Te Pou

31/05/2026

What’s on in June at Te Pou?

We are hosting a range of workshops, webinars, and hui to strengthen the mental health and addiction sector.

• Virtual training to get the most out of the ADOM dashboard.

• Online workshops on cognitive connection, and mental health and addiction screening and assessment.

• The final two sessions of a four-part webinar series to support the sector in understanding Te Mana Hononga – The power of connection, a framework developed to support least restrictive practice in Aotearoa.

• Community of practice for new addiction practitioners.

• Five-day Youth Mental Health First Aid new instructor training in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

• Keeping it Real | Kia Pono te Tika forum for champions in Kirikiriroa Hamilton.

• Lunchtime learning session for primary care nurses focusing on risk formulation within the primary care context.

Learn more about the upcoming training opportunities and register on our website 👉 https://www.tepou.co.nz/events

29/05/2026

That’s a wrap!

All six episodes of The Difference season two are out now. 12 fantastic guests joined host Alexia Black, Te Pou project lead, to discuss all things support work.

This season featured episodes on whānau support, supporting older people, peer support in emergency departments, supporting parents, ethics and boundaries, and support work from a cultural lens.

Watch, listen, and learn more about each episode here: https://www.tepou.co.nz/initiatives/support-work/the-difference-podcast/ -two

26/05/2026

Support workers are integral to recovery, providing practical and emotional support throughout mental health and/or addiction treatment.

Te Pou conducted research to better understand how an increase in more complex needs and demand for services impacts support workers’ learning and development needs. Participants shared insights into what complex needs means for their service, their biggest challenges, the knowledge and skills support workers require, and useful learning formats or resources.

Key themes and findings include:

● increased pressure: growing complexity in the needs of tāngata whai ora and whānau is placing significant demand on kaimahi

● safety first: kaimahi safety and wellbeing has become a top priority as roles expand

● learning and development evolution: learning and development must adapt quickly to ensure kaimahi have the skills to meet these modern challenges

● the power of connection: whanaungatanga remains the essential foundation for providing holistic, integrated support

● systemic hurdles: funding and system barriers continue to make responding to complex needs more difficult for kaimahi.

Read the research snapshot: https://www.tepou.co.nz/resources/working-alongside-tangata-whai-ora-and-whanau-with-complex-needs-snapshot

Read the full report: https://www.tepou.co.nz/resources/working-alongside-tangata-whai-ora-and-whanau-with-complex-needs-engagement-summary

25/05/2026

New resource: Embedding training into practice

What happens in the workplace before, during, and after training strongly influences how effectively kaimahi can apply their learnings from training into practice.

An organisation culture of openness, responsiveness, and transparency around learning and development will enhance kaimahi experience of training and its outcomes.

A new factsheet is available that provides practical tips for leaders and managers to consider before, during, and after kaimahi attend training to help integrate new knowledge and skills into practice.

Download the factsheet here: https://www.tepou.co.nz/resources/embedding-training-into-practice

22/05/2026

Congratulations to Animates Vetcare NZ for your commitment to mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. Te Pou holds the licence for Mental Health First Aid Aotearoa in New Zealand, and we are proud to see the impact the programme is having in workplaces, schools and communities across the motu 💗

21/05/2026

The 2025 Skills Matter results show another year of strengthening Aotearoa New Zealand’s mental health and addiction workforce.

Skills Matter provides funding for postgraduate training for new graduates and existing practitioners. In 2025, 603 students took part in Skills Matter programmes, with the largest cohort being 313 new mental health and addiction nurses entering specialist practice across the motu.

Themes in the student feedback report highlight:

● strong opportunities for clinicians to apply learning directly to practice to ensure high-quality care

● strengthened clinical confidence in supporting tāngata whai ora safely and effectively

● professional growth, leadership capability, and career advancement, helping to build a confident and future‑ready workforce.

The programme supports culturally grounded practice, with training reinforcing enhanced cultural responsiveness and holistic approaches.

