Our MAHI
These are just some of the projects we have been involved with in reshaping the narrative around addiction in Aotearoa. If you would like to be part of our journey please reach out to Jess.
Addiction Lived Experience & Clinical Practice
In Tauranga, I had the privilege of delivering a professional development session with a passionate team of social workers and early childhood educators from Family Start. This wānanga brought together my lived experience of addiction and recovery, interwoven with clinical insights, to create a space of shared learning and reflection. Together, we explored the realities whānau face, the power of relational practice, and the importance of trauma-informed, culturally responsive approaches. It was a powerful reminder that when we blend lived and learned knowledge, we strengthen our collective capacity to walk alongside whānau with greater understanding and compassion.
GUEST Presentation – Te Wānanga o Aotearoa, Palmerston North
I was honoured to present to the Year One Social Practice students at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa in Palmerston North, sharing my journey through addiction, recovery, and transformation. This kōrero offered students a lived experience perspective to complement their growing academic and practical knowledge. We explored the realities of working with whānau affected by addiction, the value of authenticity in practice, and the importance of cultural connection, whakapapa, and whanaungatanga in the healing process. It was an inspiring session filled with courageous questions, open hearts, and the future of our social services sector.
MANA OVER METH- Te Pou Oranga Whaiora, Ōpōtiki
Jess delivered a Mana Over Meth presentation to the dedicated team at Te Pou Oranga Whaiora in Ōpōtiki, sharing her lived experience of methamphetamine addiction, healing, and reconnection. This kōrero was grounded in hope, resilience, and the importance of restoring mana – both for ourselves and the whānau we serve. Through honest storytelling and practical insights, we explored the deeper drivers of addiction, the impact on whānau and communities, and the role of cultural identity in the recovery journey. It was an empowering space of shared understanding, reflection, and collective commitment to healing in our communities.
Lived Experience Presentation
I was privileged to deliver a lived experience presentation to Year 3 students at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), engaging with future and current AOD clinicians, occupational therapists, social workers, and nurses. This session offered a real-world lens on addiction and recovery, bridging theory with lived reality. I shared my personal journey through substance use, healing, and reconnection, while highlighting the systemic barriers and opportunities within our health and social service sectors. Together, we unpacked the importance of culturally grounded, trauma-informed, and whānau-centred approaches that honour both professional and lived expertise. It was a powerful space of learning, growth, and mutual respect.
MANA OVER METH KURA KAUPAPA
Mana over Meth Kura Kaupapa is a culturally enriched, interactive programme addressing addiction and recovery, specifically tailored for students in Years 11, 12, and 13. This initiative encourages young people to engage in real-life situations through collaborative teamwork, working together as a roopu (group).
MĀORILAND
The Maoriland film festival is an annual International Indigenous film festival in Otaki, New Zealand. The Maoriland film festival includes the best of Maori films both short and feature length as well as films from around the world. Mana over Meth was officially selected to screen in the 2023 Maoriland Film Festival.
