Meet the team

Director

With over two decades of experience as a mental health clinician, Martin brings a wealth of knowledge, passion and expertise to his role as Director.

Martin guides the Centre’s vision and values and leads the team to be able to provide the best possible care to kiritaki (clients).

Originally from Ireland, Martin completed his training as a Mental Health nurse at Trinity College in Dublin.

Previously Martin has worked at Te Whatu Ora (in both clinical and managerial positions), as well as leading a mental health team at Department of Corrections. Prior to this he held roles in Dublin as a Community Mental Health nurse.

Martin is always keen to hear from potential clients or receive your feedback.

Email
Martin.Quinn@whakamatutu.org.nz

Executive Assistant

Penelope is the Executive Assistant to our Director, providing high-level administrative and organisational support to keep our operations running smoothly. She coordinates communications, and ensures the Director and wider team have what they need to focus on delivering the best outcomes for tāngata whai ora.

With a sharp eye for detail and a proactive approach, Penelope is the go-to person for streamlining processes, anticipating needs, and solving problems before they arise. Her professionalism, warmth, and dedication help create a well-organised, supportive environment for both staff and clients.es here

Financial Administrator

Sarah is responsible for managing the financial systems and processes that keep our service running smoothly. She oversees accounts, budgeting, and reporting, ensuring accuracy and transparency in all financial matters.

With a meticulous approach and a commitment to supporting the wider team, Sarah helps ensure resources are well managed so we can focus on delivering quality care for tāngata whai ora. Her reliability, efficiency, and approachable nature make her a valued member of the team.

Therapeutic Lead

Hayden is a registered psychotherapist (PBANZ), specialising in psychodynamic and psychoanalytic psychotherapy. He has experience supporting people through trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, and attachment challenges, working across clinical, community, and private practice settings.

With a warm and open approach, Hayden creates a safe space to explore how life experiences shape identity and relationships. He draws on object relations, attachment theory, neuropsychotherapy, and trauma-informed practice to help clients find greater understanding, resilience, and the freedom to live more fully.

Clinical Psychologist

Originally trained in Germany, she relocated to Aotearoa in 2023. Astrid works from a psychodynamic perspective, supporting clients to explore how their early experiences have shaped the way they see themselves, interact with others, and move through the world. With this insight, she helps people actively create lives that reflect their own values, aspirations, and sense of meaning.

Astrid’s professional experience spans a wide range of therapeutic settings. She has worked with individuals navigating addictions, trauma, significant physical illness, and psychological distress arising from anxiety, depression, and somatisation. She is skilled in both individual therapy and group therapy, and is committed to creating a safe, respectful space where clients feel understood and supported in their growth.

General Practitioner

Dr Yu was trained in the UK and spent 15 years working in Cornwall before moving to New Zealand with her family.

Bianca will take the time to listen to your health concerns: physical, mental, spiritual and relational. She will explore treatment options and support you to make the right decisions for your recovery.

Bianca has an interest in all aspects of General Practice and feels lucky to work closely with our kiritaki (clients) while they are with us at Whakamātūtū.

Psychotherapist

With nearly 30 years in mental health and addiction, John brings a depth of experience and a compassionate, curious presence to his work. His therapeutic approach blends Transactional Analysis and psychodynamic frameworks with relational and motivational techniques—creating a safe, thoughtful space where clients can explore relationship dynamics, thought patterns, emotions, and behaviours.

John also brings lived experience, a grounded sense of ethics, and a touch of humor to his practice. He supervises other therapists and trainees and plays a key role in running a Transactional Analysis psychotherapy training programme in Wellington—a commitment that reflects his passion for both healing and learning.

Intake Coordinator

Samantha provides trauma-informed psychological assessments for tāngata whai ora referred to the programme. Guided by Te Whare Tapa Whā, Samantha recognises the interconnectedness of mental, physical, social, and spiritual wellbeing, along with the importance of connection to whenua (land). These assessments give the clinical team a clear understanding of each person’s needs throughout their recovery journey.

Approaching each assessment with cultural humility, Samantha ensures the cultural or subcultural worldview of every tāngata whai ora is acknowledged and respected.

Social Worker

combines expertise in counselling, mental health, education, cultural competence, facilitation, and life therapy coaching to support empowerment, health, and wellbeing for all. She is passionate about fostering personal and social change, believing everyone deserves a happy, healthy, and abundant life.

They can help you overcome challenges that get in the way of your recovery by providing support and assistance with personal crises, whānau issues, and legal or social barriers. They connect clients with essential resources within the community and advocate for their best interests. Through individual sessions, group work, courses, and workshops, [Name] works creatively to inspire growth, connection, and lasting change—bringing her lifelong commitment to this work to every interaction.

Pou Ārahi

Rangi Arahina Daniels is a dedicated Pou Ārahi and Kaiwhakaora Rongoā Māori. She brings over nine years of experience in community health, hauora, education, and governance, applying a deeply grounded Te Ao Māori perspective to her work. Rangi provides holistic Rongoā Māori support, cultural guidance to staff, and actively contributes to governance and strategy with a strong commitment to mental wellbeing and Te Tiriti principles

Rangi’s pragmatic, motivated approach brings positive change and continuous improvement—always with a focus on cultural integrity and compassionate support.

Art Therapist

Ffyona Matthews is a highly experienced Art Therapist dedicated to working compassionately with both children and adults. Drawing on over 25 years of practice, she blends art therapy, EMDR, Interactive Drawing Technique (IDT), Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), somatic methods, mindfulness, talk therapy, and sand tray to support healing from depression, anxiety, grief, attachment challenges, trauma, and relationship struggles.

Art Therapist

Sandra is a registered Art Therapist and Professional Member of the Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapy Association (ANZACATA). Practising in New Zealand since 2016, she has extensive experience using creative arts therapy to support people experiencing mental distress, helping them explore emotions, process experiences, and strengthen their sense of self through art-making.

Music therapist

Grounded in her Pasifika heritage, June brings a culturally affirming and holistic approach to her practice as our Music Therapist. She weaves creativity and clinical methodology, enhancing emotional, social, and spiritual wellbeing and strengthening connection through music and cultural identity.

Trauma Sensitive Yoga facilitator

Angela works alongside people experiencing PTSD/CPTSD, anxiety, depression, grief, and stress, offering gentle, evidence-based practices that reconnect mind and body. With over eight years’ experience in both New Zealand and the United States, Angela has supported clients in a wide range of settings.

Her approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in compassion. Angela creates a safe, welcoming space where you can explore what’s important to you, develop tools for everyday life, and move toward healing in a way that feels right for you.