16/10/2025
Kia ora e te whānau o ngā Speech-Language Therapists,
I’ve just read a post that really resonated with me, and I want to share it with you all. Below is the post and the resources that were attached.
Please remember — when your work involves someone else’s trauma, that story is not yours to tell. It's was lived by and belongs to the community in which it came from. Sharing = retelling = reshaping whakapapa. It is triggering and harmful.
I encourage you to read Paul Ekuru’s post below and spend time reflecting on his resources. Sit with yourself and notice your first emotional response. Is it discomfort, defensiveness, or agreement, then ask yourself why. That’s where the real learning begins - the places where māhaki live.
Āta haere — move gently with stories that aren’t yours to tell.
**Post and Resources Below**
Paul Ekuru
The Human Cost of Unethical Storytelling
A story can move donors, raise awareness, even win awards; and still leave quiet harm behind.
· When someone relives trauma for our cameras.
· When their voice is edited out.
· When an entire community gets reduced to “poverty,” “victim,” or “need.”
Every photo, quote, and headline for that impact story shapes more than perception. It shapes lives. And ruins others in some cases.
In these 8 listicles, I break down the human cost of deficit storytelling, how good intentions can still hurt, and shifts that can be made to avoid harm while communicating impact.
I’d love to hear your thoughts: what deficit storytelling practices have you seen or experienced?"
