Dani Morningstar, Peer Support Worker

Kia ora, ko Dani tōku ingoa.  I am a peer support worker working with the Te Tumu Waiora service. 

I bring with me a wealth of life experience, within the mental health sector, (both as whaiora and kaimahi) addiction, trauma and neurodivergence. I am social work qualified but have chosen to continue work in support work as opposed to social work as I feel the space, particularly the lived experience space is more suited to me, however I have gained a huge amount of knowledge and skills through gaining my degree. I work from a trauma informed and strengths-based perspective. I am passionate about walking alongside people who have encountered challenges and watching them regain confidence and the ability to create better, more sustainable lives for themselves.

I am happy to support peers to appointments (MSD, KO, GP and other external agencies/supports) advocating and helping them to self-advocate, assisting follow through on HIP and HC plans, supporting over all wellbeing that aligns with Te Whare Tapa Wha, and supporting and encouraging them with finding a social network, cultural connection, graduated exposure to things like gym, pool, supermarkets, groups etc and most importantly empowering peers to feel safe and confident to do these things, and more, themselves. I have had a lot of experience running various groups, I enjoy facilitating and am always keen to hear about new groups, or group suggestions.

While I work with all whaiora, I specialise in youth spaces, neurodiverse spaces, AOD and mental health spaces, As well as LGBTQIA+ spaces. I identify as gay and use she/they pronouns.

Outside of mahi I am also a single parent to two adult children, and I have one grandson who was born in May 2026. I am an animal lover; I have 5 birds and 1 chihuahua. I enjoy driving (when gas is not as expensive!) online gaming, painting and horse riding with my younger daughter.

I am really excited about this mahi and look forward to meeting everyone both within the wider team, and the whaiora I will be sharing time with.  My hours of work are Monday-Thursday, 8.30-5pm.

Ngā mihi nui
Dani Morningstar (She/They)