When our tamariki and rangatahi struggle with mental health challenges, traditional approaches often miss a crucial truth: healing and growth are rooted in our fundamental human need for secure attachment.
Just as navigating any journey requires clear landmarks, supporting our young people through mental health challenges demands reliable guideposts along the way. This conference aims to inspire both parents and professionals by illuminating key landmarks that may be missing or overlooked. Through the lens of developmental science and evidence-based theory, we'll explore natural solutions that foster connection and build resilience..
This isn't just another mental health conference - it's a paradigm shift in how we understand and support young people's journey to wellbeing, grounded in the science of human connection.
Join us to gain fresh perspectives on supporting growth and wellbeing. You'll leave with renewed hope and a roadmap for ensuring our tamariki and rangatahi have the strong foundation they need to thrive.
This year, we are excited to transition from online to in-person events, with conferences held in Christchurch and Auckland. We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Deborah MacNamara from Canada, who will deliver the keynote presentation, and Dr. Gordon Neufeld, who will join us via Zoom for the closing keynote. Our Neufeld Aotearoa team will also offer a range of informative and engaging seminars.
This conference is relevant for parents, caregivers, teachers, counsellors, social workers, mental health clinicians - basically anyone who knows a child and would like to hold and offer hope. We believe you can make a difference.
For full details on each presentation click the Schedule Details link below.
| Christchurch: Wednesday June 4th | Auckland: Friday June 6th | |
| Session 1: 9 - 11am |
KEYNOTE A: Dr Deborah MacNamara Beyond Behaviour: Understanding Emotional Defence and the True Roots of Resilience |
KEYNOTE A: Dr Deborah MacNamara Beyond Behaviour: Understanding Emotional Defence and the True Roots of Resilience *Livestream Option |
| Session 2: 11.20 - 12.30pm | KEYNOTE A: Dr Deborah MacNamara | KEYNOTE A: Dr Deborah MacNamara *Livestream Option |
| Session 3: 1.15 - 2.30pm |
Workshop A: Adrienne Wood - Peers and Screens
Workshop B: Sandy Hitchens - An Invitation to Play Workshop C: Michele Maurer - Soft Hearts and Warm Invitations |
Workshop A: Adrienne Wood - Peers and Screens
Workshop B: Sandy Hitchens - An Invitation to Play Workshop C: Kaye McKean - The Alpha Child |
| Session 4: 2.45 - 4.00pm |
KEYNOTE B: Dr Gordon Neufeld The Current Crisis of Wellbeing: What is happening to our kids? |
KEYNOTE B: Dr Gordon Neufeld The Current Crisis of Wellbeing: What is happening to our kids? *Livestream Option |
| Evening Session: 7 - 9pm |
Dr Deborah MacNamara Beneath Behaviour: Guiding Children from Emotional Turbulence to Maturity |
Dr Deborah MacNamara Beneath Behaviour: Guiding Children from Emotional Turbulence to Maturity *Livestream Option |
*Note: The Auckland Conference has a livestream option noted above for those who are unable to join us in person. To participate purchase the "Livestream" ticket below.
A certificate of completion will be provided to registrants upon request. Certificates will be emailed once conference is over.
Get in quick for Earlybird pricing! Available before May 9th.
| Full Conference | Earlybird - before May 9th | Regular |
| Single | $150 | $175 |
| Student | $125 | $125 |
| Livestream - June 6th only | $110 | $130 |
| Combo -Pre-Conference Masterclass + Full Conference | $200 | $250 |
| *Group (3 or more) | See details below |
| Evening Event Only | Earlybird - before May 9th | Regular |
| Single | $20 | $25 |
| Livestream | $20 | $25 |
| Couple | $30 | $40 |
*Agency or School Groups: As there is so much value in being able to attend conference with your colleagues, we would love to support this to happen. Please email neufeldaotearoa@gmail.com to enquire about team prices.
Christchurch Auckland Livestream
We have never known so much about food and what our bodies need to survive yet we face ever increasing feeding and eating issues in our kids and teens. What has come undone and what do we need to do to get back on track? What if it wasn’t just about food, or the table, or sitting beside each other to eat?
We have missed something more critical to well-being that was meant to go along with eating. This issue couldn't be more urgent with eating issues mounting in our kids and teens.
| Making Sense of Eating Issues with Dr Deborah MacNamara | Earlybird Before May 9th | Standard |
| Single | $60 | $75 |
| Student | $50 | $65 |