“It has opened my eyes to the difference I can make, and given me confidence to advocate and encourage tāngata whai ora and their whānau to challenge medical opinions.” - NESP student.

The sustained investment in people, from new clinicians to emerging leaders, continues to improve experiences and outcomes for tāngata whai ora and whānau across Aotearoa.

Read the full report here: https://www.tepou.co.nz/resources/2025-skills-matter-student-feedback-report

Te Pou manages Skills Matter funding on behalf of Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora.

19/05/2026

One in five young people met thresholds for high levels of psychological distress according to the Youth Health and Wellbeing Survey 2025.

Undertaken by the Ministry of Social Development, the nationally representative survey of around 9,400 young people (aged 13 to 19) aims to understand youth health and wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Key findings show that approximately:

· two-thirds of young people reported having good or excellent wellbeing (65.6%)

· one in eight reported high levels of depressive symptoms (13.2%)

· one in three may be at high risk of having possible disordered eating problems (31.6%)

· over half reported seeking mental health support from friends (63.6%) or a parent or known adult (55.3%)

· only 6.1% reported access to professional mental health support and 3.4% sought support from a GP.

This Youth Week (18 to 24 May), we recognise those young people who are struggling and feel like they can’t speak up. This year’s theme, Our voices matter! We deserve to be heard | Taringa whakarongo! Ki te reo o ngā taiohi, calls on all of us to not only listen, but respond with care.

Read the full report here: https://www.msd.govt.nz/about-msd-and-our-work/publications-resources/consultations/youth-health-and-wellbeing-survey-results/index.html

19/05/2026

A great new resource developed in collaboration with Whāraurau for team leaders working across the mental health and addiction sector.

This practical toolkit supports team wellbeing, builds resilience, and helps leaders navigate change with confidence.

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

19/05/2026

Te Mana Hononga: The Power of Connection

Last week, Te Pou welcomed more than 50 kaimahi, leaders, people with lived experience, and sector representatives from across Aotearoa to the first webinar in the Te Mana Hononga: The Power of Connection series.

The introductory session marked the beginning of a four-part webinar series supporting the transition from the Six Core Strategies© to Te Mana Hononga, a new Aotearoa-centric framework for least restrictive practice.

We were also honoured to hear from Dr Kevin Ann Huckshorn, who reflected on the importance of this kaupapa and the significance of shaping the Six Core Strategies© through an Aotearoa lens.

As part of this week’s focus on Te Mana Hononga, we’re also sharing this short video from Kahurangi Fergusson-Tibble, who speaks about the meaning behind the name Te Mana Hononga and the importance of connection, relationships, and mana in supporting compassionate and culturally grounded care.

Watch the full video here: https://vimeo.com/1191326341?share=copy&fl=cl&fe=ci

Please join us on Wednesday 27 May, noon to 1.30pm for webinar two, focusing on the rautaki Mātau ā-wheako and Rangatiratanga, exploring lived experience leadership and culturally grounded leadership.

Explore the framework, resources, and register for upcoming webinars here: https://www.tepou.co.nz/initiatives/least-restrictive-practice-2/te-mana-hononga-the-power-of-connection

18/05/2026

From 18 to 24 May, Youth Week celebrates the voices, ideas and leadership of rangatahi across Aotearoa New Zealand. This year’s theme, Our voices matter! We deserve to be heard | Taringa whakarongo! Ki te reo o ngā taiohi, calls on all of us to not only listen, but respond with care.

At Te Pou, we are proud to hold the New Zealand licence for Mental Health First Aid Aotearoa (MHFA), including the Youth MHFA programme.

Youth MHFA equips those working with young people, including teachers, youth workers and youth group leaders, coaches, nurses, counsellors and whānau, with the skills to recognise, respond to, and support rangatahi experiencing mental health challenges.

This Youth Week, we celebrate the impact of Youth MHFA and the people using these skills every day to support young people to feel heard, safe, and understood.

Because listening is just the beginning. Knowing how to respond can make all the difference.