Ki Te Ao Mārama: Understanding trauma-informed approaches & pathways to healing | Workshop 2

Join us for the second in a series of workshops run by Te Pou, Le Va, Te Rau Ora, and Whāraurau.

These workshops are aimed at kaimahi, leaders, and educators across the mental health and addictions sector

Workshop 2 consists of two sessions exploring Pacific perspectives and lived experience:

Session one: Honouring story, restoring spirit | Understanding Pacific approaches to trauma-informed practice

Presented by Nicholas Cao (Le Va) and Siosinita Alofi (Whāraurau), this session introduces a pan-Pacific and culturally grounded perspective on trauma-informed, healing-centred care for the mental health and addiction workforce. It explores how Pacific values, relational approaches, and frameworks such as the Fonofale model, can strengthen safety, trust, and engagement with Pacific individuals and families.

Session two: Understanding trauma through lived experience | How systems can shape experience

Presented by Tai Bennett (Whāraurau), Amanda Bradley (Te Pou), and Caro Swanson (Te Pou), this session brings a lived experience approach to the discussion of trauma-informed care. From a young person’s perspective, they do not experience “services” as separate entities, but rather a series of adult responses to their pain. When these responses are inconsistent, unexplained, or primarily focused on control and risk management, trauma is often compounded and not resolved.

This discussion invites you to reflect on the uncomfortable but necessary idea that systems can both support and harm, and that trauma-informed care requires recognising the role care plays in shaping outcomes.

Following the presentation, the speakers will be joined by Romy Lee (Asian Family Services) and Kerri Butler (Take Notice & Te Pou) for a panel discussion.

Learning outcomes

• Enhance understanding of indigenous Pacific conceptualisations of trauma
• Increase knowledge of protective factors for Pacific peoples that buffer against the impact of trauma
• Build confidence in applying healing-centred principles when working with Pacific peoples
• Understand how young people with trauma experience systems, and how inconsistency and service boundaries can unintentionally increase distress
• Recognise the subtle ways language, labels, and everyday interactions effect safety, dignity, and agency
• Learn to interrupt harm by fostering consistency, transparency, and relational trust across services.

Note: Registrations for this event are managed by Whāraurau. By selecting 'Register Now', you will be redirected to the Whāraurau website where you will be able to register for the workshop.