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Reflection and Empathy

There are few moments more fulfilling in life than seeing your children thrive and contribute to the world in ways that embody the values you hold dear. Reading this powerful piece by my son, Dr. Pounamu Jade Aikman, fills me with immense pride. His work as a kaupapa Māori researcher and advocate for the humanities is a profound reflection of the lessons our whānau holds close: the importance of empathy, cultural grounding, and fostering meaningful connections.Pounamu’s insights into the 'fl...

Waiata in the Woolshed: In Conversation with Glenn Colquhoun

On October 17, 2024, Anah had the honour of being the MC for Waiata in the Woolshed, an event that provided a unique opportunity to meet author and GP Glenn Colquhoun from the Horowhenua....

Reflections on the Global Nurses' Voices Speaker Series

In February 2024, I had the privilege of speaking at the Global Nurses' Voices Speaker Series, an innovative outreach by the Nightingale Initiative for Global Health (NIGH). This series brought together nurses, including students and retirees, to share stories advocating for healing, resilience, and collaboration worldwide....

What I do know it will

I am flying across Moemoea the Qantas wing to my left. East to west. It feels, on this day, a Saturday, the day after my first international speaking opportunity, that the stars have now aligned. Now is the time that big dreams are being realised.  A Korowai of many braids is growing stronger, the pattern bolder and the voice clearer. I have for a very long time known, felt, the puku intuition, in the second brain, in the stomach, that I would be sharing my experiences a...

Work to break down barriers to Māori health, recognised

Article by Esther Ashby-Coventry ...

Becoming an Integrative Nurse Coach: Insights from New Zealand's First Workshop

Article by Louise Bobbitt – Kai Tiaki Nursing New Zealand vol 27 no 7 August 2021.10 Louise Bobbitt, RN, PGDipNurs, INC, is a clinical nurse specialist in oncology at Auckland District Health Board, and an integrative nurse coach and mindfulness-based stillness meditation teacher. ...

From Timaru to Harvard: Dr. Pounamu Jade Aikman's Inspiring Journey

Article by Keiller MacDuff...

Trauma-Informed Care: Timaru’s First National Training Day Draws a Full House

(Story from Timaru Herald – Writer Keiller MacDuff, Photos Valentina Bellomo) ...

5 Essential Self-Care Practices for a Healthier You

Self-care is a key component of integrative nurse coaching. We don’t often think about the importance of taking care of ourselves, especially when we’re so busy taking care of other people. But the truth is out: you deserve a little self-care just as much as the next person!Giving yourself a moment to breathe and reset in the midst of your daily life can benefit you in a very real way. You don’t need to go all-out and spend a chunk of money on an ‘Eat Pray Love’ kind of reawakening eit...

Reflections on Our Central Otago Retreat

Adventures often begin with a spontaneous moment and the opportunity to just do it.Creating out-of-the-ordinary travel and wellness experiences for women was deeply woven into my sense of purpose. Guiding, inspiring, and empowering women to become more than they believed possible brought me great joy. Watching women let go and fly was a privilege. Experiencing discomfort allowed us to grow lifelong lessons. Meaningful conversations and new experiences that stimulated different ways of being and ...

Delivering Integrative Nurse Coaching to Aotearoa

New Zealand may be small, but we are mighty. We’re proud to have hosted the International Nurse Coach Association’s first ever accredited nurse coach program outside of the USA.Having both studied at the International Nurse Coach Association, Heather Leong and I decided to bring their compassionate teachings to this small slice of paradise we call home....

Living in Lockdown

My daughter has been living in Melbourne for the past year. I asked her to share her experience of isolation, restrictions, and lockdown.This is her story.A COVID-19 CalendarMarch...

Change From Within

True change starts on the inside When we talk about personal change, we are talking about the stuff on the inside. The negative beliefs we hold, positive values we hide, and the perspectives we need to broaden and grow.Drastic changes like reaching our goal weight, moving to another city, starting a new job or completely upending what we know as ‘normal’ won’t always bring us the internal shift we’d hoped for.Why outer change is not the same as changing from within Wherever we ...

