Kia ora e te whānau, and welcome to another meaningful kōrero on the Tino Pai Podcast. In this episode, we sit down with Martin Sloman (QSM), an experienced Mental Health Counsellor, registered with NZAC, who has been based on the beautiful Kāpiti Coast since moving from the UK in 2009.

Martin has supported countless people through anxiety, depression and the everyday challenges that can quietly weigh us down. But his impact stretches far beyond the counselling room. He’s co-founder of Whirlwind, a grassroots movement helping men feel better about life through honest conversations and peer support. He also played a key role in shaping the vision for the Kāpiti Kindness Trust, a community-led initiative championing kindness, connection, and accessible wellbeing support for all.

In this kōrero, Martin shares his fascinating journey, including the challenge of adapting his practice to the Aotearoa cultural context and the lesson he learned about the absolute necessity of building trust before discussing deep personal issues. You'll hear why he sees anxiety as the number one issue facing people today and his essential "100% of 75%" rule for maintaining his own mental wellbeing.

This episode is a powerful kōrero about authenticity, mental health, and the belief that kindness is the crucial currency for true community resilience.

🔗 Tautoko & Rawa | Support & Resources

Whirlwind – Helping men feel better about life

• https://www.whirlwindstories.com
• https://www.facebook.com/whirlwindstories

Kāpiti Kindness Trust – Facilitating kindness in the community

• https://www.facebook.com/kapitikindness
• www.kapitikindness.co.nz

💬 Join the Kōrero

If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who might need to hear it today. Kindness travels further when we pass it on.

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#TinoPaiPodcast #MentalHealth #MensWellbeing #KapitiKindness #Whirlwind #AnxietySupport #DepressionAwareness #CommunityKindness #KōreroTūturu#Whakawhanaungatanga

🎙️ Tino Pai Podcast | Leah Clark on the #Hashtag Smokefree Rangatahi Advocacy

Kia ora and welcome to a special episode of the Tino Pai Podcast, released in honour of International Smokefree Day. Today, we’re joined by a passionate health promoter and fierce youth advocate—Leah Clark from Health NZ Te Whatu Ora.

Leah has been a guiding force behind The Hashtags, a rangatahi-led group based in Wainuiomata that’s been driving real legislative change in Aotearoa since 2010. With support from Leah and co-mentor Sisi Tuala Le’afa, this group of young change-makers made history by successfully campaigning to make it illegal to smoke or vape in cars with anyone under 18—a law that came into effect on 28 November 2021.

In this episode, Leah shares the inspiring journey of The Hashtags, how a community-driven response turned into national law reform, and why she believes in the power of rangatahi to lead change. From confronting smoking rates in Wainuiomata to presenting at Parliament, The Hashtags are proof that youth voice, when nurtured, is unstoppable.

🔗 Learn more about smokefree laws in Aotearoa:

Smokefree laws in cars – NZ Government

🎧 Tune in as we unpack how health advocacy, leadership, and community spirit came together to change the law—and how it all started with a small group of passionate youth from Wainuiomata.

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Stay tuned for more honest, uplifting kōrero from our communities.

#TinoPaiPodcast #LeahClark #Hashtags #YouthLeadership #Advocacy #WellingtonYouth #Tinopai

🎙️ Tino Pai Podcast | Angela McLeod on Youth Advocacy & Community Leadership

Nau mai, haere mai e te whānau! In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Angela McLeod — former Upper Hutt Councillor, passionate community advocate, and fierce champion for equity and women’s rights.

Angela joins us to kōrero about Rangatahi Voices for Change — a powerful kaupapa designed to uplift young people across the Greater Wellington Region. With a one-day workshop happening on May 20 at Pātaka in Porirua, this initiative is all about helping rangatahi (especially Māori and Pacific students) to step into leadership, build real-world advocacy skills, and speak up on the issues that matter most — from health and human rights to civic action. 💥

With over 20 years of experience driving policy, change, and community development, Angela brings valuable insights on how young people can make an impact — and why this workshop could be the spark that lights their journey. 🔥

📌 Want to be part of it?

