help reduce this."

Mr Winiata admits that the walk will be a huge challenge, but he hopes that it will bring a positive outcome.

He is calling on the public to help with donations towards Life House and Life Matters, two charities that deal with Mental Health. Life Matters aims for zero suicide in the health care system.

"I sometimes feel that people are taught to be tough and not speak about their problems so I also hope too make a change in this area throughout the walk.

"Overall I just want to make a positive impact on NZ. I love this country and want to increase the happiness and positivity in all our communities."

Mr Winiata has set up a givealittle page with the hopes of raising $30,000 to go towards his chosen charities.

Go to givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/alexswalkforlife