New Zealand Association of Positive Psychology

Executive Commitee

Annalise Roache (MSc, PCC) - President

Annalise is a positive psychology practitioner, credentialed coach, mentor and wellbeing researcher. Through her business, The Coaching Toolbox Annalise has worked in both personal and workplace settings, with emerging leaders, managers, business owners and individuals. Her motivation is fueled by working with people to support them to live flourishing, happy and impactful lives.

Annalise is one of the lead authors of the Ethical Guidelines for Positive Psychology Practice (2019), the first such guidelines for our field . In 2017 Annalise gained a Master of Science in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology (MAPPCP) from the University of East London). In 2018, she commenced her Doctoral studies at AUT upon receiving a Vice Chancellors Doctoral scholarship, her research explores Lay Theories of Wellbeing in New Zealand Adults. The research is uncovering some interesting similarities and differences to

common wellbeing theory.

For more information about the Ethical Guidelines for Positive Psychology Practice see the special issues of the International Journal of Wellbeing which now includes 11 language translations https://www.internationaljournalofwellbeing.org/index.php/ijow/article/view/921

Melanie Weir - Vice-President

Melanie has worked in the people space for over two decades. As a leader in HR and Organisational Development (OD) her most recent role supports OD at New Zealand’s largest Port, the Port of Tauranga. Working with global and national organisations to develop and deliver the science of Positive Psychology for flourishing people, teams and organisations is what Mel has dedicated her expertise and learning to for the last 20 years.

Previous to the Port Mel was a key part of the Langley Group team, in Senior Consultant, Facilitator, Coach and General Manager roles. Here Mel developed deep experience, knowledge and understanding of the impacts of well curated programmes that support wellbeing science, engagement and performance in work. She continues to work with community groups, organisations, and individuals to support thriving.

Currently working towards PhD, and with a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology, Diploma in Positive Psychology and Wellbeing, and Bachelor of Business Studies majoring in HRM and Marketing, Mel is passionate to see the Association continue to build a strong member base, and enduring partnerships with likeminded professionals.

Eryn Campbell - Treasurer

Eryn is a newly hatched Clinical Psychologist with a passion for introducing positive psychology to the mental health system in Aotearoa New Zealand. She started her journey with the New Zealand Association for Positive Psychology in her third year at university, where she took a Positive Psychology course run by Robert Isler.

Eryn soon realised that positive psychology filled the gap left in clinical psychology – working towards wellbeing instead of against illness. Robert became her supervisor for her Honours and Masters degrees where she investigated the effects of positive emotions on the experience of chronic pain, something she has been living with since 2010.

Eryn helped Robert with the 2018 NZAPP conference, became his teaching assistant at the university, and became the Treasurer for the association shortly after that.

The past seven years she has been subsumed in study, which has culminated in a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology, and it looks like she will be studying for the rest of her career – she just won’t have to hand in those pesky assignments anymore! Eryn currently Live's in Hamilton with her cat, Maya, and plans to stick around for a couple of years while she gets her feet under her.

Ruth Christie - Secretary

Ruth is a leadership coach, consultant and facilitator with a background in organisational development, organisational change and human resources. She is fascinated by what makes us human and studied positive psychology to better understand how we can live fulfilling, happy and healthy lives.

Ruth works with leaders and teams to create solutions to enhance leadership capability and wellbeing, create engaging team cultures, and implement sustainable change.

Ruth applies positive psychology tools and approaches in all her work, along with neuroscience-based coaching methods and embodiment practices. She loves to support and inspire others to create positive impact, and is always learning from her Chief Wellbeing Officer (her golden retriever Sorley).

Annick Janson (PhD) - Executive Committee Member

Annick Janson, PhD is a clinical psychologist, researcher and member of a social movement for families to lean in and guide the current changes in the disability sector. Annick co-developed the evidence-based ‘Now and Next’ award winning and ground-breaking family program rooted in positive psychology. She is passionate about assisting organisations to grow their peer workforce to impact on organisational outcomes, children progress and family wellbeing through empowerment.

Annick is an Associate, Centre for Applied Cross-cultural Research, Victoria University of Wellington. She was the Inaugural Research Director at the NZ Leadership Institute, University of Auckland Business School and the Partners in Learning Research Director, Microsoft NZ. As the recipient of a Gallup International Positive Psychology Fellowship, Annick represented New Zealand on the international leadership research stage. She has authored over 50 peer-reviewed research publications in the field of collective leadership including for UNESCO and the Human Rights Commission

Julie Zaifeh - Executive Committee Member

Julie is a NZ trained, qualified and registered Consultant Clinical Psychologist. Her early and mid career were spent assessing and treating people presenting with mild-moderate mental health symptoms, primarily of depression and anxiety, before then specializing in the field of Psychiatric Consultation- Liaison at the CDHB, Christchurch. Evidence based treatment models were used by Julie to develop individualised management plans for people adjusting to both acute and chronic physical health diagnoses , across many medical specialities . She has also been a Research Fellow for the University of Otago, on clinical trials investigating non-cardiac chest pain, broken heart syndrome, and more recently , the psychological ramifications of the March 15 Christchurch terror attack on our local Muslim community. Journal publications have resulted from this adjunct academic career.

