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Health & Safety

Intersex Aotearoa place the highest priority on the health and safety of all participants.

While this event is not a healing or therapeutic space, we acknowledge that intersex variations are often accompanied by lived experiences of trauma.

With this awareness, we are committed to creating an environment that is respectful, trauma‑aware, and supportive of participant wellbeing.

Clear processes and safeguards are in place to help minimise harm, support personal boundaries, and respond appropriately should challenges arise, as outlined in the plan below.

Health & Safety Plan

The Social Cohesion Wānanga is a two-day national event led by Intersex Aotearoa to strengthen connection, trust, and shared understanding between intersex people, whānau, healthcare workers, academics, and advocates in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

1. Purpose

The purpose of this Health and Safety Plan is to support the physical, emotional, and psychological wellbeing of all participants. The organisers recognise that while this event is not a healing or therapeutic space, intersex variations are often accompanied by experiences of trauma. This plan outlines how risks will be minimised and how participant safety and dignity will be upheld.

2. Guiding Principles

  • Participant wellbeing is central to all event planning and delivery

  • A trauma‑aware and respect‑based approach is applied at all times

  • Personal autonomy, boundaries, and informed choice are respected

  • Harm minimisation takes priority over program continuity

  • Safety concerns are taken seriously and responded to promptly

3. Identified Risks

Potential risks may include:

  • Emotional distress related to sensitive topics or shared experiences

  • Overwhelm or sensory fatigue

  • Interpersonal conflict or boundary violations

  • Physical health incidents (e.g. fainting, dehydration, fatigue)

4. Risk Mitigation Measures

To address these risks, the organisers will:

  • Clearly communicate the nature of the event and content in advance

  • Encourage participants to engage at their own pace

  • Provide quiet, low‑stimulus spaces where possible

  • Set and enforce clear expectations around respectful conduct

  • Allow participants to step out or leave sessions without explanation

5. Wellness Role

A designated Wellness Person will be present for the duration of the event.

Role of the Wellness Person:

  • Act as a visible, approachable point of contact for participant wellbeing concerns

  • Offer non‑clinical emotional support and grounding assistance

  • Support participants experiencing distress to stabilise and identify next steps

  • Maintain confidentiality within reasonable safety limits

  • Escalate concerns to organisers or emergency services if there is risk of harm

The Wellness Person will be a trained therapist, counsellor, or medical professional trained in trauma‑aware support and harm minimisation.

6. Reporting and Response

  • Participants may raise concerns directly with the Wellness Person or an organiser

  • All reports will be handled respectfully and discreetly

  • Immediate safety concerns will be prioritised

  • Appropriate action may include mediation, time‑out, or removal from the event if necessary

7. Emergency Procedures

  • Emergency contact details will be available onsite

  • Organisers will be prepared to contact emergency services if required

  • Participants are encouraged to disclose relevant needs or concerns in advance if they feel safe to do so

Wellbeing Support Role

Job Description 
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Job Title : Wellbeing Support- Social Cohesion Wānanga 

Location: Auckland 

Reports to: Social Cohesion Wānanga Project Lead 

Anticipated Hours: 2 full days (16 hours) plus before and after discussions- Fixed Term Position- Independent Contractor preferred 

 

Role Overview 

The Psychologist / Therapist / Counsellor will support the emotional, psychological, and relational wellbeing of participants engaging in the Social Cohesion Wānanga. The role focuses on supporting our MC in facilitating safe, inclusive, and trauma-informed spaces that strengthen connection, understanding, and collective resilience across a diverse group of people. 

Central to this role is an understanding of medical trauma and community-based healing approaches. 

 

Key Responsibilities 

Wānanga Support  

  • Offer brief therapeutic interventions, emotional regulation strategies, and wellbeing supports appropriate to a group wānanga environment. 

  • Recognise and respond appropriately to trauma responses, vicarious trauma, and distress. 

  • Provide referrals or pathways to additional support where participants require ongoing or specialised care. 

  • Maintain ethical boundaries and confidentiality within a community-based setting. 

Cultural Safety & Social Cohesion 

  • Embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles in practice. 

  • Support understanding and reconciliation across difference, including culture, ethnicity, faith, gender, age, and worldview. 

  • Contribute to strengthening collective resilience 

Programme Development & Collaboration 

  • Provide professional insight on group dynamics, wellbeing risks, and protective factors as required 

Professional & Ethical Responsibilities 

  • Practise within professional, ethical, and legal guidelines relevant to your scope of practice. 

  • Maintain accurate records consistent with privacy legislation and organisational policy. 

 

Key Capabilities & Competencies 

Essential 

  • Recognised qualification in Psychology, Counselling, Psychotherapy, or a related field. 

  • Current registration and practising certificate with a relevant professional body (e.g., NZ Psychologists Board, NZAC, PBANZ, or equivalent). 

  • Experience working with groups and/or community-based programmes. 

  • Strong understanding of trauma-informed practice and psychological safety. 

  • Excellent interpersonal, facilitation, and communication skills. 

  • Knowledge of innate variations in sex characteristics, also called intersex or ira tangata  

  • Commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and culturally safe practice. 

Desirable 

  • Experience working with Intersex, those with innate variations in sex characteristics, or ira tangata 

  • Understanding of social cohesion, conflict resolution, restorative practice, or peace-building. 

  • Experience supporting communities impacted by inequity, discrimination, or historical trauma. 

 

Personal Attributes 

  • Calm, grounded, and emotionally regulated presence. 

  • High situational awareness and sound professional judgement. 

  • Respectful, non-judgemental, and mana-preserving approach. 

  • Able to hold boundaries clearly while remaining compassionate. 

  • Values-based commitment to collective wellbeing and social cohesion. 

 

Additional Information 

  • This role does not provide long-term therapy or clinical treatment. 

  • Engagement is limited to event days, with pre-brief and post-event debrief sessions as required 

  • This role requires professional indemnity insurance to be covered by applicant 

  • Practitioners must be comfortable operating within a community, kaupapa-driven environment rather than a traditional clinical setting. 

  • Payrate to be discussed - please include your rate in your cover letter

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Please send a CV and cover letter to info@intersexaotearoa.org - we will be actively reviewing applications as they come through

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