This workshop is for students from Year 11 to 13 in the Greater Wellington Region —

👉 Register now or find out more via the link to register.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rangatahi-voices-for-change-workshop-tickets-1258757791439

Know someone who should hear this? Share it with your network, your school, or your whānau. Every voice counts. Every story matters.

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#TinoPaiPodcast #AngelaMcLeod #RangatahiVoicesForChange #YouthLeadership #Advocacy #WellingtonYouth #Tinopai #KōreroTūturu

🎙️ Tino Pai Podcast | Mercedes Livingston on Living with ADHD

Nau mai, haere mai! In this episode of the Tino Pai Podcast, our host Lee Eklund sits down with Mercedes Livingston to kōrero about her journey growing up with ADHD. From childhood challenges to navigating college and adulthood, Mercedes shares her experiences, struggles, and triumphs with honesty and mana.

ADHD can impact many areas of life, but with the right support, strategies, and understanding, people can thrive. Whether you or someone you know is living with ADHD, this kōrero is for you.

🔗 Tautoko & Rawa | Support & Resources

https://www.adhd.org.nz/

https://info.health.nz/mental-health/mental-health-conditions/adhd-in-adults

https://mentalhealth.org.nz/conditions/condition/adhd-in-adults

https://www.kidshealth.org.nz/adhd-aroreretini

https://healthify.nz/health-a-z/a/adhd-adults

📖 Pukapuka | Book Recommendation

This is ADHD by Chanelle Moriah | https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/155639190-this-is-adhd

💬 Join the Kōrero

If this episode resonates with you, let us know in the comments! Kia kaha, stay strong, and keep being tino pai!

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#TinoPaiPodcast #ADHD #MentalHealth #TeReoMāori #KōreroTūturu

In this episode of the Tino Pai Podcast, we sit down with Lee as he shares his powerful journey growing up in the UK. Lee opens up about the challenges he faced being bullied as a child for being different, the courage it took to come out as a young gay man, and his later-in-life diagnosis of ADHD. Through resilience and self-discovery, Lee’s story highlights the importance of embracing who you are, even when the world around you makes it difficult.

Join us for this kōrero full of honesty, insight, and inspiration. Whether you’ve faced bullying, are navigating your identity, or have experience with ADHD, Lee’s journey will resonate on many levels.

If you or someone you know needs tautoko—whether it’s about bullying, coming out, or ADHD—support resources are linked below. Kia kaha, stay strong, and take care of each other.

Host: Monique Rei

Guest: Lee Eklund

Bullying Free NZ

Keep it Real Online

Youth Health Services, Youth helpline Program Centre NZ - Youthline NZ

Gender Minorities Aotearoa

Home - InsideOUT |

RainbowYOUTH (ry.org.nz)

#TinoPaiPodcast #LGBTQStories #ComingOutJourney #ADHDAwareness #BullyingPrevention #Resilience #KiaKaha #MentalHealthMatters #QueerVoices #Tautoko #PodcastLife #Inspiration #Kōrero #SelfDiscovery

Our inaugural guest is Monique Rei, a proud member of the Queer Community of Te Awa Kairangi, with whakapapa to Ngati Toa Rangatira and Ngati Rangi iwi. Monique serves as the kaihautū for Te Ngākau Kahukura o Te Awa Kairangi, based in Te Whare Kahukura in Epuni. In this role, Monique is dedicated to advancing the interests of the Rainbow, Takatāpui, MVPFAFF, and LGBTQ+ communities, striving for their collective improvement and empowerment.

Today’s host Lee Eklund brings 12 years of experience working within the kaupapa Rainbow community, fostering relationships with Rainbow whanau from diverse backgrounds. Through connections with key community leaders and organisations, Lee ensures accessible support and services tailored to Queer individuals/organisations. The 'Tino Pai Podcast' program provides a platform to explore the journeys of Rainbow leaders, celebrating their resilience and contributions to the community.