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• NZAPP Practitioner Event with Wiremu Gray & Anna Mowat. Positive Psychology in Action - Returning to what we know: mātauranga Māori and positive psychology in practice

  • When
    October 07, 2026
  •  
    12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
  • Location
    Online
  • Spaces left
    64

  Register

  About the session:
  

  
  

  How does our understanding of wellbeing shape how we show up for the people we work with, and the support that we offer?

  
  

  Wiremu Gray and Anna Mowat explore connections and distinctions between mātauranga Māori and positive psychology, considering what these perspectives offer our understanding of strengths, meaning, belonging and wellbeing. Drawing on their shared work with schools, tamariki and whānau, they look beyond individual goals to consider the relationships, identities and responsibilities that shape a person’s life.

  Through an everyday example and guided reflection, participants will consider how their own lens influences what they notice, the questions they ask and the possibilities they explore with the people they walk alongside in their mahi.

  
  

  What participants can take away:

  
  

  • Greater awareness of the assumptions about wellbeing they bring.
  • An introduction to points of connection between mātauranga Māori and positive psychology.
  • Practical questions that make more room for identity, relationships and collective wellbeing in everyday kōrero / talk. 

  
  

  About the speakers:

  
  

  Wiremu Gray MNZAC

  PEPEHĀ

  Ko te ahu pātiki te mauka

  Ko Koukourarata te awa

  Ko Tākitimu te Waka

  Ko Tahupōtiki te takata

  Ko Tūtehuarewa te Marae

  Ko Kāti Irakehu te hapū

  Ko Kāi Tahu rāua kāti porou ōku iwi.

  Ko Kuru rāua ko Mere Gray ōku matua

  Ko Wiremu Gray tōku ingoa.

  Wiremu is a Māori counsellor, educator, facilitator and keynote speaker with more than 25 years’ experience working alongside tamariki, rangatahi, whānau, schools, health providers and community organisations across Aotearoa New Zealand. He is the Director of Mana Facilitation Ltd and the creator of Te Whare Mauri Ora, a contemporary mauri-informed framework for wellbeing and practice grounded in mātauranga Māori and informed by complementary perspectives from counselling and positive psychology.

  Wiremu’s work explores wellbeing through an Indigenous and relational lens, with particular attention to mauri, whakapapa, identity, belonging, strengths, meaning, relationships and our connections to whenua and culture. His practice brings mātauranga Māori into conversation with contemporary psychological approaches while recognising the distinct whakapapa, values and worldviews from which different knowledge systems emerge. Alongside his work in counselling and education, Wiremu provides cultural and clinical supervision, professional development and leadership training, supporting leaders and organisations to strengthen culturally responsive practice and explore leadership through an Indigenous lens. His work has been implemented across numerous schools and organisations and continues to develop through collaboration with practitioners, whānau and communities.

  Wiremu is increasingly sought as a national and international keynote speaker and presenter, sharing kaupapa Māori perspectives on wellbeing, counselling, education, leadership and cultural responsiveness. At the heart of his mahi is a commitment to strengthening mauri and creating environments in which people can experience connection, dignity, hope, belonging and the conditions to flourish.

  
  

  Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi

  By working together we can all flourish

  https://www.manafacilitation.com

  Supporting article: 

  Anna Mowat

  Kia ora, I’m Anna Mowat, a child and whānau wellbeing specialist, writer and resource designer based in Aotearoa New Zealand. Through my organisations: Real Collective and Real Parents, I work alongside organisations, schools and communities to translate wellbeing ideas into practical programmes, resources and tools that support parents, practitioners and tamariki.

  I’ve contributed to a number of national initiatives including Sparklers, Tākai, Mitey, STOP Services, Manahau and News2Me (TVNZ). My work spans concept development, co-design, writing and programme development across education, parenting and community wellbeing.

  I’m currently working alongside Wiremu Gray through Te Whare Mauri Ora, supporting kaupapa Māori approaches to whole-school and community wellbeing. I’ve also co-designed and developed the parenting programme for regional prisons, supporting incarcerated parents to maintain or strengthen connection with their children.

  With a background in psychology and English, I bring together research-informed practice, creative design and real-world insight to develop initiatives that support connection, emotional wellbeing and resilience across whānau and school communities.

  https://www.realcollective.org.nz

  Cost:

  The event is free for NZAPP members and a limited number of guest tickets are available for $25. The recording and slides of the event will only be available to members of NZAPP.

  Not already a member? The Association membership is $80 per annum (waged) and $40 (student). To join, click here and take advantage of our free to members annual calendar of events (eight per year).

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• NZAPP Learning Event with Meg Warren, Ph.D. The Flourishing Ally: Using Positive Psychology to Boost Inclusiveness and Well-being

  • When
    November 17, 2026
  •  
    12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
  • Location
    Online
  • Spaces left
    100

  Register

  
  

  About the session:
  

  As instances of prejudice and discrimination increasingly come to light many well-intentioned everyday individuals have become interested in standing up as allies, i.e., advocates and supporters of marginalized and stigmatized groups. Yet, engaging in allyship can be complex, challenging, and exhausting. Whereas our recent studies suggest that over 75% of working adults say they intend to be allies, the majority also state that they are confused and hesitant to act. A positive psychology approach can help us overcome some of these challenges. 

  In this talk, I will summarize key findings from my body of research that take a positive psychology lens to understand the ‘why’, ‘how’, ‘what’ and ‘so what’ of meaningful, effective, and sustainable allyship. I will highlight research on virtuous allyship motivations, growing as an ally, strengths-based allyship strategies, and impacts of flourishing allyship that are geared to boost the well-being of marginalized groups and oneself.

  About the speaker:

  Meg A. Warren, Ph.D. is a Professor of Management at Western Washington University, a Fulbright Scholar-Specialist to Greece, and a Visiting Fellow at institutions in Fiji and Kenya. She is a researcher, keynote speaker, author, and positive organizational psychologist with expertise in allyship and cultural factors affecting well-being. Her award-winning research uses a positive psychology approach to study how individuals from relatively privileged groups can serve as allies to marginalized groups. 

  Dr. Warren has published 60+ journal articles and book chapters, and 2 books. Her essays and interviews have been covered by 300+ media outlets, in 30+ countries and 10+ languages. She is a featured columnist for Psychology Today and writes the column, "Better and Happier: The positive psychology of impactful and joyful allyship". She is currently working on a new book, "Spotlight on the Psychological Foundations of Allyship" (Edward Elgar Publishing).

  She has held positions such as the Founding President of the Work & Organizations Division of the International Positive Psychology Association, Co-Founder of the Western Positive Psychology Association, and Co-Editor of the International Journal of Wellbeing. She also serves as a Faculty Affiliate of the Center for Positive Organizations at the University of Michigan. 

  Connect on LinkedIn Meg Warren, Ph.D or for more information about her Meg's work and access to free resources, please visit: www.megwarren.com

  Cost:

  The event is free for NZAPP members and a limited number of guest tickets are available for $25. The recording and slides of the event will only be available to members of NZAPP.

  Not already a member? The Association membership is $80 per annum (waged) and $40 (student). To join, click here and take advantage of our free to members annual calendar of events (eight per year).

  Show details