Conference will be held at various locations within Otago University.
Introducing our keynote speakers:
The Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study (‘Dunedin Study’) is one of the most detailed studies of human health and development ever undertaken. It is a study of all the babies born at Queen Mary Hospital, Dunedin in 12-month period in 1972/73 and who were still resident in Otago when followed up at age 3. Since then, study members have undergone assessments every two years until age 15, then at ages 18, 21, 26, 32, 38 and at 45 years. The Study is known for its work in a number of psychological, psychosocial disciplines as well as physical health domains such as respiratory and dental health. Study members come to the Research Unit to undergo a broad range of assessments relating to psychosocial, mental health, behavioural medicine and biomedical research areas. The Study is currently conducting age 52 assessment.
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Biography
Dr Sandhya Ramrakha is the Research Manager who was first involved with the Study at the age 26 assessment. She will describe how the Dunedin Study is conducted and present some research highlights from the study including mental health.
The development of clinical psychological practices in Moana nui a Kiva is emergent with few practitioners, and no Pacific-based training program. As clinical psychology practice begins to grow and develop with increasing utility and validity, it is important to critically reflect. The Pacific region has been influenced by diverse cultural contexts and traditions, and adoption of Western psychological models runs the risk of missing nuanced cultural and contextual diversities in a resource poor region. The emerging growth of indigenous perspectives – largely evolving out of diasporic contexts highlights the rich wealth of ancestral knowledge. This can led to more cultural approaches that consider local beliefs, values, and social norms. This evolution reflects a growing recognition of the importance of cultural considerations in clinical psychology, and responsivity of clinical psychology in South Pacific contexts – particularly in the absence of evidence bases. In this keynote, I will discuss the role of psychology in regions where psychology is largely unknown, drawing on experiences in service development, community engagement and practice in the Pacific, as well as dialogues occurring in the Austro-Pacific region and the very real threats of climate change and geopolitics in this region.
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Biography
Dr Evangelene Daniela-Wong is a Cook Island Maori clinical psychologist with 19 years practice in a range of sectors - addictions; CAMHS; forensics in Aotearoa and the Cook Islands. She has helped establish the Cook Islands mental health services, a service that covers 15 islands across the ocean, from birth to death. Her particular interest is the weaving together of cultural and clinical practices and theories from indigenous Oceania perspectives. She is involved in several Pacific-based research projects exploring epidemiology, youth mental health and climate change, and is passionate about developing Pacific psychological approaches as well as psychology in the Pacific.
BA/BSC Hons: 2002
PG DipClin Psyc: 2008
PhD: 2008
“No one has ever explained how an 1840 treaty has any relevance to a science that took development from 1890 onwards” (Graffiti Board, NZPsS Annual Conference, 1994). To test the relevance, this address will explore how far have we come in understanding the connections between the histories of Te Triti o Waitangi and the colonisation/settlement processes in Aotearoa and the histories and practices of psychology. I will draw on research and the experiences of working as a Pākehā community psychologist over the last 30+ years. While having seen an increased recognition of Māori as indigenous peoples of Aotearoa and Te Tiriti o Waitangi as the founding constitutional document, there has been little progress ingrowing the number of Māori trained psychologists. At the heart of psychological practice, is an understanding of culture, the ways our past, present and future inform our practice. Recognising and deconstructing the systems of cultural dominance, and relational positions of power and authority in the environments and modalities we work within.
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Biography
Nō Airani me Kōtiranga ōku tupuna, I whānaumai ahau ī Ōtautau, I tupu ake ahau ī Murihiku ī te waka o Maui, Kei Kirikiriroa ahau e noho ana ināianei, ko Pākehā te iwi, ko Rose Black tōku ingoa
Rose is a community psychologist, member of the Institute of Community Psychology, the National Standing Committee of Bicultural Issues, is a Fellow of the NZ Psychological Society and has served on the executive. Having been in research roles for several years, she offers research support in the areas of Pākehā responsibilities under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, decolonisation, white privilege, professional and bicultural development, health equity, and evaluation. She is an experienced facilitator and supervisor, along with co-editing two books and contributing chapters in Professional Practice of Psychology Handbooks.
Learning objectives:
· Recognise the importance of cultural context within diagnostic practice.
· Demonstrate how culture can be centred within diagnostic guidelines.
· Provide recommendations for how guideline development processes may be adapted to other environments.
This presentation will outline the process of centring a cultural context within the development of the first FASD diagnostic guidelines for Aotearoa New Zealand.
Clear diagnostic tools, specialist knowledge, and skills are required to assess, differentiate, diagnose and identify effective post-diagnostic pathways. Establishing a consistent approach to assessment and diagnosis for FASD within the distinct context of Aotearoa New Zealand is critical and will assist individual, whānau (family) and system levels ,for practice and monitoring.