The Importance of Values-Based Leadership

What is values-based leadership?Values-based leadership is the act of leading by, through and because of one’s values. We’re talking about the good, honest values, like kindness, empathy, self-reflection and growth.Practicing these values in your daily life will have you leading by example – whether you see yourself as a leader or not. Because being a leader isn’t about being loud, charismatic and popular.It’s about being true to who you are, working on your own development and growth,...

Exploring Integrative Nurse Coaching

Changing lifestyle and behaviour to improve wellbeingOver the years, many people have asked me the question: what is Integrative Nurse Coaching?Integrative Nurse Coaching is the practice of honing in on lifestyle and behavioural changes to improve wellbeing.Put another way, it is an integrative approach to health and wellness actioned through the dynamic health lens of Nurses.What does it take to become an Integrative Nurse Coach?Nurses have a very unique perspective....

How We Stayed Human During COVID-19

COVID-19 is impacting the world in a huge wayBy now, we’ve all heard the story: the devastating consequences of COVID-19 are changing the world as we know it.During this time, we must stay connected to our values and keep being human. We must learn to adapt, be open to change, grow in resilience and choose love over fear.We cannot control the spread of COVID-19. But we can control the way we react to it....

Celebrating 2020: The International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife

The World Health Organisation have declared 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife....

The Essentials of Integrative Nurse Coaching – Christchurch 2020

When?9 – 4.30 pmSaturday 17 & Sunday 18October 2020Where?The Welder20-26 Welles Street,Christchurch 8011...

The Essentials of Integrative Nurse Coaching – Waikato 2020

When?9 – 4.30 pmSaturday 26 & Sunday 27September 2020Where?Te Kopua MaraeMorgan Rd PokuruTe Awamutu...

Introducing Anah: My Journey of Empowerment and Purpose

I was born on July 4th. I share my birthday with America’s Independence Day. The year was 1957, the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Rooster. I am a Cancer, a water element, ruled by the moon. Matariki has always been of significant meaning to me, a cluster of seven stars that the Māori New Year is named for. It is a word that translates to ‘eyes of the god’....

Reflections on Peace in Our Times

Tēnā koutou e ngā rangatira mā i tēnei wā pouri rawa.It is with the greatest respect that I greet you all in this unprecedented time of deep sadness.It is a time of great change for us in Aotearoa, New Zealand, as our country is rocked by last Friday’s mass shootings at the peaceful Christchurch mosques.This assault has deeply impacted our kiwi communities and global citizens on the most human of levels––through spirit, mind and body. Our psyche has been disrupted, our foundations kn...

Changing Lenses: A Podcast Exploring Nursing Stories

Kaupapa / Purpose :Raising the Nurses Voice. Nurses are the Landscape of Health. Changing Lenses: A Unique Perspective in Health and Wellbeing.The purpose is to share the nurse's Story. Changing Lenses is based on the narrative of the personal journey of each nurse.These radio interviews allows listeners to hear the human story of nurses, their successes, challenges and how they see the world around them.In this Q and A interview-style radio program, the interviewer allows the story to evolve or...

Exploring Discovery & Mindfulness Under the Tipi

This event took place on February 25th, 2017.The Art of Discovery, Mindfulness and Purpose will be explored within this beautiful authentic space. This very unique personal experience, under the Tipi, is significant and aligned with our event content.” … the tipi embodies the understanding of the connection between the physical and the metaphysical realm, and to live in it meant everything was in balance and harmony”....

Dixie Chicks 2017: A Night to Remember

The Dixie Chicks 2017 concert was more than just a performance, it was an electrifying celebration of music, connection, and the sheer power of storytelling through song. Their harmonies resonated deeply with the audience, creating an atmosphere of unity and joy that lingered long after the last note was played.Whether it was belting out fan favourites or reflecting on their journey, the Dixie Chicks delivered a night to remember, leaving us all inspired by their passion and artistry....

Changing Lenses Workshop Reflections

Reflections Changing LensesMe aro koe ki te hā o Hine-ahu-one, Ko Hine tītama, Ko Hine nui te Po. Pay heed to the dignity of women.Joining Anah and her amazing team at the Changing Lenses – A one-day Health and Wellness Workshop was enlightening and empowering.From the early stages of preparing for this day to the closing process at the end of the workshop embodied the very essence of compassion. The energy in this workshop went beyond the powerful words that were conveyed.Anah paid homage t...