Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust | Te Whare Oranga Ngākau was formed in July 2014 by concerned citizens wanting to make a difference to our suicide statistics in New Zealand.
The Trust was formed because there was very little support available to families bereaved by suicide or those that are suicidal. We provide much needed support and give a voice to the thousands of families devastated by suicide.
Contact our General Manager at:
Clare Curran: message@lifematters.org.nz
In August 2023, the Trust secured a contract with Te Whatu Ora to fund our Peer Support Service. This positive change has allowed many of our wonderful volunteers to be paid for their mahi and enabled us to extend our opening hours. However, all other costs rely on the success of funding applications, fundraising campaigns and generous donations from sponsors and community. We welcome donations which go towards operational costs, subsidising counselling services and training in suicide prevention.
Our aim is to reduce the suicides in our country by promoting suicide prevention strategies, educating and supporting our community, raising awareness about suicide by breaking the stigma and supporting those bereaved by it. Most of our work is done out of the Hope Centre | Te Whare Tūmanako in Dunedin, New Zealand.
I have been associated with Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust from the beginning. I met Corinda at a public meeting she had initiated and I believed in the cause. With support from my whanau at the many events we held back in the day we managed to help get it to where it is today. It certainly has come a long way in 10 years. Congratulations. P.S I was made a life member of Life Matters last year which is quite an honour.
Since 2013 Bev has provided much support to Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust as a volunteer, peer supporter, bereavement facilitator and a trustee. Her support has been invaluable. Bev has been made a Life Member for services she has provided to the Trust for over ten years.
We wish you well on your new journey down in Southland, Bev.
Kia ora, my name is Joy Larson. I am married and we have three boys. James and his partner live in Central Otago, and Matthew and his wife live in Scotland. Our first born son, Mark, died in Oct 2003. I worked in Education (Primary School) for over 25 years. I was involved with both children and parents and loved being able to help them. I then decided on a new direction and trained in March 2020 to become a Peer Support Person. I feel that I have a lot of life experiences that will help many people. I am very privileged to be involved as a Peer Supporter with Life Matters. I love the Life Matters philosophy and want to support those affected by suicide and or mental health.
Between 2008 and 2020 Clare was the Labour Member of Parliament for Dunedin South before retiring at the 2020 election. Clare was a committed local member of parliament, advocating and representing her constituents, particularly on issues related to housing, health, mental health and equality. She was a staunch voice for the South Dunedin suburbs, especially after the significant 2015 floods.
Ko Kapukataumahaka te māunga
Ko Pukihaukea te awa
Ko Tākitimute waka
Ko Wharetutu Newton tōku tīpuna
Ko Ngāi Tahu tōku iwi
Ko Te Rūnanga o Awarua tōku hapū
Ko Te Rau Aroha tōku marae
Nō Taiari ahau
Ko Braden rāua ko Kathyrn ōku mātua
Ko Hemi tōku ingoa
James is proud to be part of a team that is driven for positive change in our mental health system. He who himself has lived experience of mental health distress and suicide, understands the huge impacts of mental health on whānau, and friends. He is extremely passionate about the work Life Matters undertakes, he has been a volunteer and a Peer Supporter there for quite some years! Professionally James works in Rural Policy for a farmers advocacy group. He brings a wide range of governance experience to the board, and is actively involved in other organisations around the city. He was brought up in Central Otago and of Kai Tahu decent. In his free time, you will find him on the tracks around Dunedin or in a good book.
The work that Life Matters undertakes is close to my heart. Being part of this work gives me the chance to lend my skills and knowledge to a cause I have thought about daily for the past four years. My career has revolved around relationship building, both in the public and private sectors. I am currently the Relationship Manager for Alvarium Wealth, an investment firm based in Auckland. Outside of work you’ll find me on the golf course, in the surf, or spending time with my partner and friends.
Kia Ora, I am locally based and am so excited to be a part of the Life matters team. I have spent the last few years earning an English degree as well as working for various organisations. I am incredibly grateful to be able to lend a helping hand to such important work. Currently, I work as a legal administrator at GHP Law, a Law Firm based in Dunedin. When I am not working, I enjoy watching and playing Ice Sports, the odd game of Golf and spending time with friends and my kitty
Kia ora, my name is Rebecca and I have recently joined the Life Matters Board.
Born and bred in Dunedin, I have a sense of pride for our community, and it's an absolute privilege to be involved with the Trust. Having completed a psychology degree during my studies, I feel a strong connection to the mission of the Trust. The alarming mental health statistics in our country deeply concern me, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the passionate individuals at Life Matters who are making a significant difference.
