PADA - Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Aotearoa

16/11/2025

Today is World Prematurity Day 💜

Across Aotearoa, around 5,000 babies are born prematurely each year. Today we honour these little fighters, their whānau, and the incredible teams who support them through every step of the neonatal journey, including our friends at The Little Miracles Trust.

🔦 From today and throughout the week, landmarks and buildings across the motu will shine waiporoporo as part of the global Lighting Up Purple campaign. Find the full list of locations here: https://littlemiraclestrust.org.nz/lighting-up-purple-for-world-prematurity-day/

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We also know how powerful lived experience stories are. Recently, our GM Amy Castle joined The Little Miracles Trust’s One in Ten podcast. Amy reflected on welcoming her son Abel at 30 weeks and the journey of navigating NICU, early challenges, and learning to advocate with confidence and care. You can listen 🎧 in full here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Cn1RIPd4u8VuEJjvzSZeu

Today, and every day, we stand with all families whose journeys begin earlier than expected.

14/11/2025

Our PADA Cultural Competency seminar in Ōtautahi on Wednesday brought our community together for a powerful afternoon of learning, connection, and culturally grounded practice in the perinatal space 💜

We are so grateful to everyone who joined us. Your presence, insights, and willingness to learn made this kaupapa come alive.

🗣 We were fortunate to be guided by an incredible group of speakers: Dr Vartika Sharma, Joanne Teina, Dr Nimisha Waller, Cara Meredith, and Christina Daly. Their lived experience, cultural knowledge, and clinical expertise grounded our discussions in both wisdom and practical insight 🧠

A huge thank you to the local organisations who shared their mahi and accessible support pathways:

🟣 Asian Family Services | Lan Lan
🟢 Te Puawaitanga ki Ōtautahi Trust | Samantha Iri
🔵 Tangata Atumotu Trust (Whānau Ora) | Freyna Leituaso Mafoa

Your knowledge, services, and commitment to your communities are essential to improving outcomes for māmā, pāpā, pēpi, and wider whānau 💚

This kaupapa matters deeply. Cultural competence isn’t a “nice to have”; it’s central to delivering safe and meaningful perinatal care. When providers understand identity, language, migration journeys, tikanga, spirituality, and whānau structures, parents feel seen, safe, and supported. And that’s where trust and healing begin.

Thank you Ōtautahi, for showing up with curiosity, humility, and heart 💙

We’re excited to continue strengthening the perinatal workforce, and we can’t wait to see you again at our next hui in February 2026 👋🏽

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Ngā mihi maioha ki Rātā Foundation, The Kind Foundation, and The Tindall Foundation for supporting us to bring this mahi down south once again.

11/11/2025

Trigger warning: Serra shares experiences of birth trauma and baby loss.

💜 Serra Clark, who shares her lived experience at PADA seminars, joined Mel from Bonded NZ to talk about her deeply personal journey through IVF, birth trauma, baby loss, and healing.

💚 Across these two heartfelt episodes, Serra opens up about the realities of maternal mental health. From navigating pregnancy anxiety and medical trauma to the devastating loss of her daughter Zoe, and the ongoing journey of grief, connection, and advocacy.

▶ Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/

🔊 Listen on Spotify: Bonded NZ

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"Bonded is a monthly catch up group created by Emma and Mel who have experienced trauma through pregnancy, birth, and beyond, and see value in connection and community...". Find out more at instagram.com/bonded.nz/

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11/11/2025

Last week, Atareira hosted a beautiful Mental Health & Addiction Forum in Lower Hutt. It was a day filled with kōrero, connection, and learning.

Our very own Joanne Teina shared her deep wisdom on culturally safe perinatal practice, weaving together her lived experience and years of professional knowledge. Jo’s warmth and authenticity resonated with everyone in the room, her ability to connect hearts and minds is truly special 💜

It was a privilege to stand beside her and witness the impact of her mahi and the aroha she brings to every space she enters.

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10/11/2025

We’re getting ready for 2026 and we would love your feedback on what training, resources, and support would best help you in your role.

