Holding space

Whāraurau

5.0 (1)
Mental Health

Holding space is a podcast from Whāraurau. In each episode, we sit down with people from across the infant, child, and adolescent mental health and addiction sector, and related sectors, to korero about the work, the challenges, and the heart behind supporting our tamariki and rangatahi. Join us as we hold space for honest conversations, shared learning, and collective growth. This podcast is hosted by Dr. Bronwyn Dunnachie and Tepora Pukepuke.

3 days ago

The Mental Health Foundation: Advocacy, wellbeing, and support

In this episode of Holding space, Shaun Robinson, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, discusses the Foundation’s work in advocacy, wellbeing promotion, and mental health support. He also explores the impact of social determinants such as housing, poverty, discrimination, and social connection on mental wellbeing, and highlights why improving mental health requires action far beyond clinical services. Shaun Robinson is Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation. He describes himself as a father, partner, friend, gardener, amateur musician, sometimes surfer, mental health advocate, and organisational leader; he also lives with bipolar disorder. His career has spanned a wide range of issues from the care and protection of children to HIV/AIDS. Shaun is privileged to use his own lived experience and skills to contribute to improving the mental health and wellbeing of all people in Aotearoa. Follow Whāraurau Stay up to date with our training opportunities, resources, and workforce updates. LinkedIn: https://nz.linkedin.com/company/wh%C4%81raurau Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wharaurau/
20 July

OCD explained: Evidence-based approaches for young people

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood and trivialised, yet it can have a profound impact on children, young people, and their whānau | family. In this episode of the Holding space podcast, clinical psychologist Marthinus Bekker unpacks what OCD really is, and how obsessions and compulsions become a powerful cycle that’s difficult to break. We also explore common misconceptions of OCD, and the evidence-based approaches used to treat it, including exposure and response prevention (ERP), and the pioneering Bergen 4-day OCD treatment. Marthinus Bekker is a clinical psychologist with experience across public, university, and private settings. He has worked in child adolescent & family services and inpatient and forensic services. He conducts clinical and neuropsychological assessments and provides cognitive, behavioural, and acceptance-based therapies, with a focus on dialectical behavioural therapy. Follow Whāraurau Stay up to date with our training opportunities, resources, and workforce updates. LinkedIn: https://nz.linkedin.com/company/wh%C4%81raurau Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wharaurau/
6 July

Creating services that work for young people

In this episode, Chloé Guinaudie shares her experiences working in youth mental health, including embedding lived experience into services and supporting the development of youth hubs. She explores early intervention, building trust with young people and families, and what meaningful youth engagement can look like in practice. Chloé Guinaudie is a mental health consultant with over eight years’ experience in youth mental health systems across Canada, Tanzania and Europe. She has helped design, implement and scale integrated services including ACCESS Open Minds, Aire ouverte and Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario. Her work spans prevention, early intervention, service transformation and embedding lived experience in research, policy and care. She specialises in participatory approaches, stakeholder engagement and translating evidence into youth-centred practice. Chloé currently consults for WHO Europe’s mental health team and advises a global prevention project with Orygen and Wellcome. Follow Whāraurau Stay up to date with our training opportunities, resources, and workforce updates. LinkedIn: ⁠https://nz.linkedin.com/company/wh%C4%81raurau⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/wharaurau/⁠
22 June

Kia Ora Ake | Supporting tamariki wellbeing in schools

In this episode, we speak with Romy Lee from Asian Family Services, who introduces Kia Ora Ake, a school-based mental health programme in Counties Manukau. Romy is a Mental Health and Addiction (MHA) all-rounder, with experience spanning lived experience leadership, clinical practice, sector leadership and service design. She heads the lived experience portfolio at Asian Family Services, leading Kia Ora Ake – a first-of-its-kind, peer-led and clinically informed primary mental health service. Learn more about Asian Family Services at: www.asianfamilyservices.org.nz Follow Whāraurau Stay up to date with our training opportunities, resources, and workforce updates. LinkedIn: ⁠https://nz.linkedin.com/company/wh%C4%81raurau⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/wharaurau/⁠
8 June

