Provide free, evidence-based wellbeing and resilience support to young people
Our Story
In 2018, our team at the University of Auckland embarked on a mission to enhance the mental wellbeing of rangatahi. We aimed to create accessible tools by drawing on our background in wellbeing interventions. That year, we blended positive psychology with chatbot technology to bring to life Headstrong.
We understood that young people sometimes hesitate to seek help, so we set out to create a space where they felt heard and cared for. We also wanted to offer a secure digital platform for seeking help, all while embracing our unique Kiwi culture and values.
The result? Headstrong, an app designed to support rangatahi, promote healthy habits, and teach evidence-based strategies for managing stress, resolving conflicts, and tackling tough emotions.
And we don't stop there! We're committed to constant improvement, regularly adapting to changing user preferences and evolving technology to ensure we remain a valuable resource for all rangatahi.
Our Values
How we do things is just as important as what we do. In our mission to offer free, evidence-based wellbeing support to young people, we are guided by these core values:
We Care
We aim to create a supportive digital space that resonates with young people and makes them feel valued, heard, and genuinely cared for.
We Empower
By providing youths with knowledge and practical tools, we hope to empower them to confidently manage life’s challenges, build their self-esteem, and strengthen their resilience.
We take Responsibility
We are committed to cultural responsiveness and inclusivity. We hold ourselves responsible for ensuring that our content is evidence-based and ethically sound, while serving all young people in Aotearoa.
Research and Leadership Team
Developed with rangatahi & digital experts at the University of Auckland. The content draws on culturally responsive and evidence-based strategies.
Pioneer of Headstrong (from its inception to its current form), Karolina is an expert in developing, testing, and implementing digital wellbeing tools, including SPARX. Her vision drives Headstrong's evolution.
Dr Karolina Stasiak
Project Lead & Associate Professor
Dr Tania Cargo
Māori Lead & Clinical Psychologist
Tania applies her clinical psychology expertise to guide Te Ao Māori content, ensuring Headstrong aligns with Te Tiriti principles and supports strong Māori partnerships.
Ngāti Manu, Ngāti Maru, Ngāpuhi
Dr Naomi Davies
Project Manager & Research Fellow
Naomi is currently involved in management of the Headstrong project as well as a nutritional intervention and stress study. Her research interest is in nutrition and the gut microbiota and how it influences emotional wellbeing and stress.
Dr Holly Dixon
Project Manager & Research Fellow
Holly manages Headstrong's daily operations, focusing on content and user experience. Her health and social psychology expertise aid in analysing user behaviour.
Parental Leave till June 2025
Sarah Bodmer
Brand & Partnerships Lead, Research Assistant
Sarah leads our in-house brand and communications strategy and helps ensure engaging content. Her research expertise focuses on communication technologies and public health.
Annie Kang
Content Developer & Research Assistant
Annie draws on her expertise in public health and health ethics to help shape our youth-centric content and coherent user experiences.
Sasha Finlay
Content Developer & Health Psychologist
Sasha draws on her clinical experience working with adolescents and young adults to develop engaging and youth-centric content.
Natalie is our in-house social media content creator, and supports youth engagement for Headstrong. She is completing her postgraduate studies and co-leads research into chatbot conversationality.
Natalie Poša
Communications Advisor & Research Assistant
Kiani Stevenson
Te Ao Māori Content Developer & Research Assistant
Kiani, a Clinical Psychology Doctorate student focusing on indigenous wellbeing, helps align our work with Te Tiriti o Waitangi and contributes to the Te Ao Māori content development.
Puna Whakaata Maniapoto-Love
Te Ao Māori Content Developer & Research Assistant
Puna, a Law student, brings a te ao Māori perspective to current kaupapa and contributes to the development of Te Ao Māori content.
Ngāti Konohi,Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngā Paerangi, Tūhourangi, Ngāti Pikiao
Jonathan Lim
Tester & Research Assistant
Jonathan enhances user experience through his systems thinking and business knowledge.
Kaumātua Sonny Niha
Kaumatua & Māori Cultural Advisor
As Kaumātua Kai Tautoko, Sonny ensures Te Tiriti o Waitangi's principles are upheld and offers cultural guidance to our team.
Ngāti Hine
Software Development Team
Chester Holt-Quick
CTO and Software Engineer at Kekeno Tech
Luke Polson
Software Engineer at Kekeno Tech
Joshua Morley
Software Engineer at Kekeno Tech
Design Team
Jodie Kennedy
Co-Founder & Head of Design at Edition Group | Ngāti Maniapoto
Scott Kennedy
Co-Founder & UX Director at Edition Group
Grace Thomson
Digital Product Designer at Edition Group
Priyanka Rana
Operations & Delivery Lead at Edition Group
A special thanks to
Sarah Hetrick
Matt Shepherd
Supported by
Te Whatu Ora
We are proudly supported by Te Whatu Ora. With their help, Headstrong is free for all young people in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The University of Auckland
Headstrong began and continues to thrive at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. Their support is key to our work in supporting the wellbeing of rangatahi.
Here's what others are saying
Thanks to our backers for their support
Awards & Recognition
2024 eMHIC Leadership Excellence Award Winner
Winners of the Leadership Excellence Award in Digital Mental Health Implementation for New Zealand 2024
Read more
2023 Indigo Design Gold Award Winner
Gold Winner in Apps for Social Change, Gold Winner in Mobile App, Silver Winner in Digital Tools and Utilities
Read more
In the Press
Get the app for free today!
Headstrong is a free mobile and desktop app designed to empower rangatahi and enhance their mental wellbeing.
Don't have a compatible device? No worries! You can use our web app instead.
