Play therapy – a mechanism for improving wellbeing - Mana Ake

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The Mana Ake SLC under CCN was disestablished in December 2023. The activity of the group has been transitioned to the Community and Public Health | Te Mana Ora.

Mana Ake - Stronger for Tomorrow provides mental health and wellbeing support for children aged five to 12 years old across Canterbury.

Mana Ake kaimahi are employed by one of 12 providers and work with schools to support teachers, families and whānau when children are experiencing issues that impact their wellbeing such as managing emotions, friendships and bullying, parental separation and grief and loss.

Kaimahi have a diverse range of skills and include psychologists, social workers, counsellors, teachers and youth workers. Kaimahi can work with children and their families at school, in the community or at home and with groups of children in schools. They provide advice, guidance and support for teachers and family/ whānau.

You can talk to your local school to find out about what is being offered by the Mana Ake team.

If you're concerned about your child’s wellbeing or mental health, you should talk to their child's teacher, or a member of the school staff, to check if Mana Ake is the right service to support your child. If your child does not currently attend a school, you can request support directly from Mana Ake via manaakefeedback@cdhb.health.nz

Mana Ake team leaders (kaiarahi) support geographic teams of kaimahi. If you have a query about Mana Ake you can contact the kaiarahi for your area (phone numbers to the right).

See the links under the Related Pages heading to find out more about supporting a child’s wellbeing. This list includes the Mana Ake website.

Mana Ake karakia read by Karaitiana Tickell

E atawhai ana mātou

Te whakatōkia o ngā kakano i ruia mai

E nga māhuri tōtara e tipu ana mō āpōpō.

Nā tātou katoa hei awhi te kaupapa,

Hei mana ake te tū tauira tonu ai.

Haumi ē, Hui ē, Tāiki ē.

We nurture and protect

the seeds sown near and far,

so that they may grow into mighty totara for a not so distant tomorrow.

We embrace our responsibility,

To encourage students on a path of lifelong learning.

Unified, Together, Strong.

Play therapy – a mechanism for improving wellbeing

09 Aug, 2019 | Return|

Children across Canterbury will benefit from ‘play therapy’ as a mechanism for improving wellbeing and mental health, as part of a partnership between Mana Ake – Stronger for Tomorrow and Sport Canterbury.

Sport Canterbury gifted 26 packs of sporting equipment, one for each cluster, to Mana Ake kamahi (workers) in a demonstration event at the Design Lab in July.

At the session Sport Canterbury staff introduced kaimahi to the items included in the packs and went through a variety of games and activities the equipment could be used for to achieve a variety of outcomes.

Alena Keating, Mana Ake kaimahi who is employed by Family Help Trust, said it was great to learn how they best meet the needs of the young people in terms of developing their skills through play.

“I think the kit will be a really good way to engage young people into Mana Ake, particularly the groups we run. It’s great for them to learn about friendship skills and how we can learn to work together towards goals.”

Phillip Vailfale, Mana Ake kaimahi employed by Etu Pasifika, added: “No kid likes to be stuck inside a room talking about their feelings but through play a lot more discussions can happen.”

Desiree Ettmuller, Mana Ake Practice Lead said: “We’re really grateful to Sport Canterbury for this generous donation and the opportunity to further collaborate. It will make a huge difference in helping our kaimahi create environments and activities that promote positive conversations around managing out tamariki’s wellbeing.”