Your stories

Your stories inspire others but they also inspire us

Tui Ora, Building Financial Capability Plus, Tūmanako Oranga Wellness Centre: I Will Be Forever Grateful

*This client wishes to remain anonymous An Invercargill woman has led a turbulent life from drug addiction to abuse and violence, to almost losing custody of her children. But, she […]
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Southern Stop Smoking Service: Kelly Wahren

A ROOF OVER MY HEAD IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN SMOKINGKelly Wahren, Invercargill I was 16 when I started a course and noticed most of the students were smoking. I thought […]
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Crisis Respite Service: Exactly What I Needed

Throughout my life I have lived on the streets, been married and divorced, worked a variety of jobs and spent time in a mental ward after being diagnosed with depression […]
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Teoti Jardine

Riverton man Teoti Jardine, 80, is a potter, poet, psychiatric nurse, and gay rights activist who believes wellbeing is about taking care of ourselves and being who we are. Here […]
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Kanui Poharama

A softly spoken spiritual being deeply committed to his wellbeing, and a pathway of recovery that echoes a mantra of Be Well, Stay Well, Go Well. Kanui recalls in the […]
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Mahana Southern Māori Mental Health and Addiction Service: I Am Important

I had a rough upbringing surrounded by drugs and alcohol and from the age of five I was raising my siblings and cousins on my own. My parents were alcoholics […]
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