Tēnā koe

My name is Tania Henderson, and for over 20 years I have worked with at risk whānau supporting them on their parenting journeys.  I have a variety of qualifications, which include Adult Educator, Whānau Therapist, Mediator and Whānau ora Navigator, and am a trained facilitator in a multitude of parenting programmes (including Building Awesome Whānau, Incredible Years).

All my work is guided by tikanga Māori practices and is community needs driven. By engaging my own cultural practices into my mahi, I have been able to work successfully, not only with whānau impacted by FASD but also with the cross-sector services that they rely upon for other support.

My focus from 2012 to 2019 was on raising awareness of FASD within our Far North communities of New Zealand.  This was achieved by creating learning opportunities for individuals with FASD, whānau living with the reality of FASD, and their support networks.

Since 2020 I have been able to focus 100% on raising awareness of FASD and have been delivering FASD Informed and Awareness trainings and Whānau support not just in Ōtautahi – Christchurch, but around this beautiful country of ours.

I have also contributed to the Northern Region FASD Strategic Plan and was recruited as a panel member to assist with the development of the NZ National FASD Training Tool (developed by Te Pou o te Whakaaro Nui) to ensure it included tikanga Māori practices. In recognition of past mahi done in the Far North our site was also chosen as the second pilot site in the development of the Frontline Professional FASD Training Tool and we subsequently successfully ran the first of the Frontline Professional FASD Training Tool workshops.  

I was also a member of the panel which fed back to the Government on the 2016-2019 NZ FASD National Strategic Plan.

In 2022 I became a member of the NZ FASD Diagnostic Guidelines Project Team. It's a privilege to be part of the team whose role is to create a guideline that is Te Tiriti-centric, inclusive of cultural practices, community needs driven, and is reflective of our unique needs in Aotearoa.

In addition, I a member of the Christchurch FASD Professionals Group and the Tairawhiti FASD Roopu and am also a Steering Group member of the FASD Day – APSAD (Australian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs) Conference.

In February this year I accepted a part time FASD Navigator role with FASD-CAN and even though I am based in Ōtautahi – Christchurch, I do have capacity to work within Te Waipounamu.  I am looking forward to this new chapter in my FASD journey.

Ngā mihi nui

Tania