Srividya Iyer in Aotearoa New Zealand for the 2026 CAHRE Conference

On September 8 and 9, Srividya Iyer travelled to Aotearoa New Zealand, where she was invited to present at the 2026 CAHRE Conference and at the University of Auckland.

During her visit, Srividya had the opportunity to meet with young people, PhD trainees, researchers, community organizations, service providers and policymakers working to improve health equity, including youth mental health.

She expressed her gratitude to Youthline and to Roshini Peiris-John for their kind words about her presentation and for the invitation and exceptional hospitality during her visit.

Srividya also thanked the many people who generously shared their time, work and ideas with her, and who took the time to meet with her and attend her presentations.

Among those she met were Analosa Veukiso-Ulugia, Associate Professor Pat Bullen, Celesti Tan, Esther Yao, Gaayathri Nair, Lovely Dizon, Melody Smith, Michael Lu, Nikki Singh, Rachel Simon-Kumar, Rodrigo Ramalho, Sarah-Jane Paine, Sarah H., Shanthi Ameratunga, Terryann Clark, Terry Fleming, Vartika Sharma and Warwick Bagg.

Connecting with organizations and leaders in youth mental health

During her stay, Srividya was also honoured to meet MP Kahurangi Carter, who chairs the parliamentary Cross-Party Mental Health and Addictions Wellbeing Group and is committed to advocating for mental health and mental health equity.

She also had the opportunity to learn about the work of Youthline, which reaches growing numbers of young people, and to meet Vanisri Mills, who directs Diversity Counselling New Zealand, an organization addressing an important need in the community.

Learning from Māori colleagues and communities

A particularly meaningful part of Srividya’s visit was the opportunity to spend time in Aotearoa New Zealand and learn from Māori colleagues and communities about the histories, resilience and knowledge that continue to shape health and wellbeing.

She also learned about the important work being led to advance health and mental health equity and wellness.

"I leave Aotearoa feeling deeply grateful for the conversations, connections and learning, and very much hope this is the beginning of continued collaboration and friendship. I would love to return.” Srividya

Her visit to Aotearoa New Zealand offered an opportunity for meaningful conversations, connections and learning across communities, research, services and policy.