Meet the Team
Our team are passionate advocates for perinatal mental health. We are committed to creating a nurturing environment for mothers and providing valuable resources to support them through their unique journeys. Our dedication stems from our own experiences and the desire to make a positive impact on the mental wellbeing of mothers.
Our facilitation and support team includes a registered social worker, a registered nurse, a childbirth educator and midwife, and an early childhood teacher.
"We ask when we don’t know, check what we think we know and approach with compassion when we are sure. Our commitment extends not only to our mahi but also to each other. This isn't just a job; it's our passion."
In Person Group faciliator
Choiwee Moon
My name is Choiwee Moon. I have Māori and French heritage, am based in the Bay of Plenty, and Māmā to three beautiful children.
In 2016, I embarked on a deep journey of self-discovery, which led me to life-changing healing and understanding in the areas of depression, family violence, post-traumatic stress disorder, and mental illness.
From a burning desire to dive further into my own learning and to support long-term change for others, I founded Mama Chow Holistic Healing in 2020. Here I offer a multitude of 1:1 holistic healing immersion sessions and coaching for individuals and couples. I work deeply to create safe, judgement free spaces where deep trauma healing and transformation can take place.
Navigating through my own journey of motherhood; having my first baby at 20, being diagnosed with pre and post-natal depression after my second bub, and then becoming a single mother six years ago, has given me inspiration and passion to support other mums. My combination of life experience and passion led to me to True Colours, and I am thrilled to be aligned with such an amazing, supportive space.
New CEO
Debbie Turbitt
Tēnā koutou katoa, ko Debbie tōku ingoa. I’m māmā to two gorgeous tamariki who are currently entering the wonderful world of adolescence. I’ve been supporting women and families in various capacities for over two decades, beginning as a youth and family worker in Australia after completing my psychology degree at Auckland University. I returned to Aotearoa when my babies were two and four, and went on to work in a holistic wellness clinic, continuing my studies and practice in trauma-informed somatic therapy and Compassionate Inquiry. All alongside and intertwined of course with the rollercoaster ride of motherhood.
After experiencing matrascence in full colour, and the isolation and loneliness of the first 1000 days with little-to-no support, I believe there is no more important mahi than supporting mothers during this physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual journey. Supporting maternal mental health matters! Not only for us māmā, but for our babies and their babies too.
I know from my personal and professional experience, that having a safe space where there is no fear of judgement, where you feel heard and understood by others who have walked a similar path, is deeply healing. And so I am honoured to be a part of True Colours - Honouring the Mother.
Administrator
Bobby-Lea Cassidy
Meet Bobby-Lea, a dedicated mother, and passionate advocate for community engagement. Along with her husband and two school-aged children, she calls Mount Maunganui home, and feels
very lucky to live in paradise.
In her full-time role with Poutiri Trust in the Operations team, Bobby-Lea provides essential behind-the-scenes support for the Trust’s many community projects, helping to strengthen whānau and uplift the wider community. Bobby-Lea has a strong connection with True Colours kaupapa, and thoroughly enjoys working with the team.
Bobby-Lea’s belief in the power of the proverb, "Mā te pā te tamaiti e whakatipu – it takes a village to raise a child." This highlights the importance of community connection and the lasting impact it can have on future generations.
In Person Group faciliator
Leanne Emery
Tofua te waka
Ko Talau te maunga
Ko Te moana nui ki te moana
Ko vavue te marae
Ko Tonga te hapu
No Finau Taku ingoa Tonga
Ko Leanne au
My Name is Leanne Emery, I am a mother to 4 grown children and Nana to 4 delicious moko.
Over the past 20 years, I have worked in childcare, Tamariki ora and am currently the WBOP SUDI prevention coordinator, where I facilitate Te Piripoho wahakura wānanga for hāpu māmā and their whānau.
I am very passionate about honouring and supporting whānau to be the best parents they can be. Recognising that we are all human, nobody is perfect and being okay to ask or accept help when needed.
I love to support whānau in a nonjudgmental, supportive environment where they feel comfortable, embraced, and welcomed.
In Person Group faciliator
Alice Doig
Kia ora, ko Alice Dolin tōku ingoa.
I am a compassionate and self-motivated mother and Mental Health and Addiction Nurse. I popped over to New Zealand when I was 18 with my parents from a little island in the Irish sea called the Isle of Man. New Zealand is such a beautiful place and I love Tauranga. I found my professional passion supporting other mothers on their own journey after I became a mother. I have two children under the age of five. It's been a rollercoaster of a journey with little sleep, but it’s one of the most important jobs in the world. No one should feel alone or not supported. Being able to listen, advocate, and support parents on this journey is such an honour.
Ngā mihi nui, Alice
Alice Grainger, RN, PgCert
Founder + CEO
Michelle Hall
Ko Waitakere tōku pae maunga
Ko Waitemata tōku moana
Ko Aerana tōku iwi
Ko Hall tōku whānau
Ko Michelle tōku ingoa
Originally from Tāmaki Makaurau, Tauranga Moana has been my home for 17 years, where I live with my husband, Robert, and daughter.
The journey into motherhood began with a determination to defy medical expectations and have an empowered home birth. However, the initial year as a new mother was marked by extreme stress and isolation, compounded by a lack of support and postnatal preparation. This led to a deep postnatal depression. With support from loved ones, the journey towards recovery and the discovery of my maternal identity commenced. Breaking through societal stigmas and myths surrounding motherhood, I realised that maternal wellbeing thrives within a supportive community, not in insolation. This realisation inspired establishing True Colours - Honouring the Mother to extend this support to others.
I described this mahi as my ‘heart work’ and the past eight years of supporting māmā, pēpi, and whānau has inspired my recently completed Master’s research titled Transitioning to parenting – embrace, educate, empower – a pathway to supporting perinatal mental wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand.
I'm excited for the next phase of True Colours - Honouring the Mother, as I have stepped back and welcomed the team to deliver services with wisdom, empathy, and strength to support and accompany parents on their journey.