Workshops
Theme: Homelessness

Workshops designed to share learnings, practice and research to collectively achieve better outcomes when responding to and preventing homelessness. Participants will learn about and contribute to the development of tools and approaches that will support effective practice. Designed to support practitioners and organisations to consider the realities, challenges and the broader implications of homelessness.

Organisational Readiness Through a Lived Experience Lens

Presenters: Awatea Hawke, Housing First Auckland; Amanda Bradley and Malcolm McKenna, Te Pou; Gavin Pike, Linkpeople

Description: Through a collaboration between Housing First Aotearoa and Te Pou, this session will share insights from the Lived Experience Community of Practice journey. The presenters will explore what organisational readiness could look like when lived experience staff, including those in peer support roles and non-lived experience teams work together. Through reflective discussion and practical examples, attendees will gain tools and strategies to strengthen organisational readiness structures, processes and practices within their teams and organisations.

Audience: Leaders, managers, peer support workers, and practitioners interested in lived experience and peer support.

Gavin Pike

Gavin Pike
LinkPeople

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Ko Ngongotaha te maunga

Ko Te Rotoruanui-a-Kahumatamomoe te moana

Ko Owhata te marae

Ko Ngati Whakaue te iwi

Ko Te Arawa te waka

Ko Te Arawa te iwi

Ko Tama-te-kapua te tangata

Mai Maketū ki Tongariro

Ko Gavin Pike ahau

Gavin has over 26 years’ experience in the Peer Workforce sector and has his own lived experience in both mental health and addictions and homeless space.

In 2001, Gavin was the founder of a Peer Support Service & at the time the only second in the country. Jim Burdett from Mind & Body Consultants helped develop & introduce this unique model, which today is widely acknowledged across Aotearoa (NZ).

In addition, Gavin has 22 years’ experience in health auditing with a focus on Te Tiriti o Waitangi, health outcomes for Māori, Māori workforce, quality improvement, service delivery and Tāngata Whaiora rights.

In 2022 Gavin was contracted as the National Project Coordinator for Mind and Body to lead the co-ordination of Covid-19 and wellbeing contracts with NGO Peer services across Aotearoa.

In 2023 Gavin was appointed as the Service Manager for Ka Puta Ka Ora Emerge Aotearoa to oversee residential and community support services in Whakatāne and the Ōpōtiki Peer Day Programme.

Gavin is currently the Peer Leader Lived Experience for LinkPeople in the Lakes region with responsibilities across workforce development, peer supervision, training and support groups.

In addition, Gavin works nationally implementing the Peer Workforce Strategy for LinkPeople and contributes to the Housing First Lived Experience Community of Practice, Aotearoa.

In 2024, Gavin was appointed over a three-year period as Deputy Community Member for the Mental Health Review Tribunal.


Housing with Aroha: Youth Supportive Housing Models

Presenters: Bianca Johanson, Manaaki Rangatahi; Troy Para and Michaela Hindson, He Herenga Kura

Description: Join us to explore supportive housing models for young wahine. Hear what has worked, the challenges encountered, and how youth-focused initiatives have supported this mahi. Gain practical insights for organisations working with homeless rangatahi and youth housing providers.

Audience: Homeless and youth housing providers - leaders and practitioners.

National Homelessness Data Project – Building a National Picture

Presenters: Rami Alrudaini, Housing First Auckland; Marjolaine Stranaghan, Community Housing Aotearoa; Prof Nevil Pierse, University of Otago

Description: The National Homelessness Data Project (NHDP) emerged from the last CHA conference 2024 and a shared call from government and the sector for more consistent, nationwide data on homelessness. This workshop will provide an overview of the three NHDP workstreams, share insights from current progress, and highlight how service providers can participate. Join us to learn how your organisation can contribute to building a stronger evidence base to inform policy and practice.

Audience: Homeless and housing service providers – leaders and practitioners.

Papatūānuku in Action: Learning Across Communities of Practice

Presenters: Dr Kathie Irwin (by video); Vic Crockford and Amanda Kelly, Coalition to End Women’s Homelessness (CEWH)

Description: At the 2024 CHA conference, CEWH ran a workshop to start to co-create a kete of knowledge to support organisations working with women and children experiencing homelessness. Since then, Dr Kathie Iriwin, has joined the CEWH as Kaihutu and developed the Papatūānuku Paradigm, a Te Tiriti-based gender analysis toolkit. This workshop will explore how the Paradigm can guide a Te Ao Māori gender analysis lens in practice, drawing on insights and experiences from communities of practice.

Audience: Homeless and housing service providers - leaders and practitioners.

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This event is organised by  Conferences & Events Ltd
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Conference Manager :
Amy Abel
+64 4 384 1511
cha2026@confer.co.nz
www.confer.co.nz