I am currently an Associate at a local law firm practising in employment and health and safety law. I’m particularly passionate about working with employees and employers to prioritise and foster positive, inclusive and mentally healthy workplaces.
Outside of work, you’ll find me spending time with my family and friends out on the golf course or seeking out new adventures around the city.
I am Wendy Smith, an experienced health leader with over 20 years of experience across private, public, and community sectors in New Zealand, Australia, and the UK. I am passionate about reducing suicide in Aotearoa, having lived experience of mental distress both personally and within the whānau. I hold a Master of Physiotherapy, a Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety, an Executive MBA and a Post Graduate Certificate in Health Science.
My career includes leading multidisciplinary teams and managing complex programmes of work. As Musculoskeletal Programme Manager at Mahitahi Hauora Primary Health Organisation, I developed an equitable regional management programme for patients with complex pain which also included mental health input for coping with chronic, debilitating pain. My experience working with Māori communities in Te Tai Tokerau, Northland has deepened my commitment to honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi and engaging with diverse populations. I am eager to bring my extensive clinical, leadership, governance, and advocacy experience to the Life Matters Suicide Prevention Trust to better support our community.
Kia ora koutou, ko Mike Summerfield toku ingoa, and I’m honoured to join Life Matters, an organisation whose mission resonates deeply with me. My background spans Anatomy, Neuroscience, and Theology, and I’ve been privileged to work across diverse fields, from education and scientific research to pastoral care and non-profit support. I am passionate about supporting the well-being of people, and I understand that those who dedicate themselves to caring for others deserve care themselves. I look forward to continuing Life Matters’ vital work, caring for our team and the tangata whaiora who come to the Hope Centre. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife Michelle and our three daughters, as well as finding peace in computer gaming, landscaping, and moments of solitude.
Kia ora! My name is Cuba (she/her) and I am at Life Matters because the experiences I have had in my life have left me deeply interested in the meaning that surrounds how people engage with mental health and with each other. Holistic and community-based care is such a dynamic space and so needed in Aotearoa’s current mental health landscape. I love visual arts, writing, and making things, and the space for self-expression created by the life experience whānau here at Te Whare Tūmanako the Hope Centre.
Kia ora. My name is Christine.
I am at Life Matters because I believe in the effectiveness of community-based care and the impact it can have on those seeking wellness and authenticity, on those seeking to realise their full potential and growth. I see too many stuck in the cycle of hopelessness and despair.
I have lived experience of mental health and the journey to wellness and want to use this experience to support tangata whaiora seeking a way out of their dark place, wanting to improve their lives and wellbeing. The joy of finding ‘you’, finding who you are, of being authentic, is incredible.
Kia ora community,
My name is Amy, and I am so pleased to be working with an organisation I admire. I have been trained in Intentional Peer Support, and prior to joining Life Matters, I completed a research Master’s in Psychology.
My thesis explored therapists’ perspectives on treatment boundaries in psychotherapy practice with a special interest in additional considerations for people who have experienced complex trauma.
Through my studies and lived experiences I have come to understand that human connection and authentic conversations have the power to transform pain into purpose and loss into lessons. In the words of Desmond Tutu: “my humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.”
Kia ora! My name is Grace and I am a recent psychology and neuroscience graduate with a passion for understanding the intricate interplay between the mind, body and environment. Driven by a desire to enact meaningful change within the mental health landscape, I am a firm advocate for the power of holistic, empathetic and person-centered care. Since beginning my journey at the Hope Centre, Te Whare Tūmanako, I have developed a deep appreciation for the way peer support curates a safe space for authentic connection. It also effectively bridges a gap in the mental health system by providing cost-free “top of the cliff” support to tāngata whaiora. Outside Life Matters I am happiest when immersed in creativity and nature.
Kia ora, my name is Bertie! I have just completed my honours degree in biomedical science. In my spare time I enjoy baking, painting and listening to music (especially Taylor Swift). I joined Life Matters at the start of 2023 as a volunteer because I want to make a direct impact in people’s lives, especially when it comes to mental health support. I now have been taken on as a full time staff member.
Hello! I’m Rifa and I’m from South Asia. I’m currently a fourth year student at University of Otago completing my graduate diploma in public health. I have a great interest in mental health and well-being, and how other aspects of health are affected by mental health. There is still stigma associated with mental health and getting help as well as the lack of cultural representation in mental health spaces. I hope that by volunteering at Life Matters, I can hold a space for both representation as well as help more people to be able to reach out.
