Introducing Matt

Croeso/welcome to this supplementary page of Mahi Hauora - if you’re taking the time to read this, then it means you’re at least a little interested in the content available on this site, so: thanks for dropping by!

I’m someone with a passion for health and well-being at work, especially mental health. I have a strong interest in organisational psychology and am an advocate for protecting workers’ rights, not least their right to be engaged in work that protects and promotes their health and well-being, while being employed in roles that enhance their mana.

I live with chronic depression and anxiety, so have a history of battling mental illness. While I’ve been fortunate to work with many amazing people, I’ve also had the misfortune of holding roles where my mana was diminished and my health and well-being harmed.

Professionally, I am writer/editor, communications specialist, and adult educator. I have been a speech-language therapist, clinical educator (in SLT), technical writer, manager, medical writer, programme writer, and education officer.

For over twenty years, I’ve held roles in the public and private sectors, but primarily the former, working for various Ministries, tertiary institutions, and the wider state sector.

I’ve been fortunate to be able to represent and support others as a Health and Safety Representative, union Delegate, Area Representative, and a member of the Executive Committee for the New Zealand Speech-language Therapists’ Association.

When I’m not working or reading and writing about health and safety, I’m a Dad to four boys in the beautiful Bay of Plenty. On the rare occasions I have spare time, I fill it with art (if you’re interested, you can check out some of my work here), music (performing), reading (typically before falling asleep wherever I’m reading!), and binge-watching SF and fantasy TV and movies.

Thanks again for dropping by - I hope you find the resources on this site useful; don’t forget to share it with others in your network.

Ngā mihi nui,

Matt