School of Psychology staff

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Associate Professor Simon Bennett staff profile picture

Contact details +6449793609

Associate Professor Simon Bennett

Kaimatai Hinengaro Matua: Clinical Psychologist

School of Psychology

Research Expertise

Research Interests

Māori mental health

Bicultural issues in Clinical Psychology

Thematics

Health and Well-being

Area of Expertise

Field of research codes
Health, Clinical and Counselling Psychology (170106): Kaupapa Maori Psychology (170108): Psychology (170100): Psychology And Cognitive Sciences (170000)

Research Projects

Completed Projects

Project Title: Cognitive behaviour therapy for depression with Maori tangata whaiora - Clinical Research Training Fellowship - Simon Bennett

Date Range: 2006 - 2009

Funding Body: Health Research Council of New Zealand

Project Team:

Research Outputs

Journal

Brittain, E., Bennett, ST., & Valentine, H. (2025). Wairua, identity, and belonging: Centring Māori narratives to seek restoration and wellbeing. New Zealand Journal of Psychology. 54(1), 5-17
[Journal article]Authored by: Bennett, S., Brittain, E., Valentine, H.
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Kaniasty, K., de Terte, I., Guilaran, J., & Bennett, S. (2020). A scoping review of post-disaster social support investigations conducted after disasters that struck the Australia and Oceania continent. Disasters. 44(2), 336-366
[Journal article]Authored by: Bennett, S., de Terte, I.
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Scarf, D., Waitoki, W., Chan, J., Britt, E., Nikora, LW., Neha, T., . . . Abbott, M. (2019). Holding a mirror to society? Sociodemographic diversity within clinical psychology training programmes across aotearoa. New Zealand Medical Journal. 132(1495), 79-81
[Journal article]Authored by: Bennett, S.
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Chalmers, C., Leathem, J., Bennett, S., McNaughton, H., & Mahawish, K. (2019). The efficacy of problem solving therapy to reduce post stroke emotional distress in younger (18–65) stroke survivors. Disability and Rehabilitation. 41(7), 753-762
[Journal article]Authored by: Bennett, S.
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Bennett, ST., & Liu, JH. (2018). Historical trajectories for reclaiming an indigenous identity in mental health interventions for Aotearoa/New Zealand—Māori values, biculturalism, and multiculturalism. International Journal of Intercultural Relations. 62, 93-102
[Journal article]Authored by: Bennett, S.
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Pitama, SG., Bennett, ST., Waitoki, W., Haitana, TN., Valentine, H., Pahina, J., . . . McLachlan, A. (2017). A proposed hauora Māori clinical guide for psychologists: Using the hui process and meihana model in clinical assessment and formulation. New Zealand Journal of Psychology. 46(3), 7-19 Retrieved from http://www.psychology.org.nz/
[Journal article]Authored by: Bennett, S., Pahina, J., Tassell-Matamua, N., Valentine, H.
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Pitama, SG., Bennett, ST., Waitoki, W., Haitana, TN., Valentine, H., Pahina, J., . . . McLachlan, A. (2017). A proposed Hauora Māori clinical guide for psychologists: Using the Hui Process and Meihana Model in clinical assessment and formulation. New Zealand Journal of Psychology. 46(3), 7-19
[Journal article]Authored by: Bennett, S., Pahina, J., Tassell-Matamua, N., Taylor, J., Valentine, H.
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Tassell-Matamua, N., Lindsay, N., Bennett, S., Valentine, H., & Pahina, J. (2017). Does Learning About Near-Death Experiences Promote Psycho-Spiritual Benefits in Those Who Have Not Had a Near-Death Experience?. Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health. 19(2), 95-115
[Journal article]Authored by: Bennett, S., Lindsay, N., Pahina, J., Tassell-Matamua, N., Valentine, H.
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Bennett, ST., Flett, RA., & Babbage, DR. (2016). Considerations for culturally responsive Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Māori with depression. Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology. 10(e8), 1-11 Retrieved from https://www.cambridge.org/core
[Journal article]Authored by: Bennett, S.
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5
Bennett, ST., Flett, RA., & Babbage, DR. (2014). Culturally adapted cognitive behaviour therapy for Māori with major depression. Cognitive Behaviour Therapist. 7
[Journal article]Authored by: Bennett, S.
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Bennett, ST., & Babbage, DR. (2014). Cultural adaptation of CBT for aboriginal Australians. Australian Psychologist. 49(1), 19-21
[Journal article]Authored by: Bennett, S.
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Bennett, STM., & Flett, RA. (2001). Te Hua O te Ao Maori. He Pukenga Korero. 6(2), 29-34
[Journal article]Authored by: Bennett, S.

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Book

Bennett, STM. (2018). Transforming psychological services for Māori. In TK. Kingi (Ed.) Maea te Toi Ora: Māori Health Transformations. (pp. 193 - 223). : Huia Publishers
[Chapter]Authored by: Bennett, S.
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Bennett, STM. (2016). Ngā Rākau a te Pākehā: Matiu's story. In W. Waitoki, & M. Levy (Eds.) Te Manu Kai i te Mātauranga: Indigenous Psychology in Aotearoa/New Zealand. (pp. 125 - 140). Hamilton, NZ: The New Zealand Psychological Society
[Chapter]Authored by: Bennett, S.

