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Te Ara Hāro

Centre for Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health

We improve the lives of infants, children, young people and families across New Zealand by providing high-quality mental health research, training and advocacy.

Formerly the Werry Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.

Our People

Te Ara Hāro, the Centre for Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health is a research centre at the University of Auckland, based at the Department of Psychological Medicine.

Made up of a team of dedicated teachers, researchers and clinicians, our Centre members work together on the biggest challenges and barriers to wellbeing that face young people in Aotearoa today.

Our Values

We aim to improve the mental health of infants, children, young people and families in New Zealand by conducting first-class mental health research and by providing training and advocacy that create lasting and impactful change.

We are committed to ensuring Te Tiriti o Waitangi is instilled into the values of our Centre. Our work is guided by the following principles:

  • Self-Determination / Tino Rangatiratanga: The principle of self-determination – this provides for Māori self-determination and mana motuhake.
  • Partnership / Pātuitanga: The principle of partnership – requires us to work with iwi/Māori in a strong and enduring relationship.
  • Equity / Mana Taurite: The principle of equity – we are committed to achieving equitable health outcomes for Māori.
  • Active Protection / Whakamarumarutia: The principle of active protection – we strive to be well informed on the extent, and nature, of both Māori health outcomes and efforts to achieve Māori health equity through culturally safe practice.
  • Options / Kōwhiringa: The principle of options – We aim to operate in a culturally appropriate way that recognises and supports the expression of te ao Māori models of care.

Maintaining a national focus, we work collaboratively with other individuals and organisation to achieve a lasting and impactful change.

Our Partners

We know we are stronger together

By working with health professionals, community and industry leaders, plus government and academic networks across New Zealand, we can achieve our goals.

Together, we are improving the mental health of New Zealanders for generations to come.

How We Make a Difference

Conducting and promoting high-quality research into infant, child and adolescent mental health.

Promoting high-quality mental health training for professionals working with infants, children and adolescents.

Supporting the infant, child and adolescent mental health workforce to provide high-quality care.

Advocating for the mental health needs of infants, children and adolescents throughout New Zealand.