Israel Folau and Manu Vatuvei are helping to tackle suicide in New Zealand, by hosting talks about depression as part of a "Road to Redemption" tour around the country this week.

The tour, organised by a group which includes the rugby players Folau and Vatuvei, as well former All Blacks Michael Jones and Eroni Clarke, is led by Pastor Saia Kailahi from Australia and Pastor Lapi Mariner from New Zealand.

Both Folau and Vatuvei talked to the TVNZ One News about their bouts with depression.

“Most people don’t realise there’s certain things that players go through off the field," Folau said. 

“I just got caught up in the alcohol, women and all that sort of stuff - I was almost like a different person.”

Vatuvei said, "I was struggling with a lot of pressure and all that. I could say that I was a bit depressed." 

"Playing footy and training is like rehab for myself. It makes me happy. It makes me forget about a lot of things."

The group tour runs from December 16-22, visiting Whakatane, Makaraka, Porirua, Welbourn and Otahuhu.