We have lived through the harmful effects of substance abuse. We know that with awhi and aroha, change is possible. We draw on our experiences to inspire and support whānau to heal and to thrive. Our journey gives us insight, empathy, and strength — allowing us to walk alongside others with authenticity, compassion, and hope. Together, we uplift mana, restore balance, and create new futures grounded in whānau, identity, and resilience.
From Meth Addiction to PhD Researcher and Kaupapa Leader
Kaiwhakahaere Matua - Board Chair
Kevin Hollingsworth shares his journey from surviving addiction to building a space of hope.
Ko Ruapekapeka te Maunga
Ko Taumarere te Awa
Ko Akerama te Marae
Ko Ngāti Hine te Hapū
Ko Ngāpuhi te Iwi
Ko Ngātokimatawhaorua te Waka
Kei Rotorua ahau e noho ana I tupu ake au I reira.
Ko Kevin Wiremu Hollingsworth ahau.
Although my whakapapa is from the North, I was raised in Rotorua among the Te Arawa Iwi, where I call home.
A place of confinement and reflection, but also the starting point for change and transformation.
A space of purpose, growth, and contribution — where potential is realised and dreams take flight.
Trevor Lamb – Reintegration Coordinator
E kore te pātiki, e hoki ki tōna puehu – The flounder does not return to its dust
Ko Tāinui tōku waka
Ko Tararua tōku maunga
Ko Manawatū toku awa
Ko Ngāti Ruakawa tōku iwi
Ko Ngāti Huia tokū hapū
Ko Matau ko Huia ngā marae
Ko Trevor Lamb tōku ingoa.
I specialise in supporting individuals as they transition from prison back into the community. My approach is grounded in tikanga Māori focused on building resilience, restoring connections to whānau and empowering individuals to achieve their goals.
While attending the Mana Enhancing STOP community rōpū group, I was inspired by the kaimahi to use my lived experience to support others on their journey. I was told I am Qualified By Experience (QBE) in addiction and offending and I could use my past as a powerful tool to help uplift others. The encouragement motivated me to pursue further education and develop the skills needed to gain meaningful employment in the health care sector.
I am proud to have graduated from Wintec where I completed the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4) specialising in Mental Health and Addiction, Social and Community Services. I am currently studying towards a bachelors degree in applied counselling. I aspire to become a qualified Addiction Practitioner dedicated to supporting individuals and whānau on their journey to healing and wellbeing.
Trevor Lamb – Reintegration Coordinator
Tuwhitia te hopo – Feel the fear and do it anyway.
Ko Ngongotaha te maunga
Ko Rotoruanui- a – Kahumatamomoe te roto
Ko Te Arawa te waka
Ko Te Arawa me Ngapuhi te iwi
Toko wha aku tamariki
Ko Rhian toko ingoa
I work alongside Bail Support, advocating for our Tangata Whaiora and walking beside them on their recovery journey. I facilitate our Rōpū spaces and tautoko all my colleagues in anything that they need.
I lived a life of addiction, loss of connection and crime. I came to a point where I realised I was holding myself back in life and, most importantly, holding my whānau back, so I decided to make a change. My recovery journey started with attending Mana Enhancing STOP Rōpū spaces, followed by treatment and then education. I knew I wanted to give back to the very place that helped me, and to help others in addiction and recovery, because I come from a place of understanding.
This desire led me to volunteering at Mana Enhancing STOP. I was very fortunate and grateful to receive a scholarship through Mana Enhancing STOP with Te Rau Ora. Being able to work as a Kaiawhina is an absolute honour, as well as, to be able to work with our Pou and continue to learn more every day has been a huge part of my growth and recovery. I have had many opportunities and doors open for me since becoming a part of the team. Knowing that the mahi I do can help others means a world of difference to me.
Education and learning is a huge part of my recovery. Since being in recovery, I have completed a Certificate in Whānau Ora, completed many e-learning modules and 1-day wānanga, and I am now studying Wintec to complete Paetahi Tumu Kōrero Bachelor of Counselling.
