Nourishing the Mind – Hauora Through Kai, Whenua and Whānau

A one-day wānanga on nutritional psychiatry, gut health, soil microbiome and food systems for mental wellbeing.

Join us in Tairāwhiti Gisborne for an immersive full-day workshop exploring the growing evidence linking soil health, nutrition, gut microbiome health and mental wellbeing, alongside the wider systems that shape the quality of the food we eat.

Healthy minds begin with healthy foundations — and those foundations often start in the soil. The life within whenua shapes the quality of the kai we grow, the nutrients we consume and the microbial ecosystems that influence our gut and brain health.

This workshop brings together clinical perspectives and whenua-based knowledge to support a deeper understanding of hauora — from the inside out and from the ground up. Through interactive learning, engaging group discussion and live demonstrations, participants will gain practical insights that can be applied both personally and professionally.

Facilitators

Dr Ivan Lin – Medical Doctor & Psychiatrist (Mind & Nature)
Jacopo Orazi – Soil Agroecologist (Radice Soil Solutions)

Who this is for

This workshop is designed for:

• General Practitioners (GPs) and GP registrars

• Nurse Practitioners and Registered Nurses

• Dietitians, nutritionists and allied health professionals

• Hauora Māori and community health workers

• Food growers and farmers interested in food quality and health

• Whānau and community members interested in preventive wellbeing

• Anyone wanting a deeper understanding of kai, gut health and mental wellbeing

What you'll explore

Across the day, you will explore:

• Nutritional psychiatry and how nutrition influences mental health, mood and resilience

• The gut microbiome and its role in immunity, inflammation and overall wellbeing

• The gut–brain axis and its relevance to stress, anxiety and mental wellbeing

• A live soil microscopy demonstration, exploring soil biology and microbial ecosystems

• How soil health and regenerative growing practices influence food quality

• A One Health perspective on the connection between human health, whenua and food systems

• Practical strategies and reflections for integrating learning into everyday life and clinical practice

Professional development for GPs

This event has been endorsed by The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) and approved for up to 13 CME credits for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) purposes. Credits apply to active Fellows of the College only.

For more details about this RNZCGP CME activity, including learning intentions and anticipated outcomes, please access this link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jgJwFrcorDpDmTidEQXpMtKMr1dcngKj/view?usp=sharing

Important information

This event has been kindly sponsored by Tūranga Health and includes morning tea and lunch.

This workshop is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice or therapy.

Please note that photographs and videos may be taken during this event for promotional and educational purposes. If you do not wish to be included, please let us know on the day.