Join us at the Te Kiwi Māia Wellbeing Summit, a transformative event that brings together an inspiring community of individuals who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving our country and communities. This summit is a unique opportunity to connect with specialists and guest speakers from diverse fields, all united by a commitment to wellbeing and mental health.
Gain valuable insights into the innovative initiatives and support systems being implemented within first responder and defence organisations. Whether you're passionate about mental health, interested in the wellbeing of those in uniform, or simply looking to engage with like-minded individuals, this conference offers knowledge, inspiration, and community.
Discover how you can make a difference and walk away with a deeper understanding of the challenges and triumphs faced by those who serve. Don’t miss this chance to be part of a movement that champions wellbeing for our everyday courageous kiwis.
OUR SPEAKERS
Keynote Speaker
Rajna Bogdanovic
Clinical and Organisational Psychologist
Founder and CEO
Optimally
Rajna is an internationally recognised and registered Clinical Psychologist (NZ/AU), Organisational wellbeing consultant, speaker and wellbeing columnist who has spent the last 12 years working within the frontline and emergency services mental health context. She is passionate about helping people get ‘unstuck’, restore their sense of self and thrive in all areas of their life....... Click below to read more.
Rajna moved back to New Zealand in 2019 from working across Europe and Australia where she had been a Police psychologist, criminology and policing lecturer, the Senior Psychologist for the Country Fire Authority and in private practice. Internationally, Rajna was employed by United Nations Criminal Tribunals, working with victims and witnesses of war crimes. After concluding her work with the UN, Rajna worked in the field in heavily mined Bosnia and Herzegovina where she interviewed as well as engaged in therapy with victims and witnesses of war crimes.
In 2020, Rajna founded Optimally, a specialist mental health organisation that offers a full range of mental health and related services to frontline and first responder organisations. She is thrilled to be a part of the Te Kiwi Māia Advisory Group, and looks forward to supporting the sustainable growth and development of mental health solutions for New Zealand’s first responders.
Discussion Topic
Positive Leadership & The Power of Mindset: Thriving in Uncertain Times
In today’s fast-changing world, effective leadership begins with how we lead ourselves. This session explores the foundations of positive leadership, equipping you with the mindset and strategies to inspire others and drive meaningful outcomes....click below to read more.
We will dive into resilience and critical resilience heuristics, using the ABCD framework and the Me-We-Go approach to navigate challenges with clarity and confidence. Learn why a growth mindset is non-negotiable, how the DNA of mindset shapes success, and the key differences between awareness, alertness, and assumptions in decision-making.
Beyond mindset, we’ll uncover the mechanics of purpose, meaning, and motivation - what happens when they align, and how to lead effectively when they don’t. This session will provide practical tools to strengthen your leadership, enhance resilience, and create lasting impact for yourself and those around you.
Lightning Speaker
Josh Darby
Senior Firefighter
Fire & Emergency
New Zealand
Josh Darby is a Senior Firefighter and Project Lead of the Whanaungatanga Programme. With over 20 years of frontline experience, he brings a unique blend of operational, research, and lived experience to his presentations. A peer supporter and health researcher, Josh received the 2017 Firefighters Scholarship.... Click below to read more.
for his research examining suicide and psychological injury in Fire and Emergency. In 2021, he secured Movember funding to develop and evaluate a mental ill-health and suicide prevention programme. His work on this programme earned him the Mental Health Champion of the Year award at the New Zealand Health and Safety Awards.
Discussion Topic
The Whanaungatanga Wellbeing Programme: Preventing Harm, Not Just Treating It.
The Whanaungatanga Wellbeing Programme, supported by Movember and Fire and Emergency New Zealand, is transforming how we approach the prevention of mental ill-health in first responders by addressing workplace factors rather.... click below to read more.
than relying solely on individual resilience. Grounded in the Māori concept of whanaungatanga—prioritising a culture of relationships and connection—this evidence-informed initiative focuses on organisational change to create lasting impact.
This presentation will explore key programme insights, including:
🔹 Frontline participation: Learnings from 50+ organisational change workshops involving 500+ firefighters, commanders, and dispatchers.
🔹 Targeted interventions: Co-designed initiatives focused on connection, recognition, trust, and organisational systems.
🔹 Research findings: Data from three national employee surveys examining the link between organisational culture and wellbeing.
🔹 Independent evaluation: Multi-university research measuring programme effectiveness and long-term organisational change.
By shifting the focus from individual responsibility to systemic solutions, the Whanaungatanga Wellbeing Programme is leading a new approach to first responder mental health.
Lightning Speaker
Adele Sanders
Manager of Psychological
Health & Wellbeing
Hato Hone St John
Adele Saunders is a Registered Psychologist, with over 18 years’ experience working with individuals presenting with complex issues relating to their experiences of trauma. Over her career she has provided therapeutic intervention for individuals and families as well as developing staff and organisations through coaching and supervision..... Click below to read more.
Adele currently works for St John as their Manager of Psychological Health and Wellbeing, developing a robust psychological health and wellbeing to support staff involved high risk organisation.
