When Nigel was asked to become the ambassador for Kenzie's Gift, he agreed without hesitation. He’s passionate about promoting the importance of psychosocial wellbeing for the tamariki / children of Aotearoa New Zealand and recognises the contribution we’re making.
Nigel believes it’s important to heighten awareness of the need to support our tamariki / children and mātātahi / young people when a whānau member is diagnosed with mate pukupuku / cancer or serious illness, or there is a bereavement within the whānau.
"It's not just the nature of the services Kenzie's Gift provides," says Nigel, "but also the strong evidence base behind those services. It is fundamentally important that families struggling with these kinds of issues receive support that is evidence-based rather than simply ‘well intended’."
Nigel works tirelessly with tamariki / children and mātātahi / young people as a Clinical Psychologist and his books and talks about parenting and raising tamariki / children have been hugely popular.
Upon completion of his marine science qualification, Nigel went to Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland where he trained as a clinical psychologist and worked there for a period of some 17 years in a number of agencies - Drug and Alcohol rehabilitation, Sex Offender Treatment Programmes, Family Therapy agencies, Child Youth and Family, Probation Services, as well as in private practice.
Nigel works as a clinical psychologist in private practice and continues to consult with organisations and agencies throughout the country working mainly with tamariki / children and mātātahi / young people, as well as adult forensic work. He lectures on a number of senior courses at the NZ Police College and is a frequently requested speaker at conferences and events for schools and organisations.
In addition to psychology, Nigel has published a number of books. These publications include a novel, followed by a non-fiction book published in 2004 about his work as a forensic psychologist called “Into the Darklands” which was the inspiration for a critically acclaimed television documentary series “Beyond the Darklands” which screens in both Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia.
For a complete list of Nigel's publications and his latest news, visit his website.
If you or your whānau are affected by serious illness or grief, talk to us to see how we can help.
Asher’s mum died when he was 9 years old, and his grandma Janice knew that he needed some mental health support. Asher’s mum, Kate, died when he was nine years old. After his mum’s death, Asher was living with his grandma Janice.
When Zareena was diagnosed with a terminal degenerative genetic disease at the age of five, her parents knew her condition was incurable and that she would continue to deteriorate. They are dedicating themselves to her care and the whole family’s wellbeing in the present.
When Nora was three-and-a-half, her younger sister Lumi was born with a very rare heart defect. The Zilmer family was living in Europe at the time. Despite a positive prognosis, Lumi suffered a sudden cardiac arrest at three months old and was unable to be resuscitated.
