Our Intervention Team

Nik Sala 

Good with people, I have found a calling finding work in creative and supportive spaces interfacing with people's disturbance and suffering towards some kind of amelioration, increased self understanding and agency.

Able to hold space for those living with traumatic disturbance and mental health issues, I have skills and experience working with Tangata Whaiora in creative or therapeutic environments and peer support roles (Vincents Community Arts workshop, Te Whare o Matairangi, Men and Trauma NZ, Whakamatutu), employing art as a tool for personal process and healing.

“In my place of work, I see many people work with tangata whaiora utilising art as a tool for engagement, hope, recovery and health. In comparison, Nik’s work with tangata whaiora is
unmatched. The care, passion and love that he delivers through his art not only creates engagement, hope, recovery and health but a sense of humanity that can be lost a lot of the time when working with tangata whaiora.”

Former mental health staff member at Te Whare o Matarangi, Sara Tamati.

Coming from a background in personal trauma amidst unresolved intergenerational traumatic
experience in my family and broader society, I am familiar with numerous mental health issues
intersecting addiction, alcoholism, sexual abuse, suicide, anger and violence, bullying, divorce and
broken families, among others.

Warren Olsen

Warren Olsen had trauma as a child.  Both parents had issues that were deep routed.
​My experience with addictions ceased when I was 27. Involvement with counsellors and psychotherapists were a usual vice for me while I was maturing as an adult.
I now assist persons with their lifelong journeys. I am studying Counselling and Addictions Practicum.

Jasmine Byrami

Hi! My name is Jasmine (They/Them).
​
I am pākehā and was raised in Te Papaioea, and am currently in my second year of Counselling and Addiction Practice with Weltec. While on placement with Men and Trauma New Zealand I'm here to learn and support, and am developing an interest in neurodiversity-affirming practices.

Jonny Robertson

Institutionalised twice as a teenager, I have since had decades of experience supporting people from varied backgrounds to address challenges with substance abuse and accompanying mental health issues. I have a deep passion for talk therapy, the experience of relationship it can provide, and the potential that such a relationship can have to alter our sense of ourselves and others. I believe that regardless of our personal history, we each have great potential for change, and that a large part of this change can come about through the process of learning to become curious about ourselves.

A. M. Leal Rodriguez  (She/Her) - PhD Candidate

A. M. Leal Rodriguez is a PhD candidate at the University of Auckland. Working as a feminist activist with more than a decade of experience in the development and education sector led her to study masculinities in the Global South, gender, and education. She has training in psychosocial first aid. Her current hyperfixation is becoming more "outdoorsy."