Recordings
All Symposium sessions (except the Networking & Celebration Evening) will be recorded and made available to all attendees (both in-person and online) via the ASLM website within two weeks of the event.
Be part of an interdisciplinary society of doctors, allied health practitioners, public health professionals, health executives, educators and researchers advancing Lifestyle Medicine
Mental Health and Wellbeing Through Lifestyle Medicine
Auckland Symposium Program
Saturday 13 September 2025 | 9:15am – 5:25pm NZST
The University of Auckland, Building 201, 10 Symonds Street, Level 4, Lecture Room 440, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Join us in Auckland for a transformative one-day symposium, Mental Health and Wellbeing Through Lifestyle Medicine. Hear from expert presenters as they share practical strategies to reduce mental health disparities and build resilience through innovative, community-focused programs.
You are visiting the 2025 Lifestyle Medicine Roadshow – Auckland Event Program Page. Visit the Main Roadshow Event Page.
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Access the Recordings
Attended the Auckland Symposium? Access your recordings here:
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Missed the Symposium but want to catch up? Purchase access here:
Networking & Celebration Evening
Saturday 13 September 2025 | 5:30pm – 7:30pm NZST
The University of Auckland, Building 201, 10 Symonds Street, Level 4, Foyer 499 (near Lecture Room 440), Auckland Central, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Join us for an evening of connection, inspiration and celebration with colleagues, friends, and peers from across the Lifestyle Medicine community. This relaxed networking event is the perfect opportunity to share ideas, spark collaborations, and enjoy good company after a full day at the Symposium.
The evening will also feature special moments recognising our community’s achievements, including the Fellowship Ceremony and ASLM Accreditation in Lifestyle Medicine (AALM) Graduation. Friends and family are warmly welcome to attend and celebrate alongside us.
Please note: Tickets to the Networking & Celebration Evening are not included with Symposium registration and must be purchased separately.
FULL-DAY SYMPOSIUM
Saturday 13 September 2025 | 9:00am – 5:15pm
(Please note program and timings are subject to change.)
8:15am – 9:15am: Symposium Registration Desk Open
- Location: The University of Auckland
- Collect your name tag
9:15am – 9:30am: Welcome and Opening Session
- Welcome to the symposium
- Overview of the symposium themes and agenda
9:30am – 11:00am: Session 1 – Mind Matters: Context, Connections & Clinical Practice
Speakers:
- Ariana Rangi-Sauni
- Dr Sam Manger
- Professor Bruce Arroll
- Interactive Q&A session (15mins)
9.50am – 10.15am Ariana Rangi-Sauni | Ko au te awa, Ko te awa ko au (I am the river, and the river is me)
Drawing on Te Ao Māori perspectives to reexamine mental health as a strength-based journey, deeply interconnected with our environment, whānau, and culture. Through Māori storytelling, waiata, and pūrākau, we connect with the wisdom of our past to inform pathways of healing in an ever-changing world. Grounded in lifestyle medicine, we explore how nutrition, movement, sleep, stress management, and relationships can be understood alongside Māori worldviews to restore balance and resilience. Participants will gain insights into integrating cultural narratives with clinical practice to enhance wellbeing and strengthen outcomes for individuals and communities.
10.15am – 10.35am Dr Sam Manger | Lifestyle Medicine in the management of depression: from guidelines to everyday practice
10.35am – 10.55am Professor Bruce Arroll | Behavioural Activation in action: using narratives to drive mental health recovery
Bruce will talk about his “killer narratives” which help motivate patients to live a more active and vital life. They range from gentle directions to being downright pushy. He will remind the audience that the most effective treatment for mental health issues is behavioural activation.
11:00am-11:30am: Morning Tea and Networking
11:30am – 1:00pm: Session 2 – The Practical Pillars of Lifestyle – Supporting Patient Mental Wellbeing
Speakers:
- Ruth Troughton
- Professor Julia Rucklidge
- Associate Professor Sarah Hetrick & Dr Nicola Ludin
- Interactive Q&A session (15 mins)
11.35am – 11.55am Ruth Troughton | Let’s get real about exercise in mental health
There is growing evidence that physical activity plays a valuable role in both preventing and treating a wide range of mental health conditions. Regular activity has been linked to improvements in physical health, better sleep, and enhanced mood. Yet, many people living with mental health challenges struggle to engage in physical activity despite these known benefits and the availability of diverse options. This session will examine psychological and physical effects of activity, highlight common barriers, and share practical strategies from clinical practice to support greater engagement.
