Cool Change NZ

06/09/2026

We are nearly 1 week into the YOUTHLINE - CHANGING LIVES Walk the Talk Campaign!!

This campaign calls on all Kiwis to move their bodies every day for the month of September to raise awareness and funds for youth mental health.

We all know young people deserve to have access to the support they need, so I’m calling on you to please participate or donate to this very important cause.

Last year - YouthLine received over 250,000 contacts from young people needing support. That is a LOT of young people!

If you can, please help support YOUTHLINE - CHANGING LIVES so they can continue helping young Kiwis!!

Also, check out the YOUTHLINE - CHANGING LIVES insta page for some top tier content.

06/09/2026

21/07/2026

I was recently involved in a panel for Health New Zealand’s emerging leaders event in Ōtautahi, Christchurch.

The panel included legends Vince Barry, Josiah Tualamali’i and was facilitated by National Director of Mental Health and Addictions, Philip Grady.

It was an enriching discussion about how we keep motivated and grounded in our work in the mental health sector (which can be super demanding at times), how we can work together towards common goals and what good leadership can look like (even if it’s not in the traditional sense).

We also touched on what the future could look like, including the risks, responsibilities and endless opportunities for providing mental health care to Kiwis.

I want everyone to know there are A LOT of people that care about the mental health of New Zealanders, even if it doesn’t always feel that way. (We know that feeling all too well)…

And we are making progress, even if it can feel slow!

I know that can also feel hopeless to hear when you’re struggling or someone you know is struggling… and you need help now.

There’s a lot more to do, and we will keep fighting the good fight until we get there! 🩵

Love to everyone. X

08/07/2026

Was great to present at the eMental Health International Collaborative (eMHIC) Roundtable last week in Wellington.

For a bit of a different take, I ran everyone through a practical real-world example of where someone may use digitally-enabled services (some options are already on the market, some may not be yet) and assessed whether people would actually use them.

The scenario was someone lying in bed (next to their partner) at 3am. They don’t want to wake them up, but need immediate help and advice (that is safe) to get to sleep and manage anxiety.

I ran through a bunch of ways tech can bridge the gap between that person at 3am and evidence-based, safe support, including from real people, like psychologists, clinicians and front line services.

The results were fascinating!

It was an enriching discussion with all attendees across HealthNZ, The Ministry of Health, sector leaders and our international whānau.

I want to remind everyone out there, your views matter, your ideas matter, and you can make a difference to how people access care when they need it. If you have any thoughts, I’d love to hear from you❤️

24/06/2026

“If you want to get good at rugby, you don’t ask a soccer player how to do it.”

I was lucky to be at Parliament this morning for the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission’s Roadmap Launch speaking to the importance of lived experience in co-design and delivery.

Basically what I’m saying here is that WE (the people with lived experience) need to be involved in policy design, service design, and decision-making so us and our whānau can get the right help at the right time!

Our opinions and our voice matter.

We know what we need to do to ensure Kiwis have access to timely and effective care, now we’ve just got to roll up our sleeves and get it done, together.

I want to acknowledge everyone from the lived experience community. I joked this morning that sharing our personal stories often feels like running butt naked through a crowded field. Although it can be difficult, as we know it’s incredibly important!

By the way… if you have some thoughts around how we can better be involved in the decision making process - please reach out to me. I would love to hear from you! 🙏🙏

Much aroha as always ❤️❤️

15/06/2026

Hi friends!! I hope everyone is doing well wherever in the world you are. I have been a busy bee working on some important mahi which I will update you on soon.

For now, I’m super happy to share that I have joined the team at eMental Health International Collaborative as an ambassador.

It was awesome to attend and speak at the previous two Congress meetings in Canada 2024 & 2025 where the best of the world shared their insights, learnings and priorities for providing digital mental health solutions around the globe.

I have been passionate about digital mental health solutions for years, particularly in the context of financial, geographical and capability barriers.

But there’s more to it.

