Provide free, evidence-based wellbeing and resilience support to young people
Our Story
In 2018, our team at the University of Auckland embarked on a mission to enhance the mental wellbeing of rangatahi. We aimed to create accessible tools by drawing on our background in wellbeing interventions. That year, we blended positive psychology with chatbot technology to bring to life Headstrong.
We understood that young people sometimes hesitate to seek help, so we set out to create a space where they felt heard and cared for. We also wanted to offer a secure digital platform for seeking help, all while embracing our unique Kiwi culture and values.
The result? Headstrong, a suite of chatbot courses supporting rangatahi, promoting healthy habits, and teaching evidence-based strategies for managing stress, resolving conflicts, and tackling tough emotions.
And we don't stop there! We're committed to constant improvement, regularly adapting to changing user preferences and evolving technology to ensure we remain a valuable resource for all rangatahi.
Our Values
How we do things is just as important as what we do. In our mission to offer free, evidence-based wellbeing support to young people, we are guided by these core values:
We Care
We aim to create a supportive digital space that resonates with young people and makes them feel valued, heard, and genuinely cared for.
We Empower
By providing youths with knowledge and practical tools, we hope to empower them to confidently manage life’s challenges, build their self-esteem, and strengthen their resilience.
We take Responsibility
We are committed to cultural responsiveness and inclusivity. We hold ourselves responsible for ensuring that our content is evidence-based and ethically sound, while serving all young people in Aotearoa.
Research and Leadership Team
Developed with rangatahi & digital experts at the University of Auckland. The content draws on culturally responsive and evidence-based strategies.
Pioneer of Headstrong (from its inception to its current form), Karolina is an expert in developing, testing, and implementing digital wellbeing tools, including SPARX. Her vision drives Headstrong's evolution
Dr Karolina Stasiak
Project Lead & Senior Lecturer
Dr Tania Cargo
Māori Lead & Clinical Psychologist
Tania draws on her clinical psychology expertise in leading the development of Kia Haumanu. She ensures that Headstrong aligns with Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and fosters inclusive and effective Māori partnerships.
Ngāti Manu, Ngāti Maru, Ngāpuhi
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Dr Annie Jones
Project Manager & Research Fellow
Annie manages Headstrong's daily operations, supporting the team to continue developing content and enhancing the user experience. Annie has expertise in Health Psychology and delivering digital interventions to support wellbeing.
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Dr Bradley Patten
Research Fellow - Data and Analytics
Bradley helps analyse information that addresses ongoing and one-off questions about our app. His past experience in data focussed roles and his PhD in psychology help with this. His baking is ok too.
Dr Holly Dixon
Project Manager & Research Fellow
Holly manages Headstrong's daily operations, focusing on content and user experience. Her health and social psychology expertise aid in analysing user behaviour.
Parental Leave till June 2025
Sarah Bodmer
Research Assistant, Communications Advisor, & Content Developer
Sarah leads our in-house communications and social media campaigns and helps ensure engaging content. She is a postgraduate student focusing on communication technologies and public health.
Annie Kang
Research Assistant & Content Developer
Annie draws on her expertise in public health and health ethics to help shape our youth-centric content and coherent user experiences.
Natalie has been awarded a Summer Research Scholarship and co-leads research into chatbot conversationality. She is completing a degree in psychology and public health.
Natalie Poša
Research Assistant
Kiani Stevenson
Research Assistant & Content Developer
Kiani, a Clinical Psychology Doctorate student focusing on indigenous wellbeing, helps align our work with Te Tiriti o Waitangi and contributes to Kia Haumanu's development.
Puna Whakaata Maniapoto-Love
Research Assistant & Content Developer
Puna, a Law student and Māori Students Association President, brings a te ao Māori perspective to current kaupapa and contributes to the development of Kia Haumanu.
Ngāti Konohi,Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngā Paerangi, Tūhourangi, Ngāti Pikiao
Jonathan Lim
Research Assistant & Tester
Jonathan enhances user experience through his systems thinking and business knowledge.
Kaumātua Sonny Niha
Kaumatua & Māori Cultural Advisor
As Kaumātua Kai Tautoko, Sonny ensures Te Tiriti o Waitangi's principles are upheld and offers cultural guidance to our team.
Ngāti Hine
Software Development Team
Chester Holt-Quick
CTO and Software Engineer at Kekeno Tech
Luke Polson
Software Engineer at Kekeno Tech
Design Team
Jodie Kennedy
Co-Founder & Head of Design at Edition Studio | Ngāti Maniapoto
Scott Kennedy
Co-Founder & UX Director at Edition Studio
Eden Pilbrow
Digital Product Designer at Edition Studio
Maddy Newland
Operations & Delivery Lead at Edition Studio
A special thanks to
Sarah Hetrick
Matt Shepherd
Supported by
Te Whatu Ora
We are proudly supported by Te Whatu Ora. With their help, Headstrong is free for all young people in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The University of Auckland
Headstrong began and continues to thrive at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. Their support is key to our work in supporting the wellbeing of rangatahi.
Don’t just take our word for it
"One of the best apps I've used... Amazing and I didn’t feel embarrassed or shy I just said exactly what I was thinking"
Anonymous, aged 15 years
"So far I think it’s a great tool for young people and older people alike to learn to manage their own emotions and sometimes learn to step away from social media for a while"
iOS App store user
"I liked the gratitude journal...when you get reminded that there are good things, it kind of makes life seem like it’s not as hopeless...like there are things to hope for, there are things to look forward to"
Male, aged 22 years
Thanks to our backers for their support
In the Press
Get the app for free today!
Headstrong is a free mobile and desktop app designed to empower rangatahi and enhance their mental wellbeing.
Don't have a compatible device? No worries! You can use our web app instead.
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