Manukura | Romy Lee

Ko rangitoto te maunga  

Ko wairau te awa  

Ko 대한민국 (South Korea) te tupuna whenua  

전주李(Jeonju Lee) me 충주韓(Chungju Han) nō toku tipuna 

Ko papa taumata toku whare oranga  

Ko Romy toku ingoa 

Romy is a Mental Health and Addiction all rounder, holding skills in lived experience leadership, clinical practice, sector leadership and service design. She is inspired by the experiences of her communities to do her bit to improve  the systems behind mental wellbeing in Aotearoa.  

Romy’s expertise has been recognised by a number of organisations, including the Ministry of Health and World Health Organisation. She also works as an expert advisor to agencies such as NZ Herald, TVNZ, Three and Youthline.  

In her day job, Romy heads the lived experience portfolio at Asian Family Services where she leads Kia Ora Ake, a first of it’s kind peer led, clinically informed primary mental health service. She is also a Board Member of dapaanz, Aotearoa’s addiction practitioners association. 

• Can you tell us about the mahi you’re leading and the impact you’re seeing in your community? 

Asian Family Services’ Kia Ora Ake service began as an aspirational idea for an innovative peer led service that genuinely addresses unique challenges of 1.5 and 2nd generation Asian young people navigating identity, culture, belonging, and the stigma surrounding mental health. The service has grown into a pioneering child and youth primary mental health service in Counties Manukau, one of Aoteaora’s most ethnically diverse and socio-economically challenged areas. We are peer-led, clinically informed, and indigenously grounded, embedding tikanga Māori while centring the lived experiences of Asian communities.  Since launching in February 2025, we have delivered over 2000 sessions through school-based group programmes and one-to-one support to 5-13 year olds. 

• What drew you to this kaupapa, and how has your journey shaped the way you approach this work? 

Growing up in Aotearoa as a child of Asian immigrants, my own experiences of my culture and my place in the world has heavily shaped the practitioner I am today. Many Asian young people have similar experiences in New Zealand. This service puts wisdom and lived experience expertise into a service that supports our next generations to thrive 

• What do you love most about the mahi? 

We take our responsibility as tangata tiriti seriously. The beauty that has come from starting from a blank slate and being able to incorporate the knowledge and taonga from both Te Ao Māori and Asian philosophies and expertise has meant that we have created a truly unique programme that addresses the needs of our tamariki here in Counties Manukau. 

• What are some of the most powerful stories of transformation you’ve witnessed through your work? 

So many!! I’ll be sure to show a selection of the dozens of cards and letters we have received from tamariki thanking us for the support and how we have impacted their lives 

• What have the challenges been? 

Doing things that haven’t been done before is always challenging because there is no precedent to work off.  As Asian people in Aotearoa, historically our position in society has been one that has been fraught – based off racism, xenophobia and exclusion. We are working towards a future where our people are not only characterised by stereotypes and sweeping brushes but true connection and wellbeing.