Whāraurau

Last week, Whāraurau Director Abi Milnes and Principal Advisor Lisa Maughan joined Triple P New Zealand and programme providers Fresh Minds, Ngāti Hine Health Trust, and New Settlers Family and Community Trust - NFACT to meet with Hon Louise Upston, Minister for Social Development and Employment and Child Poverty Reduction.

The conversation highlighted the positive impact Triple P has for whānau across Aotearoa, including building parenting confidence, supporting wellbeing, and improving outcomes for tamariki. The programme’s flexibility, its delivery through a diverse workforce, and the importance of connecting whānau with support through trusted relationships were also discussed.

The meeting coincided with the announcement of additional investment in evidence-based parenting initiatives, helping expand access to Triple P programmes for more families across the country.

Learn more about Triple P: https://www.wharaurau.org.nz/all-resources/triple-p-in-aotearoa-an-introduction

📸 L-R: Abi Milnes (Whāraurau), Kirsten Birkett (Ngāti Hine Health Trust), Jackie Riach (Triple P NZ), Michelle Melville-Smith (Triple P NZ), Hon Louise Upston, Fahima Saeid (NFACT), Maria Mokofisi (Fresh Minds), Dr Tania Wilson (Fresh Minds), Lisa Maughan (Whāraurau).

🎙️ New episode alert!

In Episode 19 of Holding space, we’re joined by Dr Kelly Feng from Asian Family Services (AFS). Kelly shares her journey leadership, her passion for service development, and details all the incredible work AFS does across mental health, gambling harm, and schools.

We also discuss the challenges faced by Asian communities in Aotearoa, why culturally safe care matters, and what a more equitable future could look like.

🎧 Tune in now!

Spotify 👉 https://open.spotify.com/episode/5kZvAKnY0hWMBmwxk9ILd1
Apple Podcasts 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/an-introduction-to-asian-family-services/id1830922007?i=1000771722712

🔗 Learn more about AFS: www.asianfamilyservices.org.nz

🎧✨ New episode alert!

Episode 18 of Holding space is now live!

This week, we kōrero w/ Whāraurau Principal Advisor Lisa Maughan about the parenting programmes Triple P & Incredible Years. Lisa shares how these programmes support parents, caregivers, teachers, and whānau – and the role Whāraurau plays in strengthening workforce training and delivery across Aotearoa

Listen now 👇

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4pYpV3SidOHcLR4DYEBY2X
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/an-introduction-to-the-triple-p-and/id1830922007?i=1000769517527

New resource: Supporting wellbeing, resilience & effective leadership in Aotearoa | A toolkit for team leaders 💚

This practical toolkit is for leaders working across the infant, child, and adolescent mental health sector to support team wellbeing, lead confidently through change, and strengthen resilience in themselves and their kaimahi.

Designed for everyday use, it can support team hui, one-on-one conversations, or end-of-day reflection in busy environments.

The toolkit was developed collaboratively by Dr Bronwyn Dunnachie from Whāraurau and Wendy Donaldson from Te Pou

Interested in using this in your mahi? Access here: https://www.wharaurau.org.nz/all-resources/supporting-wellbeing-resilience-effective-leadership-in-aotearoa-a-toolkit-for-team-leaders

We have not one, but TWO sessions of Lunchtime learning sessions coming up this June! 👏

Introduction to Mentalisation Based Therapy for Adolescents (MBT-A)

3 June | 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Join Dr Mark Dangerfield for this online session, which offers a clear introduction to MBT-A, focusing on its relevance for everyday clinical work with rangatahi.

Register 👉 https://www.wharaurau.org.nz/all-resources/lunchtime-learning-introduction-to-mentalisation-based-therapy-for-adolescents-mbt-a-03062026

Substance use and harm reduction: Volatile substances, practical tools, & current trends

4 June | 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Join Spencer Dietrich and Melanie Saxton from NZ Drug Foundation for this online session exploring current substance use trends and harm reduction.

Register 👉 https://www.wharaurau.org.nz/all-resources/lunchtime-learning-substance-use-harm-reduction-volatile-substances-practical-tools-current-trends-04062026

🎙 Episode 17 of Holding space is now live! In this episode, we talk w/ Professor Vanessa Cobham about how parents and caregivers can navigate tough conversations with children following traumatic experiences.

Vanessa shares practical advice on finding the balance between over-discussing and under-discussing difficult topics, and why staying silent or “letting sleeping dogs lie” can sometimes do more harm than good for tamariki in the long run.

Listen now 👇

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/talking-through-trauma-finding-the-right-balance-with-kids/id1830922007?i=1000767230491
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1JAqZ3J6jEtL3q07IVy2eV

Consultation is still open on the draft Mental Health & Wellbeing Strategy from Ministry of Health New Zealand.

If you have lived and living experience, are part of whānau or communities, work in services, or support others – your perspective is important.

Make a submission by Monday, 18 May 2026. ⏳👇

We’re halfway through consultation — there’s still time to have your say.
Public consultation is open on the draft Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which will guide how mental health and wellbeing are supported in Aotearoa New Zealand over the next 10 years.

Whether you have lived or living experience, are part of a whānau or community, or support others — your perspective matters.

💬 Take part by making a submission or signing up for one of our online consultation sessions.
🗓️ Consultation open until 18 May 2026

More information below (links in comments).

🎧 New episode of Holding Space is live!

In this episode, Peter Thorburn shares practical insights on how we can better support rangatahi navigating mental health and addiction challenges, with a focus on connection, understanding, and recovery.

Listen now:

Spotify 👉 open.spotify.com/episode/5LYa2x1Zd5k9rtwzqxNidV
Apple Podcasts 👉 podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/supporting-rangatahi-through-addiction-and-recovery/id1830922007?i=1000763842672

Keen to grow your confidence in using data in the mental health and addiction sector?

Join us at 12:00pm on Thursday, 7 May for the upcoming edition of Lunchtime learning: Beyond the dashboard | Understanding child & youth MHA data. 👩‍💻

In this one-hour, online session, Abigail McDonald and Eden Grimwood will introduce you to the KPI Programme with a focus on child and youth services.

Expect a practical, accessible overview designed to build understanding, spark curiosity, and support you to engage more confidently with data, all while keeping young people at the centre of your practice.

Register now 👉 https://www.wharaurau.org.nz/all-resources/lunchtime-learning-beyond-the-dashboard-understanding-child-youth-mha-data-07052026