This has meant that in the last few years Adele has been closely involved in supporting the St John Ambulance staff following major incidents such as the Christchurch Mosque attacks, the Whakaari eruption and more recently the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Discussion Topic
Lightning speaker
Ari Peach
National Wellbeing lead
Surf Life Saving
New Zealand
Ari Peach leads the strategy and delivery of wellbeing support at Surf Life Saving New Zealand, helping their frontline teams navigate the unique challenges of their roles. Alongside his work at Surf Life Saving, Ari lectures in Applied Mental Health for Paramedics at AUT University...... Click below to read more
and supports a range of frontline organisations across New Zealand through his consultancy, Frontline Wellbeing Ltd. His earlier career as an intensive care paramedic gives him a grounded perspective on the pressures faced by frontline professionals.
Discussion Topic
Lightning speaker
*****
Tactical Reintegration Officer
New Zealand Police
With nearly 20 years in policing, including 16 years on the Armed Offenders Squad (AOS) and 7 years with the Special Tactics Group (STG), our guest speaker has operated in some of the most high-pressure and high-risk environments. Having been involved in multiple critical incidents with varying outcomes, they have seen firsthand the impact these experiences have on those who serve. ..... Click below to read more.
Recognising the urgent need for better post-incident support, they have become a passionate advocate for mental health and wellbeing within the police force. Their work is closely aligned with the Regeneration Programme, an NZ Police initiative focused on improving officer resilience, wellbeing, and long-term sustainability in policing. This programme represents a culture shift—ensuring that police personnel are supported not just in the line of duty, but in their recovery, growth, and overall wellbeing.
Their insights on resilience, leadership, and looking after our people are both powerful and essential.
Discussion Topic
Reintegration – Purpose, Impact & Adaptability
In today’s fast-changing world, effective leadership begins with how we lead ourselves. This session explores the foundations of positive leadership, equipping you with the mindset and strategies to inspire others and drive meaningful outcomes..... click below to read more.
We will dive into critical resilience heuristics, and use some of the latest psychology and neuroscience to navigate challenges with clarity and confidence. Learn why a growth mindset is non-negotiable, how the DNA of mindset shapes success, and the key differences between awareness, alertness, and assumptions in decision-making.
Beyond mindset, we’ll uncover the mechanics of purpose, meaning, and motivation - what happens when they align, and how to lead effectively when they don’t. This session will provide practical tools to strengthen your leadership, enhance resilience, and create lasting impact for yourself and those around you.
Lightning speaker
Dr Alia Bojilova
Psychologist, published Author Keynote Speaker
Dr Alia Bojilova is a published author, a registered psychologist, global keynote speaker and facilitator, and a prolific expert in leadership, resilience and curiosity. Described as insightful, inspiring, energetic and restlessly committed to ‘better - always’, Alia has led, consulted and facilitated at the highest levels of complexity. She has served as an enabler to thousands of leaders... Click below to read more.
teams and organisations in some of the most testing environments, globally and in New Zealand.
Alia’s deepest passions are in making bold ways to build, broaden and nurture capacity for thriving, and in fueling curiosity and insatiable appetite for growth and contribution.
As a leader and facilitator, Alia works across the fields of Venture Capital, peak performance sports, Government, the commercial sector, creative industries, education, health and the not-for- profit. Alia served as an officer in the New Zealand Defence Force, including in the role of the lead psychologist for the New Zealand SAS.
She is a recipient of the United Nations Commendation and the Inaugural Meritorious Service Medal for successfully negotiating critical incidents in the Middle East. Alia’s currently works as a Partner in two Venture firms, in New Zealand and North America.
REGISTER NOW
FOR STRENGTH IN SERVICE: A WELLBEING SUMMIT
Venue - Christchurch Town Hall
86 Kilmore Street, Christchurch Central, Christchurch 8013, New Zealand.
Accommodation - Quest on Kilmore
93 Kilmore Street, Christchurch,
South Island, 8013
Please visit www.questonkilmore.co.nz to view booking T&C
MEET OUR MC
Senior ‘Constable Bryan’ Ward Q.S.M.
With over 28 years in the New Zealand Police, Bryan Ward is a highly respected Community Officer, youth advocate, and media personality. A Queen’s Service Medal (QSM) recipient, he has delivered crime prevention and safety messages to over 1.5 million tamariki, parents, and caregivers across Aotearoa.
As the national ambassador for Blue Light and Variety – the Children's Charity, Bryan is passionate about community wellbeing. He co-created the award-winning TV show Bryan and Bobby and hosts the Top 5 NZ-charted podcast, Coppuccino, featuring global guests like Dame Valerie Adams and DEA Narcos agents Steve Murphy & Javier Peña.
A martial arts expert and self-defence instructor, Bryan empowers individuals through training and advocacy. His NZ Police-approved social media presence has gone viral internationally, sharing messages on anti-bullying, diversity, and community policing.
As your MC, Bryan brings humour, experience, and passion, ensuring an engaging and inspiring conference.