Harmony Pasifika

I am an Aotearoa born Pakeha and also a citizen of Tonga through marriage, and Australia through naturalization. I have worked as a registered psychologist for 25 years, in mental health, addictions, recovery, tertiary teaching, and drink driver rehabilitation. This has included four years working in a dedicated Māori mental health team (Te Puna Waiora) and three years in a dedicated Pasifika mental health team (Faleola Service) both under the Counties Manukau District Health Board.

I spent three years living in Tonga, where I had a role as a PE teacher, but was also involved in supporting mental health and counselling services and networks. I speak a some Lea Tonga have some understanding of Māori and Pasifika values and ways. I consider myself a ‘practitioner researcher’ and am currently a PhD candidate with CARRS-Q at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane, studying lived experiences of ‘drink driving’. My passion is in creating meaningful change for individuals, groups and our community at large, with a focus on equity, social inclusion and justice.

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Angela is an Australian who has lived in Aotearoa for more than a decade. She is Harmony Pasifika’s general manager and oversees strategic initiatives that support its kaupapa and the diverse community it helps.

Angela has a Masters of Business Administration and an undergraduate degree in Applied Science (Psychology). During her extensive career, Angela has worked in the corporate, small-business, and non-profit space in a variety of roles. She has served as a steering committee member on many government, industry and community initiatives in Australia and Aotearoa. Before joining Harmony Pasifika, Angela had her own consultancy providing support to community organisations and small businesses.

Angela is passionate about Harmony Pasifika’s mahi and feels very inspired by the team she works alongside.

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My journey as a Pasifika woman born and raised in South Auckland, I have come to appreciate the importance of hope and keeping dreams alive. I stand here today because of the hopes and dreams of my grandparents, who bravely navigated the journey in migrating here from Samoa, Tokelau and the Cook Islands.

Over the past 10 years, I have accumulated training in working with children, education, social services, customer service and most recently gaining becoming a qualified counsellor. In doing this, I aim to equip myself so that I may give back to my roots, the grounds that grew me, my community, Manurewa. As your keyworker/group animator, I am committed to serving you in building a nurturing environment where we can learn from one another.

“You are here to enable the divine purpose of the Universe to unfold. That is how important you are!”
― Eckhart Tolle

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Growing up in a large Pasifika family of 11, my journey began in the medical field, where I discovered a deep passion for helping and caring for others.

I was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and of Tongan descent, I spent my formative years in the United States. At the age of 21, I decided to return home, reconnecting with my roots and culture. It was during this time that I found my calling in Youth Work. Through this work, my love for support and compassion deepened, and I better understood my life’s purpose. This experience also strengthened my connection to my culture, affirming my commitment to working with people from all ethnic backgrounds and walks of life.

Currently, I am in my third year of studying for a bachelor’s degree in applied counselling (Level 7) at Manukau Institute of Technology (Te Pukenga). I aim to further develop my professional and personal skills and experience.

Since 2022, I have had the privilege of serving as a keyworker/group animator at Harmony Pasifika. This role has not only fostered a strong sense of belonging but has also provided me with the opportunity to contribute to positive change, one step at a time. As Julian Michaels wisely said, “It’s not about perfect. It’s about effort. And when you bring that effort every single day, that’s where transformation happens. That’s how change occurs.” This quote resonates deeply with me and reflects my approach to life and work.

I am committed to bringing my best effort every day, knowing that it is through consistent effort that true transformation and lasting change are achieved.

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I am an Aotearoa born Tongan who has lived experience of the challenges, risks, and opportunities faced by young people growing up in our country, and also in Australia where I lived for some years. I embrace diversity and uniqueness, and my journey is driven by a commitment to community wellbeing, and raising awareness about the importance of choices and decision-making.

I am currently studying counselling through a degree at Laidlaw College, and this academic pursuit enhances my capacity to implement new skills, effectively supporting people in their journey toward self-awareness and growth. My goal is to empower our whānau to achieve and sustain meaningful change.

As Abraham Maslow has stated, “In any given moment we have two options: to step forward into growth or step back into safety.” I choose to step forward, guided by a vision of growth and transformation for myself and those I serve. My professional practice is grounded in my faith, unity of thoughts and radiance of heart.

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The newest member of Harmony Pasifika, Benjamin Teh was born and raised in Singapore but moved to Auckland with his family for tertiary study in film and drama. He’s now a New Zealand citizen and has lived in Aotearoa for most of his life.

He’s passionate about the performing arts, movement practice and martial arts, and storytelling games like Dungeons and Dragons. He firmly believes that all these areas can be of incredible therapeutic value for people, if they’re interested in a recommendation or two.

Just before the global pandemic hit, he had decided to pivot from working in the creative arts to working in mental health. He’s currently finishing his final papers in counselling at Manukau Institute of Technology. Benjamin is open to holding space for anyone who might need support in a counselling space, and has a particular interest in helping men of colour, migrants or refugees, and individuals who identify as part of the queer collective or the rainbow community.

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I was born in the beautiful sunny islands of Fiji in 1975. With a deep-rooted passion for healthcare, I pursued medical training in Australia from 1994 to 1999, where I honed my skills and knowledge. After completing my studies, Aashish moved to Auckland, New Zealand, in 1999, and specialised in emergency medicine. My dedication to patient care and commitment to the field earned recognition as a capable emergency medicine specialist in the region.

In 2018, I embarked on a new chapter in my career by pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Studies and Counselling at Auckland University. I recognised the growing need for AOD care and counselling within the community and developed a strong passion for this vital area of healthcare. After completing my diploma in 2020, I undertook a placement at Harmony Trust, under the guidance of Alexi and Tina Dawber, both of whom shared a profound dedication to counselling and reducing the harm caused by drugs and alcohol in the community.

I attained full registration with DAPAANZ (Addiction Practitioners’ Association Aotearoa–New Zealand) and began my role as an AOD counsellor within Harmony Pasifika, where I continue to serve to this day. Harmony Pasifika is a warm, caring, and compassionate organisation, deeply committed to addressing the needs of the community. It is known for treating both its clients and staff with respect, integrity, and care—values that resonate strongly with my approach to work.

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