11.55am – 12.15pm Professor Julia Rucklidge | Targeting irritable teens with nutrition: evidence from an RCT of micronutrients versus placebo
12.15pm – 12.35pm Associate Professor Sarah Hetrick & Dr Nicola Ludin | Sleep, the circadian clock and mental health
1:00pm-1:55pm: Lunch Break and Networking
1:55pm – 3:05pm: Session 3 – Addressing Mental Health Disparities Through Lifestyle Programs in the Community
Speakers:
- Dr Matthew Jenkins
- Q & A with Matt (5mins)
- John Lawrence Kereama, Dr Robin Chan and Anne-Marie Midwood-Murray
- Interactive Q&A/ Singing
2.00pm – 2.20pm Dr Matthew Jenkins | Te Hekenga Whaiora: Co-designing for hauora within Early Intervention Services
2.20pm – 2.40pm John Lawrence Kereama, Dr Robin Chan & Anne-Marie Midwood-Murray | Te Mana o te Waiata: Evaluating the Impact of a Workplace Waiata Group on Staff Wellbeing, Team Cohesion, and Cultural Competency in a Rural New Zealand Hospital.
Group singing has been shown to reduce stress, strengthen social connection, and improve wellbeing across diverse populations (1). In Aotearoa New Zealand, waiata—Māori songs and chants—are central to Mātauranga Māori, preserving cultural narratives, language, and identity. Healthcare settings that integrate Indigenous knowledge systems are better positioned to foster trust, connection, and equity.
3:05pm-3:15pm: Stretch Break
3:15pm – 5:20pm: Session 4 – Special Presentation by Dr Ihirangi Heke followed by Panel Discussion – Innovations in Mental Health: What’s Working and What’s Next?
3.20pm – 4.05pm Dr Ihirangi Heke | Walking backwards into the future, using ancestral information for health and wellbeing
Q&A for Dr Heke (10mins)
4.25pm – Panel Discussion with following Speakers:
- Dr Sam Manger
- Professor Julia Rucklidge
- Professor Bruce Arroll
- Dr Ihirangi Heke
- Interactive Q&A session (15 mins)
5:20pm – 5:25pm: Closing Remarks
- Summary of the day’s key takeaways
- Opportunities for ongoing collaboration
5.30pm – 7:30pm: Networking and Celebration of Excellence Event
Please note: Tickets to the Networking & Celebration Evening are not included with Symposium registration and must be purchased separately. Ticket sales are now closed, and unfortunately no tickets will be available at the Symposium.
Join us for an evening of connection, inspiration and celebration with colleagues, friends, and peers from across the Lifestyle Medicine community. This relaxed networking event is the perfect opportunity to share ideas, spark collaborations, and enjoy good company after a full day at the Symposium.
The evening will also feature special moments recognising our community’s achievements, including the Fellowship Ceremony and ASLM Accreditation in Lifestyle Medicine (AALM) Graduation. Friends and family are warmly welcome to attend and celebrate alongside us.
Highlights of the evening include:
- Networking & Refreshments – Connect with fellow attendees and the ASLM team over light refreshments and engaging conversation
- AALM Graduation – Celebrating our newest accredited professionals
- Fellowship Ceremony – Welcoming new Fellows of the Society
- Short Talk from Corey Williams, Partner at SwainWoodham Group
- Guest Speaker – Julian Dean | ‘The Quiet Victory – Inner Centredness Through Meditation After Elite Sport’
- Honorary Fellowship Presentation
- ASLM Award Presentation
Program may be subject to change
Expert Presenters
Professor Bruce Arroll
Professor of General Practice, Doctor of Philosophy, PhD in Epidemiology and Public Health Medicine, works for Coaching for Doctors
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Dr Robin Chan
General Practice Specialist and Rural Hospital Medicine Specialist
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Julian Dean
Former elite professional cyclist turned meditation teacher helping people find balance and clarity
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Dr Ihirangi Heke
Māori Health Leader, Systems Scientist, and Environmental Performance Expert
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Associate Professor Sarah Hetrick
Clinical Psychologist, Principal Clinical Advisor, Suicide Prevention Office at Ministry of Health
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Dr Matthew Jenkins
Senior Research Fellow exploring youth mental health, psychosis, and lifestyle wellbeing
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John Lawrence Kereama
Musician, Navy Veteran & Waiata Leader
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Dr Nicola Ludin
Biologist, Chronobiologist and Neuroscientist, and a Research Fellow in the Department of Psychological Medicine.
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Dr Sam Manger
ASLM Vice President, GP, and Academic Lead for Lifestyle Medicine at James Cook University
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Anne-Marie Midwood-Murray
Māori Cultural Advisor & Educator
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Ariana Rangi-Sauni
Integrated Health Services, Mahitahi Trust
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Professor Julia Rucklidge
Clinical Psychologist and Author researching nutrition’s role in mental health
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Ruth Troughton
Physiotherapist and Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner Specialising in Mental Health
Read bio
Approved CPD Activity
“Mental Health and Wellbeing Through Lifestyle Medicine” Symposium is an RACGP, RNZCGP, ACRRM & AMA CPDHome approved CPD activity. It provides 8.5 hours of Educational Activities (EA) and 2 hours of Reviewing Performance (RP).
The symposium is also approved for 20 points in the ASLM Fellowship program and 6 hrs Attendance CPD towards ASLM Accreditation.
All attendees will receive a certificate of attendance.
With thanks to our event partners
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