Holding space

Whāraurau
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  • Mental Health
  • Updated Biweekly

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.

  1. Sep 21

    From adversity to purpose | A story of hope

    Philleen Dickson is the Ringa Tohutohu Matua – Māori Lead for Te Pou and in this episode she reflects on the impact of trauma, disconnection from whānau and culture, and the healing power of belonging. She explores how reconnecting with whakapapa, supportive relationships and lived experience shaped her path. For clinicians and anyone supporting tamariki, taiohi and whānau, this episode is a moving reminder that sometimes the most transformative intervention is being the one safe person who listens, believes and sees potential beyond a diagnosis.

    From adversity to purpose | A story of hope

  2. Sep 7

    Nothing for us without us | The voice of lived experience

    What happens when we stop asking “What’s wrong with this young person?” and start asking “What’s happening around them?” In this episode, we sit down with Tai Bennett, Youth Consumer Advisor at Whāraurau, to explore what it truly means to centre the voices of taiohi in mental health care. Drawing on both lived experience and professional expertise, Tai challenges us to reflect on power, trust, bias, and the assumptions we bring into our work. Today's young people are growing up in a very different world, shaped by new pressures, changing environments, and complex systems. This conversation invites us to listen with curiosity and reconsider whose knowledge we value when supporting young people and their whānau. From lived experience and cultural perspectives to trust, relationships, and genuine partnership, Tai reminds usof a simple but powerful principle: nothing for us without us. Whether you're working directly with children and young people or helping shape services around them, this episode offers valuable insights into creating care that is more responsive, respectful, and centred on the voices of taiohi.

    Nothing for us without us | The voice of lived experience

  3. Aug 17

    Connecting research to action & the role of Vine

    In this episode, we speak with Dr Charlotte Moore, Kaiwhakahaere of Vine (Violence Information Aotearoa). Charlotte shares the story behind Vine, how the organisation connects people with trusted research and resources, and why access to knowledge is critical for practitioners, policymakers and communities. The conversation also explores the wellbeing of children and young people and the ongoing debate surrounding youth access to social media. Charlotte Moore is Kaiwhakahaere at Vine. Her PhD in sociology at Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland examined the National-led government’s social investment approach and its impact on social services in Aotearoa. She has also worked in research and violence prevention with WAVES Trust and contributed to national tangata whenua advisory and working groups across the family violence and sexual violence sectors. Vine resources links: https://vine.org.nz/news/youth-health-and-wellbeing-survey-2025-released https://vine.org.nz/news/final-report-on-harm-young-new-zealanders-encounter-online-released-related-news-and-research https://vine.org.nz/news/relationship-and-sexuality-education-media-research-resources-and-new-campaign 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/

    Connecting research to action & the role of Vine

  4. Aug 3

    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/

    The Mental Health Foundation: Advocacy, wellbeing, and support

  5. Jul 20

    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/

    OCD explained: Evidence-based approaches for young people

  6. Jul 6

    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/⁠

    Creating services that work for young people

  7. Jun 22

    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/⁠

    Kia Ora Ake | Supporting tamariki wellbeing in schools

  8. Jun 8

    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/⁠

    An introduction to Asian Family Services
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Whāraurau
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Whāraurau
  • Show Website
    Holding space

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