Rooted in Kōwhai: Growing Wellbeing from the Inside Out

The kōwhai tree, with its deep roots and vibrant yellow blooms, is a symbol of resilience, growth, and renewal. At Kōwhai Wellbeing Group, it’s more than a name, it’s a reflection of who we are and how we work.

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Our story began with a simple but powerful belief: that wellbeing isn’t a luxury, it’s a foundation. As counsellors and consultants working across therapeutic and corporate spaces, we saw the gap between intention and impact. Workplaces wanted to support their people, but lacked the tools, language, and systems to do it well.

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Sam Dudek, co-founder, grew up as an army brat, living the nomadic life across Germany and Northern Ireland in the 80s and 90s with the British Army. That experience shaped a deep understanding of how workplace culture ripples into family life and personal wellbeing. Steph O’Brien, born and bred in Wellington, witnessed the power of a psychologically safe team firsthand, after being the first responder to a life-threatening emergency in the workplace. The support system around her turned what could have been a traumatic experience into one of resilience and recovery.

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So we created Kōwhai Wellbeing Group a place where evidence-based practice meets real-world application. From assessments and training to strategic support and care, we help organisations across Aotearoa build cultures of psychosocial safety, resilience, and growth. Every service we offer is designed to be practical, brain-informed, and tailored to the unique needs of each workplace.

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Like the kōwhai, we believe wellbeing should be visible, vibrant, and deeply rooted. And we’re here to help it flourish.