Julie’s professional life took a change in direction in late 2017 when she suffered significant loss in her own life, the deaths of her husband and then eldest son, 2 weeks apart. Part of Julie’s personal recovery has included completing her fourth qualification, this time a Post Graduate Diploma in Positive Psychology ( 2019). Her clinical interest is now also and in the areas of loss, grief, resilience and adaptation to adversity, through education, inspiration and exploring with clients the numerous strategies within the field of Positive Psychology. She authored a book, ‘Grief on the Run,’ published March 2021- exploring the application of the NZ Mental Health Foundation’s 5 Ways to Wellbeing Model to significant adversity.

Julie is interested in being on the Board of the NZAPP primarily to help further spread the word re this ‘newer’ discipline of Positive Psychology, and to assist in whichever way/s can promote the application of this model and it’s numerous strategies. She believes that the combination of academic career and knowledge to date, and then applying Positive Psychology to her own personal adversity, makes her well-positioned to embrace such a role. She is passionate , organised and efficient, and no stranger now, to public speaking. In her downtime Julie is a passionate tramper and cold water ‘dipper,’ proud (young) grandmother, and dog + beach walker/lover.

Christina Kruger - Executive Committee Member

Christina completed a Diploma in Positive Psychology & Wellbeing through the Langley Group Institute in 2023. Originally from South Africa, where she completed a Master’s in Law in 2008 before moving to New Zealand later that year.

Christina is the Operations and Engagement Lead at a specialist immigration law firm in Auckland. Previously, she co-owned a legal recruitment agency for a decade, recruiting legal professionals for law firms of all sizes across New Zealand.

In these roles, Christina noticed the growing acknowledgment of mental health challenges, highlighting the need for actionable strategies. She believes that an individualised and continually evolving approach is crucial for identifying the tools needed to navigate challenging times.

At her core, Christina is a connector and catalyst who prefers to mobilise and inspire others rather than compete, which led her to the opportunity to join the Board hoping to connect others with practitioners in the wellbeing science of positive psychology.

Amanda Davison - Executive Committee Member

Amanda is a Human Resources practitioner with 20 years of experience in diverse settings across New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom, who has seen first-hand how the right workplace strategies can significantly impact both individual well-being and organisational success. Throughout her career, she has worked in various blue-collar industries, including transport, farming, and oil and gas, and specialises in navigating complex people-related challenges with a focus on fostering positive, growth-oriented environments.

Amanda has always had a passion for well-being and creating environments where employees can succeed. However, her passion for Positive Psychology truly ignited two years ago when she began studying for a Diploma in Positive Psychology and Wellbeing through the Langley Group. The content resonated deeply with her, and she has since seen how these techniques help both individuals and organisations flourish and thrive.

Amanda is eager to connect with like-minded people who are passionate about Positive Psychology. She looks forward to supporting the board’s mission of fostering connections within the Positive Psychology community and advancing the science and application of Positive Psychology in Aotearoa.

Tina Berryman-Kamp - Executive Committee Member

Tina is a 1st generation New Zealander who comes from English/Dutch heritage. Having trained at the University of Waikato as a Clinical Psychologist, Tina has worked in varied Corrections and Mental Health settings, including her own Perinatal Mental Health Service - which she established and ran for 15 years under contract to the MInistry of Health. She currently works in private practice, does Mental Health 101 training, and provides advisory and consultancy services, with a continued focus on the mental health and wellbeing of new parents. Tina has an enduring passion for setting the foundations of wellbeing from the very first stages of life, and for community empowerment.

Over the years Tina has become increasingly drawn to Positive Psychology - personally and professionally - moving away from the deficit/problem focused lens of her training and past experience. Her husband and children are of Māori descent, and, as Pākeha, Tina feels a strong commitment to addressing inequity and enhancing the wellbeing of all by drawing on different cultural perspectives and realities. She believes that our world needs to embrace different ways of being as we confront the difficult realities now and in the future and sees that Positive Psychology brings valuable tools and knowledge toward this. She feels excited to be on the Executive Board of NZAPP in promoting greater awareness of Positive Psychology within Aotearoa and beyond.

Tina fosters her own wellbeing by regularly practising gratitude for what she has, taking time out to notice the small things, creating things of colour and texture, and spending time in the beautiful spaces around her.