Auckland, New Zealand — Asian Family Services (AFS) marked a significant milestone by hosting the inaugural Flourishing Asian Communities & Workforce Symposium on 13 March 2026. The event brought together more than 200 health professionals, policymakers, researchers, educators, funders, and community leaders from across Aotearoa.

About 200 professionals, practitioners, researchers, community leaders and students gathered at the Flourishing Asian Communities & Workforce Symposium to share knowledge, strengthen connections, and advance mental health and wellbeing for Asian communities across Aotearoa.

The symposium represents an important step forward in collective efforts to enhance Asian wellbeing and demonstrate the power of partnership. Asian Family Services is proud to have initiated a new approach to addressing inequity in responses to gambling harm, in partnership with Mapu Maia and PGF Services, and supported by major PHOs. This is truly remarkable work, and only the beginning of the impact to come as we continue building the knowledge, capability, and skills needed to respond to the ongoing challenges faced in the mental health and addiction space.

 

The event featured a dynamic programme, including keynote presentations from renowned experts, an awards ceremony celebrating excellence across Clinical, Public Health, Youth, Peer Support & Lived Experience, and Research categories, and the official launch of three online e learning modules focused on Gambling Harm and two online e-learning modules focused on Suicide Prevention both for clinicians and community leaders.

These e-learning modules are designed to equip practitioners with culturally relevant knowledge and practical tools to respond to critical issues facing Asian communities, as well as the broader gambling harm experienced across Māori, Pacific, Asian communities, and young people in Aotearoa.

 

Minister for Mental Health, Hon Matt Doocey, addressed attendees, highlighting the importance of improving mental health and addiction outcomes for our Asian community. He spoke about the Government’s mental health plan for faster access to support, more frontline workers, and a better crisis response, acknowledging that community organisations like Asian Family Services play a big role in helping us achieve this.

 

Participants also took part in concurrent workshops focused on strengthening culturally responsive and community-based practice, empowering professionals to deliver more inclusive and effective care. The symposium underscored the vital role of individuals and organisations who champion cultural understanding and sensitivity, while celebrating collective progress towards equity, wellbeing, and more effective responses to gambling harm.

 

“A flourishing Asian community is not just a vision — it is our collective mission,” said Kelly Feng, CEO of Asian Family Services. “We are honoured to bring together passionate professionals who are committed to delivering the best care and driving real change. By equipping practitioners and community leaders with culturally grounded skills and knowledge, we empower our communities to thrive, inspire excellence, and pave the way for lasting wellbeing across Aotearoa.”

“We are privileged to lead this response to gambling harm and to help address gaps across the sector in partnership with national providers PGF Services and Mapu Maia. Gambling harm is present in everyday lives, and we need to act now to better support all people who come through our services.”

 

Sign up for the online modules: eLearnX – https://www.elearnx.co.nz/