"The importance of celebrating Matariki as a country, for tamariki Māori, cannot be understated. When your culture is seen and valued by the wider populace, it is uplifting and fills our tamariki with a sense of pride."

Myles Ferris

“Resilience is the capacity to face, overcome, be strengthened and transformed by adversity. Never before, have parents needed the skills, the knowledge and the strategies to build resilience in their children as much as they do now."

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

“Although all transitions are tricky, they’re also an invitation to grow. There may be occasions when your child may try to push your buttons, making you feel guilty and worry about them, but homesickness is a very human emotion."

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

“The evidence show us that having a supportive discussion about a stressful event can actually decrease a young person’s distress. Answering their questions honestly will help them process any difficult emotions that may arise."

Dr Emma Woodward

“If you swear at someone, or about someone, you are actually committing an act of verbal violence. You transgress the usual rules of social interaction, impinging upon someone's self-image and their sense of dignity."

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

“As human beings, our brains haven’t evolved fast enough to adapt to the digital world that we now live in. This means that the overload of messages that we receive through ever-present media platforms often results in stress, anxiety, and overwhelm."

Dr Emma Woodward

“Even if your family has not experienced as many lockdowns as some areas, the social, economic and psychological impacts over the coming months are uncertain. For many young people, it means that acquiring the skills for future independence remain in the balance."

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

“Parents can help instil hope by encouraging their kids to see life as it is. Human beings, particularly young ones, hate uncertainty and often their natural response is to exhibit varying degrees of fear and anxiety."

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

“Since the pandemic, the number of young people presenting with eating disorders has increased significantly, with demand for services in New Zealand more than doubling since 2020. Essentially, eating disorders are serious mental health problems."

Dr Emma Woodward

“Mothers are the glue that connects and nourishes all of humanity. Recognising her unique role and supporting the contributions she makes to the family will go a long way towards making family life a little more harmonious."

Dr Emma Woodward

“Consent is an agreement between people to engage in sexual activity. It means freely choosing to say yes to sexual activity without being pressured into it through guilt, threats or peer influence. It’s always got to be clearly communicated - there should be no ambiguity or doubt."

Dr Emma Woodward

“All the transitions are important, but the transition to high school is unique due to the cognitive and emotional changes students are undergoing during this stage of their development. Starting high school can feel exciting and challenging, sometimes both at the same time!"

Dr Emma Woodward

“A formula in dealing with adolescents is force equals resistance. Sometimes it just isn’t possible to stop them doing whatever it is they want to do. Regardless of everything, all you want is for them to come home safe, so start the conversation today!"

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

“Children who spend more time with their fathers during adolescence, usually have better social skills and a higher self-worth than those who do not. Fathers need to get in there and be involved, even if they get pushed away. Being persistent and present is important."

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

“The Coronavirus has turned our lives upside down and asked us all to navigate a ton of uncertainty about what happens next. These changes are confronting, creating a perfect storm for a rise in anxiety, depression and substance abuse problems amongst young people."

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg