Psychiatrist bridges Māori wisdom and modern mental health at Hamilton Arts Festival
A 60-year-old psychiatrist and former children's television presenter will speak at this month's Hamilton Arts Festival. Her talk at HamLit will explore the links between culture, creativity, and mental health awareness. The discussion draws from her upcoming 2025 book, Ara, A Māori Guidebook of the Mind.
Before entering the mental health field, the speaker worked in children's television. She found the role rewarding and later applied those skills to her mental health practice. Her focus now lies in understanding the views of young people and their families.
She sees the current global climate as the most challenging of her lifetime. Rapid shifts in childhood experiences have shaped her approach to care. Indigenous knowledge, especially Māori perspectives, plays a key role in her methods.
The book offers a Māori worldview on mental health, referencing figures like the goddess Hinengaro. While specific techniques aren't detailed in public sources, the speaker believes new perspectives can bring fresh ways of thinking. Her talk aims to encourage audiences to see life—and mental health—through a different lens.
The event forms part of the Hamilton Arts Festival's HamLit programme. Attendees will hear insights from her decades of work with children and teens. The session also highlights how cultural frameworks can support mental wellbeing in changing times.
