Pūmahara Consultants

18/08/2026

Professional development is most powerful when it is not a one-off event, but an ongoing journey that grows with the people and the organisation. Over recent months, Pumahara Consultants has had the privilege of working alongside one community organisation to do exactly that, delivering a series of monthly workshops designed to build the knowledge, confidence and capability of their staff over time. This article reflects on that journey with Te Roopu Tautoko ki te Tonga in Ōtepoti Dunedin, and the value of investing deliberately in the people who support some of our most vulnerable and complex community members. If your organisation is looking for practical, tailored professional development across areas such as cultural safety, boundaries, de-escalation, mental health, substance use, safer home visiting, self-care, case management and legislation, Pumahara Consultants can work with you to develop a programme that fits your team and your context. Get in touch for further information or to discuss what we could build together.

It has been a real pleasure over recent months to be engaged with Te Roopu Tautoko ki te Tonga in Ōtepoti Dunedin, supporting the ongoing professional development of their Kaitūwhana. These kaimahi work in an advocacy and support space alongside people in the community whose lives can be incredibl...

13/07/2026

RIL MATUA Ruru.
Moe mai rā

“Kua hinga te tōtara i Te Waonui a Tāne”

29/04/2026

04/02/2026

Some days sharing your knowledge with cool community support teams is just such a privilege.
Thankyou Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust
This is an awesome team.

19/01/2026

I’m really pleased to share the launch of MHERC Learning On-Demand 🎉
This new platform brings together an amazing range of high-quality, evidence-informed workshops that people can access when and where it suits them. The breadth of topics, perspectives, and expertise on offer is genuinely impressive.

Some of the courses available are ones I’ve been involved in, but many are delivered by colleagues whose work I deeply respect. Together, they reflect a strong commitment to accessible, thoughtful professional development that supports the wellbeing of individuals, organisations, and communities across Aotearoa.

If you’re working in health, social services, education, community support, or leadership — or you support people who are — there’s real value here.

👉 Explore the Learning On-Demand platform:
https://mhercondemand.org.nz/ #/public-dashboard

Massive credit to MHERC and to all the facilitators who shared their time, expertise, and whakaaro to make this possible. This is collective mahi at its best.

23/12/2025

Pumahara Consultants | 2025 Year in Review

As 2025 draws to a close, I want to pause and acknowledge the extraordinary mahi happening across our sectors — and to reflect on what has been a full, humbling, and deeply meaningful year for us at Pumahara Consultants.

Pumahara Consultants | 2025 Year in Review As 2025 draws to a close, I want to pause and acknowledge the extraordinary mahi happening across our sectors — and to reflect on what has been a full, humbling, and deeply meaningful year for us at Pumahara Consultants. Our Reach and Mahi in 2025 This ye...

30/07/2025

11/01/2025

It’s baffling—and heartbreaking—that so many individuals, often those who appear privileged, well-off, and entirely removed from the realities of racism or socioeconomic struggle, feel compelled to demean others who are less fortunate. Their comments suggest not only a lack of compassion but also an unwillingness to engage in meaningful discourse or consider perspectives outside their narrow worldview.

This rise in overt hostility cannot be separated from the political landscape. Recent legislative changes and rhetoric from the current government seem to have emboldened those who harbour such divisive attitudes. Where Aotearoa NZ once prided itself on being a community-oriented nation, epitomised by the “Be Kind” ethos during the pandemic, we now see a shift. Kindness and collective care have been replaced by increasingly visible abuse—not only on social media but also on the streets.

Reflecting on the abuse received on social media, it’s baffling—and heartbreaking—that so many individuals, often those who appear privileged, well-off, and…

26/11/2024

Post-op Day 1: Surgery? Done. Dusted? Settled (mostly). The C3-6 laminectomy is officially in the books. Last night? Let’s just say it featured all the post-op classics: morphine nausea, a side of anxiety, and a smorgasbord of “what fresh hell is this?” But don’t worry, I’ll skip the gory details and stick to the highlight reel: I survived.

Pain? Oh yes. But here’s the upside: I already have slightly more sensation in my hands and a teeny bit more strength in my arms. We’re talking incremental improvements, but I’ll take it! Morphine got the chop by midday (bye-bye, nausea and vomiting) and now I’m on lighter oral meds. There’s a bit more pain, but fewer side effects, so the trade-off is worth it.

Meanwhile, my friends have been delivering absolute gold. Maggie and Nina Rae arrived with Stretch the giraffe (who looks like he’s also recovering from neck surgery—solidarity, mate) to join the zoo alongside rhino and a bag of scorched almonds for when I’m ready to trade chocs for something a little more wholesome. Sheryl and Suzanno brought Kiwi chocs, preop to join the other preop supply bought in by whanau Lucas Fahey because clearly, they all understand that sugar = healing.

Nana G swept in for the second time today from her mahi party with a mindfulness sandscape to focus on and to help again with the evening ablutions. (This morning I was particularly grateful given that the idea of the young male nurse—not much older than our eldest grandson—helping me with that was not something I could mentally prepare for. Lovely lad, efficient and super friendly nurse but nope.)

So here I am, navigating Day 1 post-op with a stash of treats, a supportive crew, and a giraffe mascot. Managing the pain, and the amazing multidisciplinary team.

Onward, friends! Stretch and I have got this—almonds in one hand, chocs in the other.

Thanks everyone for all your super messages. They cheer me up no end. 🌺🤣🌺

26/11/2024

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