Kia ora, my name is Bella and I completed my degree in Psychology at the University of Otago. Life Matters appealed to me because we share the goals of reducing stigma around mental health and suicide and increasing support, and I wanted to meet some like-minded people. Everybody has a story to tell and as a Peer Supporter I am able to listen to so many diverse experiences. It is wonderful to be able to spread hope in the community and support the wellbeing of others.
Kia ora, my name is Lily (she/her) and I am currently a third year student studying psychology and sports science at the University of Otago. I was inspired by Life Matters and the work they were doing within the community so decided to become a part of it! I am passionate about people and love the relational, mutual, and holistic aspects of peer support. In my free time I love to get out for a run, play netball, or sit down with a good book.
Kia Ora! My name is Anna, and I am a psychology, marketing, and criminology student with a passion for reducing the stigma around mental health and creating meaningful change in the mental health space. I not only have lived experience with mental health but have also experienced struggle and grief through those around me. My experience at Te Whare Tūmanako has taught me the importance of an authentic and mutual connection for improving wellbeing and the importance of our services for providing a safe space for those experiencing distress. I am happiest when I am reading a good book, making friends with neighbourhood cats or connecting with nature.
Talofa lava, My name is Nusa. I am a proud Pacific Islander from the beautiful island of Samoa "685 to the world." I have 6 beautiful children including my nephew, and a daughter who I adopted out at birth and am lucky to still be part of her life. I have lost both my parents and my son all due to illnesses, but what hits different was loosing my husband to suicide in Jan 2021. Mental health is real! I am blessed to be in a space where I can use my life experiences to help anyone that walks through our doors. Much love & God bless!
Kia Ora!
My name is Tai and I am a Psychology and Sports Development and Management student at the University of Otago. Although I was born in Ōtepoti Dunedin, I have spent most of my life in Whangarei, Northland. I am an avid sports lover, who loves an adventure. I love all types of sports but specifically rugby, football, and snowboarding. I am passionate about making an impact in the mental health sector as I have seen various mental health services fail those close to me. I am excited to be working at Life Matters, as it allows me to actively contribute to diminishing the stigma surrounding Mental Health. Kia Kaha!
Kia ora! My name is Meg. I believe that everyone deserves to feel heard, seen, and valued. I am so grateful to work in a place committed to ensuring that this is the experience of everyone who walks through our doors.
I have a background in psychology and neuroscience and spent several years researching psychedelic-assisted therapy in the UK. Alongside my time with Life Matters, I work in the non-profit sector and as a lived-experience consultant, researcher and advocate. I'm not afraid of ruffling a few feathers to see systems change!
Kia ora, my name is Cleo (nickname for Clare, also our General Manager's name).
My brother's suicide changed everything for me and led to a late-life career change.
During mental distress, others' presence can make all the difference.
What's the most important thing? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.
Kia Ora, Im John.
It's great to have stepped into a peer support role at Life Matters, especially after experiencing times when I myself have needed the same support.
Having overcome personal challenges, including earthquakes, addiction, mental health struggles, depression, anxiety, and being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, I’ve built resilience through adversity. After enduring career trials and tribulations and reigniting my own inner light, my passion now lies in helping others do the same.
I'm a hobbyist writer, car enthusiast, videomaker, and have an affinity for animals and all things nature.
I've found peace in sharing stories and advocating for holistic wellbeing practices, after my own personal development journey and studying Whānau Ora.
Seeing the impacts of suicide and experiencing the ripple effect from it is the driver for me to "make a difference" by contributing to healing, purpose finding and empowerment however I can.
Kia ora, my name is Omri
I love swimming at the beach, exploring the wildlife that Dunedin has to offer, listening to music and playing basketball.
I joined Life Matters, because I know what it feels like to feel alone and to feel like no one cares or listens, and I don’t want anyone else to feel like that. I believe in empowering people to find their voice and their purpose so they can find the value in themselves and I am excited to facilitate that through peer support at Life Matters
Kia Ora my name is Shea Nepia.
My proudest achievement is my partner and two kids, my whānau. Prior to finding this happiness I have known loneliness, loss, addiction and battled with suicidal thoughts as I believed life wasn't going to work out for me. I now know beautiful things can happen in your future when you give yourself the deserving chance to live on with the pain. I welcome you into this safe space where I will be here for you because you and your life matters to me and to us.
