The 2025 edition of Cutting Edge | te toka tū moana took place on 11-12 November in Rotorua.
Almost 1000 addiction sector kaimahi gathered over two days to connect with their peers and hear from 100+ speakers across a mix of plenary and concurrent sessions and workshops.
Over autumn and winter 2026, we will progressively share a selection of presentations from the conference.
Cutting Edge 2025 – Day 1
Keynote presentations
Inaugural Pam Armstrong Memorial Lecture
Jacquii Hessell and Tui Teokotai, Mid North Mental Health and Addictions Service – Ngā Tikanga Piringa o te Tai Tokerau | Journeying together, a culturally responsive addiction model for te Tai Tokerau.
Nā te korowai o te mana motuhake i rarangatia, mō te oranga tonutanga o te ira tangata. Woven beneath the cloak of self-determination, for the enduring wellbeing of the people.
In 2024, we lost a much-loved and highly-respected rangatira in our sector, Pam Armstrong. This memorial keynote lecture has been established in her honour at Cutting Edge to showcase outstanding Māori health leadership and addiction sector innovation grounded in community service as demonstrated by Pam.
The lecture is preceded by an introduction and tributes to Pam Armstrong by Professor Peter Adams, Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland and David Ihimaera (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa), Pou Rautaki, dapaanz.
The keynote lecture starts at 09:50 minutes.
Dr John Dobson Memorial Lecture and Opening Keynote
Dr Glenn Colquhoun – Letters to young people
In 2020 Glenn Colquhoun published a book of poems written to the young people he works with at the Horowhenua Youth Health Service. In this presentation he talks about that project — and the power of creativity and the arts in medicine.
International keynote presentation
Tom Coderre, Recovery Advocate / Addiction Policy Expert
Tom Coderre is a longtime public servant and recovery advocate, previously serving as a Rhode Island State Senator and in leadership roles at SAMHSA, the government agency in the USA responsible for behavioural healthcare. In this presentation he shares his personal journey as well as how recovery has evolved and taken its rightful place in the system of care.
International keynote presentation
Dr Adam Bourne, Building inclusivity by acknowledging community and culture: Alcohol and other drug use in LGBTQ+ communities
This keynote examines issues around substance use by LGBTQ+ communities and highlights how clinicians and service providers can better meet the diverse needs of LGBTQ+ people. It offers concrete strategies for developing and delivering inclusive, safe, and affirming alcohol and other drug services that are responsive to the realities of LGBTQ+ lives.
Concurrent sessions: Days one and two
Over autumn/winter 2026, we will be sharing a slection of concurrent session presentations from CE25.
To view full screen in the recordings below, click on the vimeo V icon – this will open a new tab and you will be able to select full screen.
Please note: Concurrent sessions (i.e. not in plenary) are audio-only with slides, if the presenter used slides. Where there are multiple presentations within a session, we have noted the times for each presentation below.
An hour of viewing is worth 5 CPD points.
Harm reduction in practice (A3)
01:17-13:48
DCM: Understanding homelessness in Wellington and our unique approach to harm reduction and recovery | John Vogenthaler
14:00-25:17
“HOUSIE” as social connection therapy tagata matutua: A Pacific health promotion tool that matters | Efarina Sititi, Taloto Rufo Pupualii
25:34-42:05
Hepatitis C and Te Tai Tokerau: An innovative approach to screening and treatment | Charael Anderson, Dr Geoff Noller
42:18-1:04:37
Te Pā Maru: Reflections and aspirations from Aotearoa’s first managed alcohol programme Empowerment. Transformation. Fullness of life | Chelsea Allan, Jo Ganc, Jasmine Pearce
Peer support and lived experience – new directions and practice development (D3)
0:23-16:08
Ka Rere Te Manu – Kia Mau ki te Kaupapa: Strengthening Peer Role Integrity in Clinical Spaces | Aroha Crosbie, Brody Runga, Rachel Scaife, Denise Black
16:32-32:14
From stigma to strength: Growing the workforce through lived experience | Edith Moore, Zoë Collins
32:27-48:30
Nōku Te Mana – taking back control over my life | Shane Kennard
48:49-1:05:00
Peer Whanaungatanga in an opioid recovery clinical setting | Marc Beecroft, Jasmin Cole, Vinod Kozhissery, Annemarie Turner, Toni Lilley
Supporting rainbow communities: Perspectives and practice from Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia (B4)
03:05-22:27
Pacific youth rainbow – Inspiring cultural identity | Herman Ah Kiong, Annie Kaio
28:34-39:08
Support for LGBTQIA+ at CADS Youth Service | Damian Blake
40:06-52:25
Mana-enhancing services for Takatāpui and Rainbow survivors | Sandra Dickson
53:33-1:08:56
Supporting Rainbow Communities: Perspectives and practice from Australia | Professor Adam Bourne
The history of the addiction recovery movement and mutual aid in the United States
Tom Coderre and Suzy Morrison discuss important issues the peer recovery movement faces in New Zealand, the United States and around the globe.