An introduction to Asian Family Services

In this episode, we speak with Dr Kelly Feng from Asian Family Services (AFS). Kelly shares her clinical and leadership journey, her passion for service development, and insights into the wide range of support AFS provides, including mental health, gambling harm, and school-based initiatives. We discuss the challenges Asian communities in Aotearoa face, the importance of culturally safe care, and Kelly’s vision for a future where all communities can thrive with equitable support. Dr Kelly Feng (MNZM) is Chief Executive of Asian Family Services (AFS). Since 2016, her transformative leadership has driven innovation in mental health and addiction support. Trained as a medical doctor in China and later registered as a social worker in New Zealand, she combines clinical expertise with cultural insight and frontline empathy. She helped establish Asian mental health in secondary mental health, and pioneered initiatives amplifying Asian community voices. Her leadership has seen AFS secure multiple Ministry of Health grants and lead nationally significant research, advancing culturally responsive, equitable, and evidence-based services for Asian New Zealanders. Learn more about Asian Family Services at: www.asianfamilyservices.org.nz Follow Whāraurau Stay up to date with our training opportunities, resources, and workforce updates. LinkedIn: ⁠https://nz.linkedin.com/company/wh%C4%81raurau⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/wharaurau/⁠
25 May

An introduction to the Triple P and Incredible Years programmes

In this episode, we talk to our very own Lisa Maughan to explore the parenting programmes Triple P – Positive Parenting Programme and Incredible Years (IY). Lisa shares how these programmes support parents, caregivers, teachers, and whānau, along with the role Whāraurau plays in supporting workforce training and programme delivery across Aotearoa. Lisa Maughan is a Principal Advisor at Whāraurau, leading the Parent and Teacher team. Her work includes supporting and providing workforce training to the Ministry of Health regional roll out of Triple P, and the Ministry of Education national Incredible Years | Teacher Classroom Management programmes. In the episode, Lisa references the following research: Population-based prevention of child maltreatment: the U.S. Triple P system population trial (2009). Ronald J Prinz, Matthew R Sanders, Cheri J Shapiro, Daniel J Whitaker, John R Lutzker. Working with parents to treat anxiety-disordered children: A proof of concept RCT evaluating Fear-less Triple P (2017). Vanessa E Cobham, Ania Filus, Matthew R Sanders. Info for parents and caregivers: Interested in Triple P? Visit their website to learn more. Interested in Incredible Years? Contact your local Ministry of Education office for programme information. Info for practitioners: Explore our Triple P resources for practitioners Explore our Incredible Years resources for practitioners Follow Whāraurau Stay up to date with our training opportunities, resources, and workforce updates. LinkedIn: ⁠https://nz.linkedin.com/company/wh%C4%81raurau⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/wharaurau/⁠
11 May

Talking through trauma: Finding the right balance with kids

In this episode, we talk to Professor Vanessa Cobham, who shares practical insights for parents on navigating conversations with their children about traumatic experiences. Vanessa explores how to strike the right balance between over-discussing and under-discussing difficult topics, and explains why staying silent, or “letting sleeping dogs lie” can often be more harmful for a child in the long run. Professor Vanessa Cobham is a Clinical Psychologist holding research and clinical appointments respectively within the School of Psychology, University of Queensland; and within Children’s Health Queensland’s Child and Youth Mental Health Service. Follow Whāraurau Stay up to date with our training opportunities, resources, and workforce updates. LinkedIn: ⁠https://nz.linkedin.com/company/wh%C4%81raurau⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/wharaurau/⁠
27 Apr

Supporting rangatahi through addiction and recovery

In this episode, we sit down with Peter Thorburn, Director at Meth Education and Solution Services (MESS). He reflects on his journey through addiction, time in prison, and eventual recovery, and shares insights into how to better support rangatahi facing mental health and addiction challenges. Peter also examines gaps in the current system, highlighting the importance of building whānau capacity, and how connection, belonging, and hope can foster change across generations. Peter Thorburn overcame a 23-year struggle with addiction, including eight years of methamphetamine dependence. Since his release from prison in 2005, he has worked as an AOD clinician, clinical supervisor, consumer advisor, and facilitator. In 2017, he established Meth Education and Solution Services (MESS), which delivers workforce development and clinical training across the mental health and addictions sector. Follow Whāraurau Stay up to date with our training opportunities, resources, and workforce updates. LinkedIn: ⁠https://nz.linkedin.com/company/wh%C4%81raurau⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/wharaurau/⁠

Holding space is a podcast from Whāraurau. In each episode, we sit down with people from across the infant, child, and adolescent mental health and addiction sector, and related sectors, to korero about the work, the challenges, and the heart behind supporting our tamariki and rangatahi. Join us as we hold space for honest conversations, shared learning, and collective growth. This podcast is hosted by Dr. Bronwyn Dunnachie and Tepora Pukepuke.

Creator

Whāraurau
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

24
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Whāraurau
Show Website

Holding space

Self-Improvement

Self-Improvement

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Health & Fitness

Health & Fitness

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