Conference

Gammon, RA., Preston, K., & Bennett, STM. (2015, July). Measurements of Change in Wraparound Programs. Presented at 19th Conference of the Australasian Human Development Association
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Bennett, S.
Bennett, STM. (2015, July). Culturally responsive cognitive behavioral therapy: Adaptation and Beyond. Presented at International Association for Cross Cultural Psychology Conference. San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico,.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Bennett, S.
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Bennett, STM. (2015, October). Finding our Voice - Indigenous Aspirations in Clinical Psychology. Presented at INIHKD / Manitoba NEAHR 2014. Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Bennett, S.
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Bennett, STM., & Banks, CM. (2014, April). The next frontier for the Scientist Practitioner in Aotearoa: Adaptation and Beyond. Presented at ACPA and NZCCP joint CONFERENCE 2014. Christchurch, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Bennett, S.
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Teaching and Supervision

Contact Supervisor

Summary of Doctoral Supervision

Position Current Completed
Main Supervisor 3 5
Co-supervisor 5 13

Current Doctoral Supervision

Main Supervisor of:

  • Hermione Mathews-John - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Taonga tuku iho: The kohatu effect.
  • Amy Merry - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Haere ki te huri – Journey to change: An examination of desistance from harmful sexual behaviour and the healing journey of Māori tāne
  • Luyu Qiu - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Chinese in Aotearoa and Their Attitudes Towards and Experiences of Talking Therapies/Mental Health in Aotearoa

Co-supervisor of:

  • Kaitlyn Wigg - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Cross-Cultural Assertiveness Interventions in Aotearoa New Zealand- A Mixed-Methods Exploration
  • Makayla Parata - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Investigating the relationship between frailty and social networks and relationships in older Māori
  • Laura Fisher - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Exploring the practices of non-Māori clinical psychologists in their work with whaiora Māori
  • Segina Te Ahuahu - Doctor of Philosophy
    Kimihia he ara whakahaumanu: seeking wellbeing - incorporating Kaupapa Maori approaches in the delivery of Residential Addiction Services.
  • Kiri MacDonald-Nepe Apatu Nepe Apatu - Doctor of Philosophy
    Exploring psychological healing and transformation at the interface between Māori lore and modern physics: A transcendental psychology

Completed Doctoral Supervision

Main Supervisor of:

  • 2024 - Emma Reynolds - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Longitudinal Outcomes of Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy on Gender Incongruence and Psychosocial Wellbeing: A Mixed Methods Study
  • 2022 - Eleanor Brittain - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Ko wai, ko wairua: Narratives of wairua and wellbeing
  • 2020 - Amelia Backhouse-Smith - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    MĀ TŌ TĀTOU WHANAUNGATANGA E WHAKATAKI I TE RITENGA TIKA Māori Mental Health Service Engagement – A Narrative Woven by Tangata Whaiora, Whānau Member
  • 2018 - Rachel Cotter - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Application in a Real-World Alcohol and Other Drug Community Setting
  • 2018 - Pixie Armstrong-Barrington - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Treatment Barriers for Maori with Social Anxiety: A Maori Perspective

Co-supervisor of:

  • 2025 - Hannah Marshall - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Traumatic Brain Injury and Substance Use Disorder in Aotearoa New Zealand: Characteristics, Correlates, and the Role of Social Cognition in an Inpatie
  • 2025 - Jessie Dennis - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Bridging the gap between social justice theory and practice: Addressing sociopolitical context in trauma therapy with survivors.
  • 2025 - Kathleen Armstrong - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    The Development of a Psychosocial Intervention that Supports Siblings of Children and Adolescents with Serious Chronic Health Conditions in Aotearoa New Zealand
  • 2023 - Caitlin Helme - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Narratives of Embedded Oppression and the Covid-19 Pandemic Response: Voices from Marginalised Sexual Violence Survivors in Aotearoa New Zealand
  • 2023 - Joanne Chapman - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Mapping the IFOF with a New Test of Semantic Association
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  • 2023 - Angus Elkington - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    The Effectiveness of a Guided Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Programme with Adult Māori Experiencing Low Mood in a Community-Based Setting
  • 2022 - Amber McAllister - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    The whanau experience of suicide loss: what contributes to resilience and wellbeing
  • 2022 - Jasmine Gillespie-Gray - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    power, partnership and pussy: women’s experiences of sex and consent in abusive relationships
  • 2020 - Madeleine Haerewa - Doctor of Philosophy
    Getting Insight into the Wellbeing Needs of Māori youth: Perspectives of Students Attending Alternative Education
  • 2019 - Samuel Lindsay - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    'No Longer Bulletproof' Older NZ Men Discuss Aging and Masculinity
  • 2018 - Charlotte Chalmers - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    Stroke in Younger Survivors: An Investigation into Their Experiences and the Impact of Problem Solving Therapy on Post Stroke Depression, Anxiety, Quality of Life and Problem Solving Abilities
  • 2017 - Tamara Bejakovich - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    "Presumed straight until demonstrated otherwise": The relationships between sexual identity, heteronormativity, sexual identity development and psychological well-being
  • 2015 - Arna Mitchell - Doctor of Clinical Psychology
    E kore au e ngaro, he kakano ahau: Whakapapa sharing in the context of therapy

Professor Emeritus
Prof Ian M Evans

Honorary Teaching and Research Fellow
Dr Ross Flett

Honorary Research Fellow
Dr Amanda Young-Hauser

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Last updated on Tuesday 15 July 2025