IMHAANZ is a national charity supporting professionals who work with infants and their families.
The IMHAANZ vision
The IMHAANZ vision is for all infants in Aotearoa to thrive through the experience of secure, nurturing relationships
Our mission is to collaborate, educate and advocate for infant mental health in Aotearoa
THE IMHAANZ LOGO
Our Aotearoa New Zealand context is represented through the koru symbol – which itself represents new life.
Lying at the heart of the dual koru is the infant, surrounded by the warmth and love of the parent(s)/caregivers(s) who are in turn enfolded and supported by the wider community.
The blues and greens represent the sea/moana, the sky/rangi and the earth/whenua which are integral parts of living in New Zealand, both now and in the past.
THE HISTORY OF IMHAANZ
The idea for IMHAANZ began in 1989 but it wasn’t until 2004 that the process for becoming an affiliate of WAIMH – the World Association of Infant Mental Health – began. We were given WAIMH affiliation status in 2006 and IMHAANZ itself was officially launched in 2007.
Want more history? View the timeline of some of IMHAANZ more notable events.
ABOUT OUR PEOPLE
IMHAANZ has two patrons who both have great standing in the area of infant mental health in Aotearoa and abroad. We are run by a National Executive Committee which is made up of a group of dedicated volunteers. Elections for these positions are held every two years.
PATRONS
IMHAANZ is grateful to our Patrons, Elisabeth Muir and Patricia Champion.
Dr Patricia Champion MBE, trained as a Developmental Psychologist, a qualified teacher and speech language therapist. She is the Founder of the Champion Centre, Christchurch and Adjunct Senior Fellow, University of Canterbury.
Mrs Elisabeth Muir worked as a Child and Adult Psychotherapist with infants, young children and families for over thirty years in New Zealand and Canada. Amongst other notable achievements, she initiated and was co-principal investigator in research comparing the infant-led intervention Watch, Wait and Wonder and Selma Fraiberg’s Parent-Infant approach.
TE KOMITI WHAKAHAERE | THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
PRESIDENT | Sarah Haskell | [email protected] |
VICE-PRESIDENT | Marion Doherty | |
SECRETARIES | Alexandra Winlove & Marion Doherty | secretary@[email protected] |
TREASURER | Alison Gray | |
MEMBERSHIP COORDINATORS | Veita Harding & Alison Gray | [email protected] |
EQUITY COORDINATORS | Waikura Kamo & Glenda Albon | [email protected] |
COMMUNICATIONS & ONLINE COORDINATOR | Judy Hunter | [email protected] |
GENERAL EXECUTIVE MEMBERS | Lisa Gear & Liora Noy |
PRESIDENT: Sarah Haskell – [email protected]
VICE-PRESIDENT: Marion Doherty
SECRETARIES: Alexandra Winlove & Marion Doherty – [email protected]
TREASURER: Alison Gray
MEMBERSHIP COORDINATORS: Veita Harding & Alison Gray – [email protected]
EQUITY COORDINATORS: Waikura Kamo & Glenda Albon – [email protected]
COMMUNICATIONS & ONLINE COORDINATOR: Judy Hunter – [email protected]
GENERAL EXECUTIVE MEMBERS: Lisa Gear & Liora Noy