A calm place for young minds
Te Whare Rama Pods are nature-inspired spaces on school grounds where young people can go to feel safe, supported and empowered.
The challenge
Right now our young people are struggling
Anxiety, depression and stress are on the rise, and traditional systems aren’t keeping up. Young people need safe, calm spaces where they can breathe, reflect and reset.
That’s what Te Whare Rama Pods offer.
These nature-inspired spaces are designed to help students regulate their emotions, reduce stress and cultivate mindfulness for improved wellbeing and focus.
The pods are not therapy rooms. They are sanctuaries designed to support brain health in a way that feels accessible and stigma-free.
Our approach
Three-Step Experience
Pause
A calming biophilic environment designed to interrupt stress and emotional overload.
Guide
Support from trained Pod Coaches who help students regulate and regain perspective.
Empower
Practical tools and experiences that build emotional resilience over time.
Te Whare Rama Pods
A practical solution
Grounded in neuroscience, Te Whare Rama Pods combine natural materials, sensory elements and guided wellbeing practices to support emotional regulation.
Inside the pod, students might engage in breathwork, calming music, meditation, reflective conversation or simply take a quiet moment away from the stresses of their day.
Every detail is designed to help young people feel safe, supported, calm and capable of finding their way forward.
Explore the pods
Youth wellbeing
Not every struggle is visible
Aotearoa’s young people are facing rising levels of anxiety and distress. Often, those struggles remain hidden until they reach crisis point. Lighthouse Trust believes support should be available earlier, in places young people already feel connected to.
Pilot pod
The first pod begins at St Thomas’
The pilot pod at St Thomas of Canterbury College marks the beginning of a wider vision: a network of “Lighthouse Schools” across Aotearoa.
Opened September 2026, this pod is making a difference for students and providing the Trust with the opportunity to gather research, train Pod Coaches and refine the pod experience and process based on real feedback.
Built with the support of an extraordinary community, the St Thomas pod is proof of what becomes possible when people act together.
Learn more
Our story
Born from heartbreak, driven by purpose
Lighthouse Trust was founded following the loss of Lucca Gibbons in 2024. In the midst of grief, his family asked a difficult but important question: what kind of support might help another young person before things become overwhelming?
The answer became Te Whare Rama Pods. A practical, compassionate initiative bringing urgently needed emotional support into schools across New Zealand.
Read our storySupporters
Powered by many
Lighthouse Trust is supported by a growing network of like minds and helping hands.
Ways to support
Help light the way forward
Donate funds or contribute in-kind support. Become a coach or host a pod at your school.
Get involved
A lighthouse does not remove the storm. It helps people find their way through it.
