We look forward to hosting you over two informative and inspiring days. Kia Ora and welcome to all our wonderful speakers. We are proud to introduce some of them to you now.

 

Jess Hita and Tuhoro Paki 

Kanorau Consultancy is a whānau-led kaupapa committed to supporting whānau and professionals on their takiwātanga (autism) journeys. Founded by Jess Hita and Tuhoro Paki, Kanorau blends lived experience, professional expertise, and mātauranga Māori to create safe, empowering spaces for learning, connection, and growth. Jess and Tuhoro will share knowledge around takiwātanga from a te ao Māori worldview, and what this looks like in day to day practice.  

​

Elen Nathan (she / her)  

Elen is a Kaiwhakaora Ngangahau - Occupational Therapist, founder and director of The Playful Place - a neuro-diverse affirming occupational therapy practice in Aotearoa New Zealand. Elen is a passionate therapist, whose practice centres around protecting and building self-esteem and whole whānau wellbeing for those with whom she works, creating safe spaces for all, and providing resources and therapies that are person-centred. After birthing her first child at 29 weeks, Elen embarked on a professional and personal journey to complete her post-grad internationally in sensory integration and developmental trauma to improve outcomes for those with sensory processing differences in Aotearoa.  She now provides professional development across the country to support integrating this knowledge into everyday practice in schools, hospitals, social work spaces and homes.  

​

An enthusiastic and creative presenter, Elen weaves heart and mind knowledge together to support realistic, sustainable change. 

 

 

Nathan Wallis 

Nathan Wallis is a father of three, Poua (Grandad) of five and a foster parent with a professional background in child trauma counselling, teaching and human development. 

 

He lectured in human development at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch for many years and was also a board member and the senior trainer for the national body in Aotearoa/New Zealand charged with the responsibility for disseminating neuroscientific research to professionals and community. 

 

Since the early 2000s, Nathan's consultancy and training roles have focused on facilitating professional development that is easily understood, reflecting the latest neuroscientific research discoveries and their practical implications for everyday life. He is in hot demand and presents worldwide, helping people better understand how we grow, learn and develop. He has developed a reputation as a lively and engaging speaker who uses humour and plain language to make this complex topic absolutely come to life.

 

In addition to being a regular on New Zealand television screens and news media shows - as an expert advisor on topics related to the human brain, child development or trauma informed practice - he now also has a show of his own on Māori TV, "Kids don't come with a manual". Topics are explored and delivered within an indigenous knowledge-base and worldview as it relates to parenting. 

​

Dr Shelley Moore 

Based in British Columbia Canada, Dr Shelley Moore is a highly sought after inclusive education researcher, teacher, consultant and storyteller. She has worked with school districts and community organisations around the world. Her research explores how to support teachers to design for all learners in grade-level academic classrooms that include students with intellectual disabilities using strength-based and responsive approaches. Shelley completed her undergraduate degree in Special Education at the University of Alberta, her Masters at Simon Fraser University, and her Ph.D. at the University of British Columbia. 

​

Jolene Stockman

Jolene (Te Ātiawa) is a multi-award winning, multiply-neurodivergent TEDx speaker, author, and instructional designer. A global inclusion educator, Jolene’s first two books about autism are out now with Hachette (UK). As a working, married, autistic parent of two, Jolene is currently pursuing a Master’s degree. She is excited to rewrite normal and centre autistic joy.

​

Dr Jessica Gerbic

Dr Gerbic is a registered Clinical Psychologist dedicated to helping individuals navigate life’s stressors, overcome challenges, and work toward a more fulfilling life. With a compassionate and collaborative approach, she supports her clients in developing healthier coping strategies and strengthening their sense of self-efficacy and confidence.

​

Dr Gerbic has extensive experience working with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and across all age groups. She currently practices in public mental health, providing psychological services within a Māori Adult Mental Health setting and as part of a Regional Youth Forensic team, working across both community and residential environments.

 

Before becoming a Clinical Psychologist, Dr Gerbic spent over 12 years as a youth worker in both the NGO and state sectors. During this time, she focused on delivering behavioural and social skills interventions to adolescents and their whānau - experience that continues to inform her warm and grounded therapeutic style today. 

​

Paul Tupou-Vea

Paul is a passionate and experienced wellbeing consultant specialising in education and youth development. With 20 years in the field, Paul has vast experience in secondary and tertiary education and not-for-profit organisations. As the founder and director of Clifftop Wellbeing, Paul is dedicated to supporting leaders, educators and ākonga to thrive in supportive, wellbeing-generating environments by integrating systems thinking, social science, psychology and culturally responsive practice. Paul is also a papa to three boys, Associate at Ed Connect, Co-Founder of Teachers Well (AU), board member for the Graeme Dingle Foundation and former president of the NZ Association of Positive Psychology.

​

Dr Dione Healey

Professor Healey’s research focuses on the development of self-regulation in childhood. She is a clinical psychologist, passionate about changing the developmental trajectory for children, particularly those with areas of under-developed skills. A key focus of her research is her ENGAGE programme which fosters the development of self-regulation skills through play.

 

ENGAGE has been used both in home and school settings. Research studies have shown that it has led to improvements in children’s behavioural, emotional, and cognitive self-regulation abilities, that are maintained over time. The New Zealand government is currently funding a roll-out of ENGAGE within Early Childhood Education (ECE) settings nationwide, with the Methodist Mission Southern holding the license to train ECE teachers in the use of ENGAGE. Initial trials of ENGAGE within primary schools have shown promise, with the hope for more work to happen within this space in the near future. Suzie Harris and Fonda Bennetts will facilitate an ENGAGE workshop on Thursday afternoon, after Professor Healey's presentation. 

​