About us | A-OKNZ

Act of Kindness that build life-supporting communities

A-OK.NZ is a NZ provider of quality, internationally recognised training that equips people to be able to have life-supporting conversations. Our frameworks are tested and have been proven to work in preventing suicide. These frameworks are proven to help support people even if suicide is not a concern.

We offer a range workshops to meet your organisational training needs.

Life-supporting conversations support people, that we intuitively sense are in need of support, help, or just need someone to listen. Most people want to help and most people, in hard times, want some kind of support to help them figure out what they need.

We believe anyone can have life-supporting conversations.

We believe in working together. A-OK NZ works inter connectedly locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. A-OK NZ needs the support of local communities to partner in finding the best solutions for your community.

Developing community-led solutions to build life-supporting communities is a priority outcome for A-OK NZ.

We believe that life-supporting conversations will anchor community-led solutions that will build life-supporting communities.

A-OK NZ facilitations bring a cultural and NZ context to the training along with 10+ years of training / practical experience.

Meet the team

A-OKTEAM / FACILITATORS

Buy an A-OK cup

Workplace Support

Community-led solutions

Professional Development

Online Training

Caroline Westerlund

A-OK CEO
Safetalk Trainer
ASIST Trainer
Suicide2HOPE Trainer
Suicide First Aid Trainer
CHECKMATE Trainer
Hope Heroes Trainer
Caroline has been in training and develop for 20+ years. Delivering workshops in the Health and Disability sector, corporate sector and suicide prevention in She also founded 1 degree workshops, a company that develops and delivers training in schools, communities, prisons, tertiary sector. She is also a co-owner of MADD Messenger Stage Plays.

Joshua Walmsley

Cultural Support
Te Reo Trainer
ASIST Trainer
Suicide First Aid Trainer
Checkmate Trainer

Joshua hold an MBA , Bachelor of Drug Studies, Diploma in Social Service/Counselling
Joshua has worked as a Team Leader in the Methamphetamine Rehabilitation and residential for Raukura Hauora O Tainui. He currently holds a similar position at the Salvation Army running their rehabilitation and residential services at a national level.

Julian Reweti - AOK Facilitator

Cultural Advisor
ASIST Trainer
Suicide First Aid Trainer
Checkmate Trainer
Te Reo Speaking
Kaitakawaenga/Student Advisor (Pastoral Assistance/Access & Equity) at NorthTec
Julian provides academic support for students, general pastoral assistance and has a focus on cultural support for Māori/Pasifika students.

Gary Clifford

A-OK Advisor
Safetalk Trainer
ASIST Trainer
ASIST Coach
ASIST Consultant
Gary’s professional career is in Marketing Management in Paper and packaging industries ( including International awards). He has held senior management consulting roles in UK and NZ (‘Big Five’ Firm) in various sectors. He has also held senior positions with the airline industry.
Gary has led NZ Gambling Helpline to a world leading position
Gary has also volunteered 25 years with Samaritans UK and Lifeline.

Petia Wilson

Facilitator:
Safetalk
ASIST
Suicide First Aid
CHECKMATE
Samoan Speaking

Also known as the MADD messenger. He uses Music, Art. Drama and Dance to bring his inspirational messages to life. An international speaker, Petia travels the world with his passion to INSPIRE people to be all they can be. Petia brings a very dynamic, creativite component to the A-OK team. Prior to his MADD messenger life, he was an alcohol and drug clinician for CADS and avid youth mentor for the NZ Police.

Nettie Cullen - Advisor / Trainer

AOK Advisor
ASIST Trainer
Suicide2HOPE Trainer
Psychologist with 20 years experience in the area of crisis intervention and clinical psychology and psychotherapy. Her clinical experience spans community mental health, not-for-profit agencies, and private practice and includes providing supervision for psychologists, counsellors, social workers and community support agencies. Lectures at tertiary institutions and counselor training programs and is part of Injury Prevention Strategy.

