Andre’s extensive journey in the health arena began in the early 1990s at Tokanui Psychiatric Hospital during the deinstitutionalisation process. He went on to work in Youth Services in Waikato and completed his training as a Certified Addictions Counsellor. He quickly followed this by achieving his Honours and Master's Degrees in Psychology and post-graduate diplomas in addictions at Otago University and Clinical Psychology at Waikato University while simultaneously raising his young whānau with his beautiful wife. Andre completed a PhD focused on Collaborative Service Delivery in Mental Health and Addictions in 2019. Andre continues to practice as a clinical psychologist and does so to maintain integrity and to be of service.
For many years now, Andre has led kaupapa Māori-based workforce development by contributing to the advancement of innovative and dynamic kaupapa Māori-based therapeutic resources. He nurtures rangatahi who chose to enter this field and has maintained an integral role of manaakitanga for emerging addiction practitioners and Māori psychologists completing their undergraduate and clinical training, both informally as a leader in clinical psychology and formally as a lecturer at Wintec.
Andre’s enthusiasm for learning and teaching has allowed him to integrate his knowledge of both kaupapa Māori methods of healing and clinical psychological practice towards developing pioneering methods of engaging with whānau with complex kanorau-ā-io (neurodiversity), mental health and addiction needs.
Andre is a founding member of the Māori Coalition for Te Iho Tātai-ā-Rongo (FASD). He brings his own lived experience of kanorau-ā-io, and as a parent of tamariki with Te Iho Tātai-ā-Rongo, into his practice and presentations. He brings vitality and enthusiasm to his work and demonstrates a high level of intuitive sensitivity when working with whānau.
Andre plays an active role in whānau, hapu and iwi development. He ensures that he and his whānau return to their turangawaewae regularly to participate in and plan whānau, hapu and iwi activities and events. As a result, he has become a critical resource for his whānaunga, and they regularly consult and engage his knowledge and expertise.
Andre generously and freely shares his wealth of knowledge and expertise and does so with a vibrant and radiant humour that captivates and enchants an audience. It has been my absolute pleasure to work alongside him over the years and to watch him grow and flourish in his potential as a leader in our field.
Links:
ResearchGate: Practitioners’ experiences of collaboration, working with and for rural Māori
University of Waikato Article - Where’s your Mauri Tau? 13 May 2022
Te Rau Ora You Tube Video - Dr Andre McLachlan
Te Atawhai o Te Ao-Independent Māori Institute for Environment and Health: Te Roro Wintec Article: A new approach to Māori mental health, 11 April 2018
A Wellbeing Adventure Guided by Atua Māori
Research Gate Profile – Andre Mclachlan
Te Rau Ora Programme -Te Whare o Oro – Neurodevelopment through the matapihi of a whāre tupuna
New Zealand Journal of Psychology Vol. 46, No. 3, November 2017 article : Whai tikanga: The application of a culturally relevant value centred approach
Dr Rebecca Wirihana, Ngā Rauru Kītahi, Ngāti Maniapoto, Tainui, Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Te Aupouri, Clinical Psychologist Te Utuhina Manaakitanga 2018
Updated 31 December 2024
