Winter Wellbeing Workshop: Matariki Reflection with Donna Barlow-Rolleston

Matariki: Herenga Waka

Matariki for Everyone

More than Stars

Come along and enjoy a mix of storytelling, knowledge bombs (thanks to Dr Rangi Matamua) and a chance to reflect this Matariki. Learn how each star has its own story and responsibility, the 3 pillars of Matariki and enjoy a reflective experience, Matariki style. 

Leave with a deeper understanding of Matariki and ready to make plans for Matariki 2026, your style.

Mānawatia a Matariki! Embrace/ Celebrate Matariki! Hei reira! See you there! 

This is the third and final workshop in our winter wellbeing series. It can absolutely be attended as a stand-alone, even if you didn't attend the first two workshops.

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Inclusivity & accessibility 

We are an inclusive community and strive to make our events as inclusive as possible for everyone who attends. You can read our community guidelines here. If you have accessibility needs, please speak to us about how we can make this work for you. 

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ABOUT YOUR FACILITATOR

Donna Barlow-Rolleston

Of Ngāti Maniapoto and Pākehā descent, Donna is a high-energy and knowledgeable facilitator known for delivering collaborative and engaging workshops. She is a bridging person between the Māori and non-Māori worlds, helping organisations build cultural competence and confidence when engaging with Māori.

Recognised as a living example of biculturalism and the richness this brings, Donna is passionate about sharing her insights for a thriving Aotearoa!

Outside of mahi, Donna loves to go to the theatre, art galleries and spend time with friends and whānau.

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ABOUT YOUR ORGANISERS

This workshop is the third in a series of three workshops organised for Project Sunrise by Dr. Missy Wolfman and Clarissa Hirst.

Dr. Missy Wolfman

Director and Senior Clinical Psychologist at Empowerment Psychology

• Registered Clinical Psychologist with the NZ Psychologist Board

• Associate Member NZ College of Clinical Psychologists (MNZCCP)

• Member of Perinatal Anxiety Depression Aotearoa (PADA)

• Associate Member of EMDR NZ

Dr. Wolfman is an experienced clinical psychologist with 8 years experience as a fully registered clinical psychologist.

She has over 10 years of undergraduate and postgraduate training and qualifications in Psychology, and nearly 18 years of experience in counseling and mental health settings.

Her expertise is working with neurodivergence, assessing and working with clients with ADHD and Autism. Her other expertise is treating PTSD and trauma, and she uses EMDR as her main treatment approach.

She also loves supporting mothers and parents. She was the lead psychologist at a neurodevelopmental team in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) at a hospital and been trained to utilise evidence based assessment such as the ADOS-2. She has extensive experience working with children, adolescents and adults in diverse settings including in private practice, Child, Youth & Family’s secure Care & Protection, and Youth Justice residences, in a high security prison, and Children & Adult Community Mental Health Service (Waitemata DHB).

Dr. Wolfman is available for clinical supervision in person or online.

She is a regular speaker and workshop facilitator, having worked with Australasian and global brands including Canon and She Mentors.

Learn more about Dr. Wolfman here.

Clarissa Hirst

Clarissa (Riss) is one of the co-founders of Project Sunrise and an ICF-certified coach, specialising in helping those navigating burnout and periods of high stress and overwhelm. Her approach to wellbeing is practical and grounded in neuroscience and her own lived experience, focusing on how small mindset shifts can have a huge long-term impact.

Riss has run burnout prevention workshops for a range of organisations, including Unitec, Vista Group, Marriott International, Squirrel, PIE Funds and Auckland Young Professionals. She's a regular speaker and MC at events and leader of several of Project Sunrise's Auckland events.

Learn more about Riss here.

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About Project Sunrise

Project Sunrise is a community to support people navigating burnout and mental health struggles.

We run weekly events around Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, ranging from free walks to mindfulness workshops and gentle exercises, all in a pitch-free, no-expectation environment.

For more events visit our website or follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

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Community Disclaimer

This event is intended to foster conversation, connection, and awareness around mental health topics within our community. However, it is important to note that this event is not a professional counselling or therapy service, nor does it replace professional mental health care.

If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health concerns, distress, or crisis, we strongly encourage you to seek support from a licensed mental health professional. In cases of emergency or immediate danger, please seek immediate help by calling emergency services on 111 or a crisis helpline. Details are listed below:

In an emergency or immediate danger - call 111 or go to your nearest ED

Talk to your local Mental Health Crisis Team (CATT Team). In Auckland these are as follows:
Waitematã (Wellsford to North Shore): (09) 486 8900
Henderson: (09) 822 8501
Rodney: (09) 427 0360
Auckland City: 0800 800 717
Counties Manukau (South Auckland to Te Kauwhata): 09 261 3700

Free nationwide counselling services with the Mental Health Foundation - Free call or text 1737

Or visit https://mentalhealth.org.nz/he... for more options.

Thank you for being part of this conversation and supporting mental health awareness.