Kayte Godward

Facilitator
Safetalk
ASIST
Suicide First Aid
Previously the Community Relationships and Suicide Prevention Manager for Lifeline.
Kayte also trains:
Charles Rapp-Strengths Model, Mary Ellen Copeland - WRAP Plan; Challenging Behaviours, Communication, Stress and Wellbeing, Family Violence, Te Tiriti.
Kayte's a strong advocate for people with lived experience of mental health issues.
In addition, Kayte is also an international award winning actress, a writer and a film maker.

Pule Siva

A-OK.NZ Co-ordinator

Caroline Westerlund

A-OK CEO
Safetalk Trainer
ASIST Trainer
Suicide2HOPE Trainer
Suicide First Aid Trainer
CHECKMATE Trainer
Hope Heroes Trainer
Caroline has been in training and develop for 20+ years. Delivering workshops in the Health and Disability sector, corporate sector and suicide prevention in She also founded 1 degree workshops, a company that develops and delivers training in schools, communities, prisons, tertiary sector. She is also a co-owner of MADD Messenger Stage Plays.

Joshua Walmsley

Cultural Support
Te Reo Trainer
ASIST Trainer
Suicide First Aid Trainer
Checkmate Trainer

Joshua hold an MBA , Bachelor of Drug Studies, Diploma in Social Service/Counselling
Joshua has worked as a Team Leader in the Methamphetamine Rehabilitation and residential for Raukura Hauora O Tainui. He currently holds a similar position at the Salvation Army running their rehabilitation and residential services at a national level.

Julian Reweti - AOK Facilitator

Cultural Advisor
ASIST Trainer
Suicide First Aid Trainer
Checkmate Trainer
Te Reo Speaking
Kaitakawaenga/Student Advisor (Pastoral Assistance/Access & Equity) at NorthTec
Julian provides academic support for students, general pastoral assistance and has a focus on cultural support for Māori/Pasifika students.

Gary Clifford

A-OK Advisor
Safetalk Trainer
ASIST Trainer
ASIST Coach
ASIST Consultant
Gary’s professional career is in Marketing Management in Paper and packaging industries ( including International awards). He has held senior management consulting roles in UK and NZ (‘Big Five’ Firm) in various sectors. He has also held senior positions with the airline industry.
Gary has led NZ Gambling Helpline to a world leading position
Gary has also volunteered 25 years with Samaritans UK and Lifeline.

Petia Wilson

Facilitator:
Safetalk
ASIST
Suicide First Aid
CHECKMATE
Samoan Speaking

Also known as the MADD messenger. He uses Music, Art. Drama and Dance to bring his inspirational messages to life. An international speaker, Petia travels the world with his passion to INSPIRE people to be all they can be. Petia brings a very dynamic, creativite component to the A-OK team. Prior to his MADD messenger life, he was an alcohol and drug clinician for CADS and avid youth mentor for the NZ Police.

Nettie Cullen - Advisor / Trainer

AOK Advisor
ASIST Trainer
Suicide2HOPE Trainer
Psychologist with 20 years experience in the area of crisis intervention and clinical psychology and psychotherapy. Her clinical experience spans community mental health, not-for-profit agencies, and private practice and includes providing supervision for psychologists, counsellors, social workers and community support agencies. Lectures at tertiary institutions and counselor training programs and is part of Injury Prevention Strategy.

Kayte Godward

Facilitator
Safetalk
ASIST
Suicide First Aid
Previously the Community Relationships and Suicide Prevention Manager for Lifeline.
Kayte also trains:
Charles Rapp-Strengths Model, Mary Ellen Copeland - WRAP Plan; Challenging Behaviours, Communication, Stress and Wellbeing, Family Violence, Te Tiriti.
Kayte's a strong advocate for people with lived experience of mental health issues.
In addition, Kayte is also an international award winning actress, a writer and a film maker.

Pule Siva

A-OK.NZ Co-ordinator