Human beings are inherently complex. There are no two identical experiences.

Not everyone fits into a box of seeing a psychologist and boom - fixed. Equally, not everyone can rely solely on an app to fix their problems.

That’s why we need to provide solutions to people where they are, when they need it, and how they would like to receive it.

eMHIC help governments and organisations around the world integrate digital services into the wider mental health ecosystem, safely and sustainably, and we are getting to work here in NZ.

Let’s gooooooo!

20/12/2025

Sending love to everyone struggling this Christmas.

If you’ve got someone in your life who is having a tough time, here are some ways you can show love. 🖤

17/12/2025

I’m very excited to share that I am joining the board of The Samaritans Group Wellington.

The Samaritans have been providing support to New Zealanders for 60 years. They’re a free, confidential, 24/7 emotional support service for anyone in distress, loneliness or despair.

They serve as an non-judgemental ear for those in need.

The Samaritans would not be anything with out the amazing volunteers helping people in their community. It is a privilege to support their mission.

I have always been passionate about digital mental health support, because of my lived experience where accessing in person support was fragmented, inconsistent and almost impossible!

I strongly believe digital services help bridge the acces and equity gap, and will only ever elevate the system - not replace it.

One thing to keep in mind this Christmas though, is that some peoples only contact or communication will be to a support line. Be aware of this and how difficult the holiday period can be for so many, and if you can - give back. It can be so rewarding ❤️

To the Samaritan’s - I’m so excited to see what we will achieve together in 2026!

17/11/2025

Hi everyone!! I hope you’ve all had a great start to the week.

Only 5 weeks until Christmas can you believe it?? 🫨

Sorry it’s been a while since I last checked in but it’s been a busy time and I have some good news to share.

I’m about to board my flight to Canada to head back for the eMental Health International Collaborative Congress where over 40 countries are coming together to share ideas, lessons and insights about how we can utilise digital interventions in our mental health systems across the world.

A great friend of mine says that when it comes to mental health, every country is a developing country and that is very true. I think this is especially the case when it comes to digital interventions…. But the more we know, the more we can do!

I’m really excited to continue to learn from our friends overseas and see what nuggets of gold we can bring back home to NZ.

Hope you are all keeping well. Looking forward to sharing some of the stuff happening in Canada.

We are still fighting the good fight! 👊

15/06/2025

Last week I was a very lucky girl and got to launch my book ‘The Best is Yet to Come’ at New Zealand Parliament.

Once again I was incredibly humbled by the support of everyone who came, including many MPs. Thank you. I know you all care about this as much as I do - and that gives me great hope for the future.

I want to thank the host, New Zealand’s first Minister for Mental Health .dooceymp for making this possible. I hope he doesn’t mind me saying this, but there were a few tears over the night. I think it just resembles how much it means to us all to have happy and healthy families.

I’m also very proud to announce that all author proceeds from the book will be going to charity run by the amazing and . So if you buy a book - just know that’s a way for you to make a difference too.

It’s really important to me that the proceeds go towards something meaningful - and I know that Jazz and Gen are making a big difference to young people.

Thank you to everyone who has written in and sent messages so far. Some people have shared their personal stories from over 50 years ago! You all remind me that when we are vulnerable we can encourage others to be too.

I want to thank you to for all of the support over the years. It all started when I visited her as a constituent in my time of need many years ago...

Thanks to the team at for all of the support. Especially to Bill and Di 💛

To my partner , my Mummy , little bro John and little sis - we are all we need! ❤️

The biggest thanks of all, to and for everything you’ve both done for me, and for being the best cool sissy sisters a girl could ask for. You girls are rockstars - never forget it.

For anyone going through a tough time - I hope this book can remind you that it’s only ever temporary (no matter how bad it is at the time).

For everyone out there this Sunday eve - give you Mummies, Daddies, sisters, brothers, uncles, aunties, grandparents and friends the biggest squeeze possible.

As always, thank you ❤️

We are just getting started….