Tango Kilo Mike
Charitable Trust
Our Mission &
Strategic Vision.
Our mission.
To empower veterans and serving personnel to thrive by providing them with the tools, resources, and support
Our Vision.
A society where all veterans and serving personnel feel valued, supported, and equipped to succeed in their civilian lives.
Regardless of what you are facing in life, we firmly believe you should never face it alone.
Our Core Philosophy
Our approach is grounded in the triad of Identity, Purpose, and Belonging. We believe that understanding who you are, recognising your life's purpose, and finding a community where you belong are the keys to unlocking your potential. We provide not only the tools to discover these elements but also a supportive haven for those in need of a safe space.
Our story.
Founded in 2019, Tango Kilo Mike emerged as a powerful response to a deeply personal loss—the tragic passing of a friend Steve. His death ignited a profound sense of urgency within Chris, recognising the need for proactive mental health support, particularly among those who serve in high-stress roles. Steve had been the fourth person in 12-months to have died to suicide within his profession.
The name "Tango Kilo Mike," derived from the phonetic alphabet, stands for "Take a Knee, Mate." This phrase represents the crucial moments when one must pause, assess, and take stock of the situation—a practice vital for anyone facing overwhelming challenges.
Since our inception, we have made a tangible difference in the lives of countless individuals across New Zealand, particularly among the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and the Emergency Response personnel. Our efforts have been crucial during trying times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and in the aftermath of tragic events like the shooting of Constable Matt Hunt.
The Tango Kilo Mike team
Trustees
Chief Financial Officer
Cindy Collins
Cindy keeps Chris in line. She is an accomplished administrator for payroll and payment related systems, clothing designer and artist. She has lived experience of trauma and suicide.
Chief Operating Officer
Amy Crozier
Amy has worked in both technology, charitable organisations and health care. She understands the gaps that exist for uniformed services in relation to the support people can expect to receive.
Chief Executive Officer
Chris Collins
Chris is a former solder, Movember 'hall-of-fame'r, and overall winner of the Headfit Awards, a national awards program that recognises businesses in New Zealand for their workplace mental health practice). He has lived experience of trauma and suicide.
Patrons
Lance Burdett
Lance spent 22 years policing and was the country's lead crisis negotiator.
Now, Lance provides courses on; managing vulnerable people, communication strategies, de-escalation, personal safety & security, risk mitigation, managing workplace violence, and emergency preparedness, as well as personal resilience, all designed to manage workplace stress and burnout.
Damian Porter
Damian both a fire fighter and is a former NZ special forces operative. He runs regular in person courses on Self Protection for women.
Matt Janssen
Matt is both a fire fighter and an Occupational Therapist. He serves as a Board Member at Te Poari Whakaora Ngangahau o Aoteatoa | Occupational Therapy Board of New Zealand.
He has over 11 years of experience in the mental health sector.
Sandra Whitehead
Sandra is a technology expert and specialises in Information Technology Governance.
She has lived experience of suicide.
Barry Zworestine
Barry is a registered psychologist with 20 years experience providing compassionate and relevant support to veterans and their families impacted by military service.
In addition, Barry is a distinguished author, and veteran of the Rhodesian Bush Wars.
Advisory team
Pedro Fernandes
Pedro Fernandes is both one of the highest ranked martial artists for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in New Zealand, and also a stuntman. He is the owner of Tukaha BJJ.
Abhy Singl
Abhy Singla is a passionate technologist and leads a technology firm in Auckland.
Jesse Puata
Jesse Puata is a systems expert within the Oil & Gas industry sector, owner of a martial arts gym and provides leadership and coaching to at-risk youth in the Taranaki region.
Help Tango Kilo Mike
Achieve their mission
Tango Kilo Mike Charitable Trust is a registered NZ Registered Charity: CC59166