Share your thoughts by 20 November 2025 and you’ll go in the draw to win a $100 Prezzy Card! 🎁

Survey link 🔗 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfGPe3nKAlyaVAiphMYPB-X2fhzoUmv_FiiX_SZlzirXrQRXg/viewform?fundraiseronetag

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Name and email are needed to enter. Winner will be drawn on 20 November 2025, and contacted via email. Not sponsored or endorsed by Meta.

06/11/2025

The final Tama'ita'i Toa for 2025 is just two weeks away! 💜

Delivered by Jasmine Davis and the Hine Ora Hine Tū rōpu, the Tama’ita’i Toa workshop is designed for anyone working alongside Pacific whānau, in health, mental health, social services, education, or community roles. No prior clinical knowledge is required, just a willingness to listen, learn, and serve with empathy.

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Just 2 free sponsored tickets remain, thanks to the MAS Foundation. After that, $40 for PADA members or $50 general admission.
➡ pada.nz/event/tamaitai-toa-21nov2025-akl/

📆 Friday 21 November 2025
⌚ 9am to 3pm
📍 Eden Garden, Epsom, Auckland

See you there 👋🏾

06/11/2025

Save or screenshot this Christmas Gift Bingo and see how many you tick off! ✅🎄

If you’re over the wrapping paper panic, last-minute mall dash, or buying “just something” because you’re stuck… we’ve got a better idea 😉

Give through The Good Registry this Christmas and gift feel-good, clutter-free goodness instead of more stuff.

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Visit thegoodregistry.com to start giving goodness 🎁

05/11/2025

ONE WEEK AWAY! ⏰

Our Cultural Competency seminar in Ōtautahi is nearly here!

We have a fantastic speaker line-up for you on the day:

💜 Jo Teina | PADA Educator Māori/Kaumātua
💙 Dr Nimisha Waller | Senior Lecturer, Midwifery at AUT
💚 Dr Vartika Sharma | Senior Lecturer, University of Auckland
💜 Cara Meredith & Christina Daly | Team Lead & Pou Tautoko for Whānau Whakapuāwai

Plus Asian Family Services, Tangata Atumotu Trust, and Te Puawaitanga ki Ōtautahi Trust will share about the mahi they do.

📍 Raupō Room at Papa Hou, 4 Rolleston Ave, Christchurch

For more info and last chance tickets ➡ pada.nz/event/culturalseries-chch-12nov25/

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This seminar is made possible thanks to the support of the Rātā Foundation, The Kind Foundation, and The Tindall Foundation 🥰

04/11/2025

We extend our heartfelt thanks to The Kind Foundation for their generosity in supporting our upcoming PADA seminars in Ōtautahi 💙

We’re in Christchurch next week on Wednesday 12 November for our PADA Cultural Series | Cultural Competency seminar, and returning in 2026 for PADA Rainbow Series | Takatāpui seminar on Monday 23 February.

📍 Venue for both seminars: Raupō Room at Papa Hou, 4 Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch.

ℹ Find out more at pada.nz/events - limited tickets available.

04/11/2025

Who cares for the carers? In a system stretched thin, our workforce keeps showing up, even when they’re running on empty.

As a mum of three, stepmum to three more, and GM of PADA, I’ve seen how caring without care takes a toll.

It’s time to change the story. Here are five ways to look after yourself while still caring for others.

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Read the full blog: pada.nz/caring-for-the-workforce/

02/11/2025

💜 It is Neonatal November

Our GM, Amy Castle, recently joined The Little Miracles Trust podcast to share her experience of welcoming her son Abel at 30 weeks. She speaks openly about the lead up to his early arrival, life in NICU and SCBU, and the challenges of adjusting to the outside world with ongoing health needs.

This kōrero also explores communication: knowing what to ask, when to ask, and how to advocate for yourself and your pēpi in a system that can feel overwhelming 💚

🎧 Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Cn1RIPd4u8VuEJjvzSZeu?si=VZfYM3vLSj-MRs9Jid5-Lw&nd=1&dlsi=35f3aeb6b0d14def

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