Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Kia ora, and welcome to my profile. I am a senior Māori academic and kaupapa Māori researcher at Auckland University of Technology, and a mental health, addictions, and trauma clinician with StandingTallNZ.org. I proudly represent the five tribes of Muriwhenua: Ngāti Kurī, Ngāi Takoto, Te Pātū, Ngāti Kahu, Te Aupōuri, and Te Rarawa, from the culturally rich northernmost region of Aotearoa New Zealand. With over 20 years’ experience, I have led initiatives that restore mana and promote wellbeing across health, education, and social services for Māori and Pacific peoples. My work integrates clinical practice, cultural supervision, and community development to build trauma-informed, culturally grounded systems of care that uplift and empower. I specialise in Māori and Pacific male sexual abuse recovery and provide clinical supervision across multiple agencies. I hold a PhD in the recovery of individuals affected by sexual violence, utilising digital technology, alongside three master’s degrees across diverse disciplines. My expertise encompasses suicide prevention, kaupapa Māori research, Rongoā Māori, LGBTQIA+ health, and whānau financial wellbeing, including micro-loans, debt recovery, KiwiSaver, and wealth-building strategies. Recognised nationally, I was a 2025 semi-finalist for New Zealander of the Year and named among the Top 100 Māori Health Leaders by Te Rau Ora in 2023. I have also received awards for community leadership and LGBTQIA+ advocacy. Passionate about driving intergenerational change in a cultural, emotional, spiritual, and economic sense, I welcome opportunities to collaborate in supporting thriving futures for Māori and Pacific communities.
In my senior academic role, I work across the School of Clinical Sciences to implement key Maori strategies, lead research projects, mentor junior faculty members, guide postgraduate students towards completing a master's/PhD, and serve on various academic committees. In my senior academic role, I am also expected to bring my significant experience and expertise in the health/social fields, combined with my strong leadership and management skills, to drive the institution's academic mission forward. 1. Possess current knowledge and thinking relevant to hauora Māori, and ideally whānau well-being and/or trauma studies. 2. Inspire and support postgraduate student achievement. 3. Contribute to ongoing curriculum development, where teaching is informed by community needs and research. 4. Demonstrate commitment to collaboration and working in a team to further enhance the community-teaching-research nexus.
As a Mental Health & Addiction Health Professional specialising in multiple areas, I bring many skills to my practice, particularly in working with men. I have experience supporting individuals through mental health, addictions, suicide prevention, and advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community, with a focus on their unique needs and challenges. I am trained in person-centred counselling, crisis intervention, and trauma-informed care, creating a safe, empathetic, and non-judgemental space for clients. I use evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help individuals develop healthier coping mechanisms. Additionally, I am skilled in healthcare ethics, promoting ethical decision-making in treatment, and working with individuals living with disabilities to support inclusion and accessibility. I also assist clients with financial capability, helping them build financial resilience and independence. My practice integrates Māori Health and rongoā Māori (traditional Māori healing), recognising the importance of a holistic approach that addresses physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. I provide support in sexual violence recovery and family harm recovery, offering trauma-informed care to those impacted by such experiences. I am well-versed in harm reduction techniques and work to empower clients with practical solutions for managing their challenges. Through my work, I focus on fostering resilience, promoting self-empowerment, and creating strong support networks for men facing these issues. I engage in continuous self-reflection and clinical supervision to remain a compassionate and effective Mental Health & Addiction Health Professional. By maintaining cultural competency and advocacy, I ensure each individual’s unique identity is respected, and they have access to the resources they need to achieve long-term well-being.
StandingTallNZ.org is a "Tangata Whenua" (people of the land) website to support Māori and Pacific men, support people and communities affected by sexual violence, mental distress and addictions. Face-to-face and online counselling are available. Website: www.standingtallnz.org. We also deliver training and workshops for health and social professionals to successfully engage with sexual abuse disclosures and work with people with complex needs.
IHS conducts research evaluation reports, designs social service programmes, project management in financial capability, and health and social services. IHS also provides counselling for Māori and Pacific communities in areas such as domestic and sexual violence, mental health recovery, and family empowerment. Responsibilities: • Provide project management services to government agencies, community groups, and private businesses. • Work with clients to deliver research evaluation, design social service programmes, and formulate solutions accordingly. • Create and deliver evidence-based training programmes. • Deliver counselling and treatment plans for people in the Māori and Pacific community. • Provide external clinical supervision and cultural supervision. • Facilitate financial capability & steps into housing programmes. Key Achievements: 1) Awarded the 2016 Youth Awards for Services to the LGBTQI+ Community. 2) Awarded the 2011 New Zealander of the Year Award (Local Hero Category) for Services to the Community.