Te Tiriti o Waitangi informed Psychology in Aotearoa- AKLD

In this two-day workshop we will explore what Te Tiriti o Waitangi means for psychology in Aotearoa New Zealand. It will focus on examining historical and contemporary contexts relevant for developing understanding about the importance of Te Tiriti to psychology practice and research. 

Day 1 will focus on whakawhanaungatanga, historical context leading up to the signing of Te Tiriti, the ‘spirit’ of Te Tiriti, and what we now know about the provisions of the two Tiriti/Treaty texts.

Day 2 will build on the first day, but with increased focus on Te Tiriti’s influence on the history and practice of psychology within Aotearoa New Zealand. This includes positive developments in the field and developing personalised Te Tiriti analyses and implementation plans.

The workshop will be interactive, and we acknowledge that attendees will be at varying stages of their journey towards understanding Te Tiriti. 

Learning Outcomes:

• Make sense of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in its historical context and how Aotearoa New Zealand has developed as a nation, including new research
• Understand post 1840 Crown and Māori relationships, 50 years of the Waitangi Tribunal and Treaty principles
• Review the context of Te Tiriti in past and present psychological practice and research
• Identify Te Tiriti responsibilities and apply critical Te Tiriti analysis to your professional practice

Presenters: Tania Anstiss & Jessica Gerbic

Jessica Gerbic

Ko Kōpūkairoa tōku maunga,

Ko Tauranga tōku moana,

Ko Waitao tōku awa,

Ko Mataatua tōku waka,

Ko Ngāti Pūkenga, Ko Ngāti Pikiao ōku iwi.

Ko Jessica Gerbic tōku ingoa

I’m a registered clinical psychologist, trained at the University of Auckland, with a background in youth forensics and adult community mental health. After years in the DHB system, I’ve recently stepped out to head back to rumaki reo which is 4 days of week of full immersion, while continuing to grow my business, Pūkenga Psychology. Which is where everything I love comes together—Māori hauora, psychology, digital and physical resources, supervision, online programs, and consultation. It’s a space for re-indigenising mental health, and for making wellbeing practices more culturally grounded and accessible. I’m deeply passionate about restoring and reclaiming spaces that honour our ways of knowing, being, and healing. I’m also a proud mama and a lover of taonga pūoro—playing, learning, and listening to the whakapapa they carry.

Tania Anstiss has been a practising Clinical Psychologist for over 25 years and completed her term as NZPsS President last year. She currently works in public mental health services and is also involved with workforce development, training and mentoring nationally. Tania runs a private practice providing professional supervision to a range of professionals. As Tangata Tiriti, Tania is passionate about addressing inequities in mental health and for the past two years has been part of the working group for developing the apology to Maori on behalf of the psychology profession.