This project was grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and led by Tangata whenua (people of the land) and Tangata Tiriti (people of the treaty) under the guidance of Hāpai Te Hauora. Te Tiriti o Waitangi framework included, but was not limited to, project leadership, structure, consultation with whānau (families) and professionals and writing the final guideline document. Co-design and refinement was undertaken to develop guidelines in partnership between Tangata Tiriti and Tangata Whenua, to ensure it is appropriate for use in Aotearoa New Zealand and meets the Ministry of Health and Government’s commitment to improving outcomes for Māori, health equity, and child health and wellbeing. Central to the project are the values of whakawhanaungatanga (sense of connection and belonging), manaakitanga (to care and be cared for), aroha (giving and receiving love and respect), pono (to be honest), tika (making good decisions), whakamana (to be mana enhancing), kotahitanga (unity working together), rangatiratanga (Māori authority over Māori authority and knowledge), kāwanatanga (governance) and tikanga (respecting and following Māori customs).
The development of these guidelines has a commitment to Kaupapa Māori methodology and exploring Te Ao Māori (the Māori world) models which meet the health needs of all peoples in Aotearoa. Kaupapa Māori theory goes beyond a set of principles; it creates a space where Māori are able to work in ways that are free of cultural constraints. Using this methodology assumes the existence and validity of Māori knowledge, language and culture throughout all areas of clinical practice.
This presentation will provide an outline of the guideline’s development approach, focusing heavily on project process, including the collating of clinical evidence, stakeholder findings and Critical Tiriti Analysis (Came et al, 2023).
Disclosure of Interest Statement: This project was funded by the Ministry of Health, New Zealand Government. No pharmaceutical grants were received in the development of this study.
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Biography
Dr Andi Crawford is a Clinical Psychologist and currently works for Te Ara Manapou (Pregnancy and Parenting Service) Te Whatu Ora Te Matau a Māui (Hawke’s Bay) providing support for pregnant women and parents of young children who experience addiction and mental health challenges. She has over 20 years of experience working in child development, child and adolescent mental health, maternal mental health, and addiction services. Andi also works privately providing supervision, research and training.
Andi has been the Tangata Tiriti co-lead for the development of Whakakotahitanga Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder diagnostic guidelines for Aotearoa New Zealand with Hāpai te Hauora. She is committed to partnering with Māori in order to acknowledge the unique role they have as Indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand. Andi was the inaugural NZ co-chair of the Australian New Zealand FASD Clinical Network 2018-2019, and she serves on National and Academic advisory groups In Aotearoa, providing expertise on FASD. Andi completed her post-doctoral fellowship at The University of Auckland in 2022 which focused on improving well-being for mothers and children who have experienced prenatal alcohol and drug exposure and is an Adjunct Research Fellow at the Child Health Research Centre, University of Queensland.
Qualifications
BMS (University of Waikato,1993)
MSc, Postgrad Dip Clin Psych, (Victoria University, 2003)
PhD in Psychology (University of Auckland, 2018)
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Biography
Kara Te Whata-Maynard is Registered Psychologist and currently works for the Ministry of Education as a Learning Support Psychologist. She has 18 years of experience working as a psychologist in child and adolescent mental health, education, youth forensic, child development, and non-government organisation settings. She also works privately providing ADHD support, and FASD training (previously completed assessments as well). Kara has been part of the development of Whakakotahitanga Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder diagnostic guidelines for Aotearoa New Zealand with Hāpai te Hauora.
Qualifications
Post Graduate Diploma in Educational Psychology - Internship (Massey University, 2007)
Master of Arts Psychology Thesis (University of Auckland, 2005)
More to follow.
Early Bird prices have been extended to 18 July. Please purchase tickets here: ticketing page
The latest version of the timetable (dated 22.07) is out. Please note that this might be subject to changes.
THE DEADLINE FOR POSTER SUBMISSIONS HAVE BEEN EXTENDED
· These will be available for viewing by attendees throughout the conference.
· Posters should be approximately 115cm wide and 85cm high.
Deadline for Submission: extended to 21 July 2025
Please include the following information:
1. Name of the communicating author
2. Email address
3. Title of the poster
4. Names of all authors and a brief note of affiliation (e.g., Dept. of Psychology, University of Auckland) for the authors
5. Audio/visual requirements (standard facilities for PowerPoint presentations will be provided)
6. Abstract (see abstract information below)
Abstract submission information
Format: Microsoft Word.
· Poster abstracts to include background, aims, methods, results and conclusions. Theoretical or professional topics should include background, aims, main contributions and conclusions. 250 word maximum.
All presenters are required to register for the conference.
NZCCP student members are invited to enter submissions for consideration for two student awards for Outstanding Student Presentation and Oustanding Poster Presentation. If you are a Student Member and wish your Paper/Poster considered for these awards please note this when you submit your abstract, and state the university programme with which you are a student.
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Please indicate your name, contact details, school, course of study and availability on 16 and 17 August 2025.
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