Kaupapa Māori approaches – Part 1 (B3)
00:40-18:50
Noho Wānanga: Revitalising tikanga through the tuakana/teina dynamic | Lusan Turton, Josh Kemp
18:55-40:43
Whakarauora: Reviving identity through kaupapa Māori” culture as our compass | Rhonda Zielinski-Toki
Kaupapa Māori approaches – Part 2 (D4)
03:02-17:50
The power of whānau: Navigating hauora together | Lucas Netana-Rakete, Billie Jean Bonnar, Chris Mane, Demi McAllister
18:40-43:28
He waka taiora: A kaupapa Māori model of pre- and post-treatment housing and whānau support | Bessina Pehi, Steward Eiao
43:40-1:01:52
Hīkoia Te Whetū, Hīkoia Te Marama (Kaupapa Māori) | Riana Potaka, Nella Peita, Leo Kenny
Rongoa Māori – research and practice1 (D1)
0:00-24:57
Rongoaa Maaori; An indigenous-led, primary model of care | Kohu Tongaawhikau and Te Rukutia Tongaawhikau
24:58-48:55
Beyond treatment: Psychedelic rongoā, mana, and the future of addiction healing | Jor’el McQueen, Dr Tehseen Noorani
50:08-1:07:06
Tū Wairua: Development of a rongoā Māori approach to healing methamphetamine use disorder with psilocybin containing mushrooms. Initial findings from phase 1 clinical trial | Anna-Leigh Hodge, Dr Pat McHugh
1:07:07-1:13:50
Q+A and closing purākau
New directions and reflections on practice – Part 1 (A4)
01:18-16:48
Kia Hiwa Rā: Facing challenges with purpose – Social value and support for Tāngata Whaiora post-corrections | Suzette Jackson, Ingrid Purcell
18:00-31:50
Beyond detox and cognitive remediation: Enhancing the impact of compulsory treatment | David Prentice, Hannah Fay, Dhruvi Patel, Dr Sarah Appleton
32:28-50:55
Detoxification service doctor cover in a rural setting | Rachel Beech
51:17-1:06:36
Continuing care – Insights from four years of working with clients after they graduate from residential rehab and return to the community | William Blakemore (no slides)
1:07:06-1:26:30
Internal family systems for recovery – A return to authentic self | Araluen Clarke, Paul Langdon, Anata McKechnie, Aroha O’Brien
New directions and reflections on practice – Part 2 (C3)
01:45-19:40
The Nīkau practice framework: A focused framework for social work practice with substance use | Dr Anna Nelson
20:57-40:55
Guiding ethical and culturally sustained AI integration in Māori suicide prevention | Dr Alex Barnes, Dr Meiana Gray, Huhana Moselen
41:32-57:19
Hoake – Holistic treatment for severe gambling harm | Amanda Young
57:30-1:16:30
Three Tongan siblings share their experience & innovation using cultural values as mental health professional in NZ & Australia | Paul Ma’u, Tea Ma’u-Tukia, Lavinia Ma’u-Pohivia
Working with tamariki and rangatahi: Current practice and novel approaches (A5)
03:00-12:42
Working with young people with co-existing problems | Jo Claridge
12:43-26:52
Kia Ora Ake: Sowing the seeds of wellbeing in children to prevent future alcohol and drug challenges | Candice Thum, Holley Rahipere
26:59-42:30
Engaging gamers in therapy – The ‘out of office’ experience | Scott Turnbull
42:43-53:56
The real G – Understanding gambling | Monica Leatinuu
54:06-1:09:20
What happens when healing doesn’t start in a clinic or classroom but in the taiao where rangatahi learn to be kaitiaki of their own awa? | Tara Howell, Benjamin Neho
Cutting Edge 2023 and 2022
Keen for more? Watch presentations from 2023 in Kirikiriroa and 2022 in Otāutahi.