A groundbreaking initiative aimed at improving the mental health of New Zealand’s youth is gaining momentum. Wade Jackson, founder of Covert Theatre in Ponsonby, Auckland, has developed the "Resilience Playground," a program that combines improvisational theatre techniques with principles of positive psychology to equip children with essential life skills.
The Resilience Playground targets children aged 8 to 12, a critical age before they transition to high school. The program uses exercises from improv theatre—similar to the style seen in long running TV show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" —to teach mindfulness, confidence, emotional intelligence, and resilience. According to Jackson, improv fosters connection, creativity, and the ability to navigate ambiguity, all while encouraging children to embrace their individuality and maintain their sense of playfulness.
The program has been trialed in schools across New Zealand, receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback. To expand its reach, Jackson and his team have recorded the program and made it available online, allowing teachers to integrate it into classrooms without requiring additional training. Schools of all sizes, from New Zealand’s smallest to its largest primary school, have already piloted the initiative.
Jackson, who has a unique background in both performing arts and health science, initially developed these techniques for corporate team-building workshops and executive coaching. After years of success in the corporate world, he decided to adapt the methods for children, recognising the importance of instilling these skills early in life. “It’s cheaper, easier, and smarter to build a creative child than to fix a broken adult,” Jackson explained.
To ensure the program is accessible to all schools, Jackson’s charitable trust is fundraising to cover the $5,000 annual cost per school. On September 16, the trust will host a Giving Day, where corporate sponsors will match every public donation dollar-for-dollar. Sponsors include BMS IT, Sandfield, Radius Care, Chorus, Mazda, and Forsyth Barr. Jackson emphasised that every contribution counts, as it not only funds the program but also supports the development of additional content, such as communication skills and collaboration exercises. The initiative has already attracted international interest, with a school in England expressing interest in adopting the program.
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