In this podcast series, local people share their ideas about practical, everyday things you can do to support your wellbeing and build connections with others.
Produced for Otago Mental Health Support Trust and Weave Together, with funding support from The Lion Foundation.
Dr Ian Chapman is a speaker, author and performer, a dad to three wonderful children, and currently Head of the Bachelor of Performing Arts degree programme at the University of Otago. Ian also hosts ‘The Sparkly Show’ as alter-ego Dr Glam on OAR FM.
Adrienne Buckingham is a Dunedin-based mother, educator and blogger with a particular interest in positive psychology and wellbeing.
Kaikatea Knight is a mother and Operations Manager at Te Hou Ora Whānau Services, a community-based whānau driven Kaupapa Māori service provider.
Annette Harrex runs a farm south of Dunedin and has been working doing research, books and payroll for non profits for several years.
Andrea Murrell is an Invercargill-based businesswoman and Trustee with the MAR Colombia Charity Trust, which is for Colombian immigrants in Southland.
Tess Trotter is Communications Advisor with Inspiring Communities, a virtual organisation consisting of people from all over the country who have skills, expertise and experience in Community Led Development approaches.
Ranisha Chand is a student of Politics and Pacific Island Studies at the University of Otago. She is also a Youth Advocate for not-for-profit community organisation Shakti, which provides free and confidential support for women, youth and children from Asian, Middle Eastern and African backgrounds going through family violence.
Invercargill-based Himani Mishra Galbraith is board director/chairwoman of the Southland Hindi School Charitable Trust, a social group for mothers and women from refugee and migrant backgrounds providing an opportunity to meet others, make connections and offer support.
Pip Laufiso is a connector, director and facilitator. She is Senior Advisor ECE / Education Adviser Priority Learners with the Ministry of Education, and a former Otago Community Trust board trustee.
Bridget Forsyth is an Invercargill-based health promoter with the Cancer Society. Bridget also works with Chroma, a local charity supporting LGBTQIA+ whānau and establishing links with the wider community.
Series 2 – Living Well: Things to do in Otago
Produced in 2020 for Otago Mental Health Support Trust and Weave Together, with funding support from Southern District Health Board.
Cushla Phillips is a counsellor living in Ōtepoti Dunedin.
Donna Watt is a Central Otago-based Community Educator with Alzheimer’s Otago.
Helen Jansen lives in Oamaru where she is heavily involved in the world of Steampunk, provides support for families facing mental health challenges, and is involved in the Waitaki Whitestone Geopark Trust.
Mel Haarer is a wellbeing motivator living in Queenstown.
Ruth Carraway lives in Milton where she works on the Mayor’s taskforce for jobs, supporting people back into work post-Covid.
Paul Winders is an Arrowtown school sports coordinator and musician.
Rhys Smith is Lead Youth Worker at Cromwell Youth Trust
Sam Rodney-Hudson is Wanaka-based Director of Programmes and Partnerships with Melon Health.
Gayle Thornton works for Alzheimer’s Otago in Queenstown.
Anna Dorsey is a Queenstown-based health communications specialist.
Series 1 – Living Well: Things to do in Ōtepoti Dunedin
Jordana Whyte is manager of Wildlife Hospital Dunedin
Julie Woods is an inspirational speaker, writer and coach.
Dee O’Malley is an artist working in Ōtepoti Dunedin.
Desiree Williams is Tumuaki Whakaruruhau, Otago Polytechnic.
Kay Mercer is Events Coordinator at Dunedin Public Libraries.
Denise Quinlan is director of the New Zealand Institute of Wellbeing and Resilience.
Joy Davis is regional coordinator for Otago Neighbourhood Support
Hiliako Iaheto is an educator and musician.
Aidan Dickson is a youth worker for Te Hau Ora Whanua Services and a father of two.
Tahu Mackenzie is a musician and educator at Orokonui Ecosanctuary.