Bail Support Coordinator
Tuia ki te Rangi, Tuia ki te Whenua, Tuia ki te Moana,
Tuia ki te herenga Tangata Ka Rongo te Po, Ka Rongo te Ao,
Tihei Mauri Ora
Mai i Maketu ki Tongariro’
Ko Matawhaura te maunga
Ko Te Rotoiti-i-kite-a-Ihenga te moana
Ko Te Ohau-Potaka-tawhiti me Okere nga awa
Ko Te Arawa te waka
Ko Rangitihi te upoko whakahirahira
Ko Ngā Pū Manawa e Waru
Ko Ngāti Hinerangi-Hinekiri te hapu, Ko Ngāti Pikiao te iwi.
Ko Meretaka Paora Brown-Houghton toku ingoa.
At Bail Support, we walk alongside tāngata whaiora and their whānau to navigate the justice system with care, dignity, and purpose. Our Kaupapa is grounded in manaakitanga and whanaungatanga, supporting individuals to meet bail conditions while connecting them to wraparound services that enhance wellbeing.
I have completed the Certificate in Whānau Ora (Level 4) and am currently working towards my Diploma in Whānau Ora (Level 5) in 2025, deepening my knowledge to better support whānau wellbeing and transformation. I aspire to attain more knowledge and apply for the Postgraduate in Mental Health and Addiction (Level 8) at Te Awanuiarangi in 2026.
Reintegration Coordinator
From Tangata Whaiora to Kaimahi Hauora Mana Enhancing STOP
Ko Maungakotukutuku te Maunga
Ko Waikane te awa
Ko Paraparaumu te moana
Ko Freya Andersen toku Mama
Ko Mack Anderson toku ingoa
Ko McKinnion Anderson te toku ingoa whanau
Ko Mark Anderson ahau
I first came to Mana Enhancing as a participant in their recovery rōpū, seeking support to overcome my addiction to methamphetamine, methadone, morphine, and heroin. The kaupapa Māori approach, genuine care, and strong whānau environment helped me find hope, healing, and a pathway forward. Today, I’m proud to be part of the Mana Enhancing team, working alongside others to support tāngata whaiora on their own recovery journeys. I know first-hand that change is possible — and that with the right awhi and support, we can reclaim our mana and build better futures.
Since joining Mana Enhancing STOP I have completed my Level 4 Certificate and now completing my Diploma. Next year I am aiming to pursue a bachelor’s in counselling degree.
Kayla Emery
Ko Te Aroha tōku maunga
Ko Waihou tōku awa
Ko Tainui tōku waka
Ko Ngati Maru tōku Iwi
Ko Matai Whetu tōku Marae
Ko Kayla Emery tōku ingoa.
Kaihāpai Kaimahi
I am a Kaihāpai Kaimahi working with Mana Enhancing STOP. I support and uplift the team wherever possible, from helping to co-facilitate rōpū groups, to working with our Tangata Whaiora on our Bail Support waitlist, and starting a new Mana Enhancing STOP Coffee rōpū.
I bring my lived experience and background of addiction to walk alongside my team and our tangata whaiora to support and advocate. The support and aroha that I have received from the team when I first walked in the door of Mana Enhancing rōpū has given me the courage to follow my dreams and goals of being a better person and this brings me to what it means to be a Kaimahi at Mana Enhancing STOP: the love I have in helping whānau, to walk alongside them, to uplift and support them to a better life.
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Ko Tūturu te maunga
Ko Puarenga te awa
Ko Ngāti Wāhiao te hapū
Ko Te Pākira te marae
Ko Te Arawa te iwi
Ko Te Arawa te waka
Working at Mana Enhancing has been more than just a job for me — it’s been a part of my healing. Supporting tangata whaiora who are walking paths I once walked myself has reminded me of the strength in vulnerability and the power of connection. Every story I hear, every step forward I witness, helps to heal parts of me too.
What makes this mahi so special is the way it centres our own ways of being. I deeply appreciate the Māori holistic approach — seeing each person as a whole, through the lens of wairua, hinengaro, tinana, and whānau. This framework allows me to support tangata whaiora in a way that honours their journey, their whakapapa, and their potential.
The responsibilities I carry are not always light, but they are uplifting. They give me purpose. Knowing that my presence, my words, or simply holding space can make a difference is something I never take for granted.
The environment at Mana Enhancing is one of encouragement, joy, and cultural richness. It’s a place where you can laugh, reflect, and grow — all in the same day. I’m proud to be part of this kaupapa and to offer tautoko in a way that feels authentic, grounded, and transformative — for others, and for myself.
Meet our Board Members
Engineer
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Scientist
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Developer