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Brainwave Trust Aotearoa

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    Our Vision
    Whakamana te i tamaiti.
    Brainwave’s vision is that all children in Aotearoa New Zealand are valued and nurtured so they can reach their potential.

    Our Aim
    At Brainwave Trust, we want every tamaiti to have the best start in life. We share scientific knowledge and indigenous knowledge in an easy-to-understand way, to help whānau raise tamariki to be the best they can be. Our expertise is in child and adolescent development, with a focus on brain development. Brainwave Trust seeks to make this knowledge accessible to all.

    Our Purpose
    We review scientific research and use it to create simple messages about how to support healthy development in pēpi, tamariki and taiohi.  We package these into educational programmes and share with different audiences through interactive workshops. Our workshops and wānanga seek to:

    • Help parents and whanau understand what children need for the best start in life. Providing practical advice about what really matters in the early years and in adolescence, these sessions support parents and whanau to make positively support their tamariki's development.
    • Help professionals who want to build knowledge and understanding of early brain development and the lifelong impact this can have on children.
    • Create intergenerational change in attitudes to parenting by reaching the next generation of parents.

    We also produce articles and resources on specific topics that help both whānau and people who work with tamariki and taiohi to get a better understanding of what is going on and what adults can do to support them to reach their potential. We form partnerships with other organisations to share our knowledge further. We advocate for tamariki and their whānau where societal change is needed, including through submissions to Government.

    We are registered with the Charities Commission.

    Services Provided

    Education and training

    Brainwave offers a range of educational workshops and wānanga, from two hours to a full day, designed to support parents, whānau and anyone who influences the life of a child. These strengths-based sessions help to reinforce what can make a difference for tamariki and taiohi wellbeing and healthy development. Brainwave also offers specifically developed sessions for groups, including high school students and young parents.

    Brainwave offer workshops for professionals who want to deepen their knowledge and understanding of tamariki and taiohi development. Drawing from the latest research on child and brain development and indigenous knowledge, your session will be tailored to the needs of your group and can include a particular focus on the impact of toxic stress, maltreatment and adversity. 

    If you would like more information, please contact info@brainwave.org,nz.

    If you are enquiring about booking a workshop for a group you belong to or work with, please contact bookings@brainwave.org.nz

    Information & Resources
    Advocacy
    We advocate for tamariki and their whānau where societal change is needed, including through submissions to Government and partnerships.
    Abuse and violence support

    Brainwave can offer specifically developed, culturally responsive, strength-based sessions for groups of whānau who have experienced trauma. We also have resources and articles available on our website.

    Service types

    • Education programmes
    • Information and support
    Pregnancy and parenting

    Brainwave offers strengths-based workshops and wānanga that support parents and whanau to make positive choices for their tamariki. Sessions will be tailored to the needs of your group, their experiences and circumstances. We also have resources and articles available on our website.

    Family / whānau support

    As well as offering educational training to whānau, through partnering organisations, we have resources and articles available on our website.

     

    Charges

    We are incredibly grateful to have the support of our philanthropic supporters the Wright Family Foundation, the Bethell Foundation and Sir Thomas and Lady Duncan who enable us to offer many of our educational workshops and wānanga at subsidised or no cost.

    How do I access this service?

    • Contact us