HeartSync Training in Ōtautahi & Tāmaki Makaurau 🌟

Over the past few weeks, our teams of carers, youth workers, and staff came together in Christchurch and Auckland for an incredible two-day HeartSync training focused on “Using Play to Address Troubling Behaviour.”

When working with mokopuna in care—many of whom carry deep emotional wounds—challenging behaviours like anxiety, counterwill, aggression, and alpha posturing are common. This training helped us understand these behaviours through a trauma-informed, attachment-based lens inspired by the Neufeld Institute.

💡 The Power of Play

Play isn’t just fun—it’s healing. It melts defences, invites connection, and helps meet the emotional needs of children who may resist relationship and care. Through shared playful experiences, our teams learned how to use play as a bridge to connection and healing.

🧠 What participants said:

✨ “Connection is the cure.”

✨ “The value of play in older children really stood out.”

✨ “I feel confident and excited to use play to engage with mokopuna.”

✨ “This should be compulsory for all carers.”

✨ “Loved learning about emotional defence—so relevant to my role.”

We’re proud to be growing and learning together, strengthening our ability to support our tamariki and rangatahi with compassion, creativity, and care.

🔗 Learn more about HeartSync and their work: https://heartsync.co.nz/