Building Resilience: MHAW Discussion

Life and careers can be full of challenges, but resilience helps us navigate them with confidence and strength. As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, join us for an evening centred on connection, wellbeing, and meaningful conversation. Our three speakers will share their personal journeys, discussing resilience, leadership, career challenges, and the importance of protecting and maintaining mental wellbeing.

Whether you're looking for inspiration, practical advice, or simply an opportunity to connect with others, this event promises thought-provoking stories and valuable takeaways. Spaces are limited, so secure your ticket today and join us for an inspiring discussion on resilience, wellbeing, and the power of connection.

Doors open 5:15pm. Tea, coffee and light nibbles will be provided. Please let us know of any dietary requirements when purchasing your ticket, by Thursday 8th.

Cost: To enable us to cover our event costs only, ticket prices are $10 for NAWIC Members, $15 for Non-Members. Not a Member? Join today.
Parking: Street parking is available at abundance. Please do not park in Summerset village carparks as these are reserved for residents.

Meet our guest speakers:

Kim Laurence – Psychotherapist | Supervisor | Consultant | Educator
Kim is a psychotherapist with more than 12 years’ experience across mental health, addiction, psychotherapy, clinical leadership, governance and health service development, with a career spanning frontline clinical practice through to executive regional leadership. Kim has led multidisciplinary services, contributed to governance and strategic decision-making across the health sector.

Kim previously founded and ran Kaiatarau Collective, a private psychotherapy and consultancy practice providing psychotherapy, professional supervision and mental health consultancy to individuals and organisations. She now works as a Psychological Health Specialist with Hato Hone St John, developing strategies to support the mental wellbeing of New Zealand’s frontline workforce.

Kim has a particular interest in women’s mental health, including the intersection of perimenopause, identity, leadership and workplace wellbeing. Her approach combines clinical expertise with practical, relatable conversations that help people better understand themselves and create healthier workplaces.

Kim is also a Board Trustee for MATES matter NZ, promoting life-supporting communities in the Waikato through various mental health and suicide prevention programmes.

Charlotte Mizzi – Move It Mama Trainer | Podcast & Commercial Partnership Lead at Between Two Beers
Charlotte currently works as Commercial Lead at Between Two Beers, recently voted Podcast of the Year, and is one of the co-founders at Move it Mama, a fitness community built for women at every stage of life.

Across all areas of her work, Char’s work has always circled back to the same belief: that movement is about far more than the physical. Through Move it Mama, Char and her sisters have built a community where thousands of women use exercise not to become someone else, but to return to themselves – whether that’s through pregnancy, loss, burnout, and everything in between. For Mental Health Awareness Month, she'll share a bit about her own story and why staying active has meant more to her than she ever expected.

Lynnie Kritzinger – Building Compliance & Fire Evacuation Consultant DipOSH
Lynnie moved to New Zealand in 2012 and began her career in the tourism industry, working across reception, waitressing, and housekeeping. For four years, she and her family travelled throughout the country as her husband worked on major dairy factory construction projects, experiencing New Zealand from end to end before settling in Hamilton when their son started school.

In 2016, Lynnie entered the world of building and facilities management, where she spent the next decade working across government, commercial, and body corporate portfolios. Her introduction to building compliance came unexpectedly, assisting a colleague with BWOF responsibilities. When that colleague was suddenly unable to continue due to an accident, the entire portfolio shifted to her. With no roadmap and no mentor in the office, she taught herself the legislation, processes, and systems, finding confidence through persistence and a genuine interest in keeping buildings safe.

That moment became a turning point. Today, Lynnie is a Building Compliance and Fire Evacuation Consultant who loves the work she does and continues to grow her expertise. She is currently building her own business while studying parttime with FutureSkills, laying the foundations toward her longterm goal of becoming a fire engineer.

We look forward to seeing you there.
The NAWIC Waikato Committee

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