True Colours The Team

Meet the team

On our facilitation and support team is a registered social worker, a registered nurse, a childbirth educator and midwife, and an early childhood teacher.

"We ask when we don’t know, check what we think we know and approach with compassion when we are sure. Our commitment extends not only to our mahi but also to each other. This isn't just a job; it's our passion."

Michelle Hall

Ko Waitakere tōku pae maunga
Ko Waitemata tōku moana
Ko Aerana tōku iwi
Ko Hall tōku whānau
Ko Michelle tōku ingoa

Originally from Tāmaki Makaurau, Tauranga Moana has been my home for 17 years, where I live with my husband, Robert, and daughter.

The journey into motherhood began with a determination to defy medical expectations and have an empowered home birth. However, the initial year as a new mother was marked by extreme stress and isolation, compounded by a lack of support and postnatal preparation. This led to a deep postnatal depression. With support from loved ones, the journey towards recovery and the discovery of my maternal identity commenced. Breaking through societal stigmas and myths surrounding motherhood, I realised that maternal wellbeing thrives within a supportive community, not in insolation. This realisation inspired establishing True Colours - Honouring the Mother to extend this support to others.

I described this mahi as my ‘heart work’ and the past six years of supporting māmā, pēpi, and whānau has inspired my recently completed Master’s research titled Transitioning to parenting – embrace, educate, empower – a pathway to supporting perinatal mental wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand.

I'm excited for the next phase of True Colours - Honouring the Mother, and welcome our new facilitators who will bring their wisdom, empathy, and strength to support and accompany mothers on their journey.

Alice Grainger

Kia ora, ko Alice Grainger tōku ingoa.

I am a compassionate and self-motivated mother and Mental Health and Addiction Nurse. I popped over to New Zealand when I was 18 with my parents from a little island in the Irish sea called the Isle of Man. New Zealand is such a beautiful place and I love Tauranga. I found my professional passion supporting other mothers on their own journey after I became a mother. I have two children under the age of five. It's been a rollercoaster of a journey with little sleep, but it’s one of the most important jobs in the world. No one should feel alone or not supported. Being able to listen, advocate, and support parents on this journey is such an honour.

Ngā mihi nui, Alice

Alice Grainger, RN, PgCert 
Email: alice.grainger.nz@gmail.com 

Choiwee Moon

My name is Choiwee Moon. I have Māori and French heritage, am based in the Bay of Plenty, and Māmā to three beautiful children.

 In 2016, I embarked on a deep journey of self-discovery, which led me to life-changing healing and understanding in the areas of depression, family violence, post-traumatic stress disorder, and mental illness.  

From a burning desire to dive further into my own learning and to support long-term change for others, I founded Mama Chow Holistic Healing in 2020. Here I offer a multitude of 1:1 holistic healing immersion sessions and coaching for individuals and couples. I work deeply to create safe, judgement free spaces where deep trauma healing and transformation can take place.  

Navigating through my own journey of motherhood; having my first baby at 20, being diagnosed with pre and post-natal depression after my second bub, and then becoming a single mother six years ago, has given me inspiration and passion to support other mums. My combination of life experience and passion led to me to True Colours, and I am thrilled to be aligned with such an amazing, supportive space.

Email: mamachowholistichealing@gmail.com

Amanda Hewson

As a practitioner working in the perinatal space for over 16 years, I have supported many women living with anxiety, depression, and psychosis during the antenatal and postnatal period.

True colours is a space to hold and honour the mother. It is a privilege to be a part of this wonderful and sacred service, providing a space for women to gather, share their experience with courage and vulnerability, and through this sharing, find a path to healing and strength.

Bobby-Lea Cassidy

Meet Bobby-Lea, a dedicated mother, and passionate advocate for helping Mums on their matrescence journey. Along with her husband and two school-aged children, she calls Mount Maunganui home, and feels

very lucky to live in paradise. With her children now immersed in their school lives, Bobby-Lea has found a renewed sense of time and energy to work in her community.

Her dedication is most prominently displayed in her work with the Mums 4 Mums team. In her role as the Kaiārahi Matrescence coordinator, she supports new mothers along the transformative path of matrescence, showcasing her passion for supporting families in their time of change. Alongside her commitment to maternal support, Bobby-Lea also contributes to her community’s cultural fabric by working part-time as the front of house at Baycourt Community Theatre.

Bobby-Lea’s belief in the power of community support is evident in her active participation in her children’s primary school PTA, embodying the proverb, "Ma te pa te tamaiti e whakatipu – it takes a village to raise a child". Her commitment reflects the significance of collective support and the powerful impact it can have on the next generation.

Leanne Emery

Tofua te waka
Ko Talau te maunga
Ko Te moana nui ki te moana
Ko vavue te marae
Ko Tonga te hapu
No Finau Taku ingoa Tonga
Ko Leanne au

My Name is Leanne Emery, I am a mother to 4 grown children and Nana to 4 delicious moko.

Over the past 20 years, I have worked in childcare, Tamariki ora and am currently the WBOP SUDI prevention coordinator, where I facilitate Te Piripoho wahakura wānanga for hāpu māmā and their whānau.

I am very passionate about honouring and supporting whānau to be the best parents they can be. Recognising that we are all human, nobody is perfect and being okay to ask or accept help when needed.

I love to support whānau in a nonjudgmental, supportive environment where they feel comfortable, embraced, and welcomed.