Holding space

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

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

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.

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.

In this episode, we talk to Jessica Apanui about the vital importance of lived experience roles in the mental health and addiction workforce. Jess shares insights from her work on the Mana Over Meth Kura Kaupapa programme and offers guidance for practitioners and whānau on how best to support young people navigating addiction. She also shares personal reflections and advice – grounded in her own lived experience with meth addiction.
Jessica Apanui is Principal Advisor – Lived experience addictions at Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand. She is a passionate advocate for transforming the approach to addiction in Aotearoa. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in areas such as methamphetamine education, gambling harm prevention, research and evaluation, governance, and culturally grounded approaches that prioritise the wellbeing of Māori whānau.
You can also watch a short documentary about Jess’s story here:
A Methamphetamine Recovery Story – Mana Over Meth
Warning: This film contains reenactments of drug abuse and addiction that some viewers may find disturbing and/or triggering.