Mark is interested in social change and the factors that contribute to effective, positive social outcomes – for individuals, families and the social structures they operate within. He has travelled extensively, is widely read and enjoys engaging with complex ideas and situations.
He has provided services to government, statutory social service organisations, non governmental organisations, community and iwi groups. Work includes management coaching, team facilitation, evaluation research, team and skills training, professional/clinical supervision and conflict mediation.
Mark was formerly Clinical Director for Mental Health Services for Palmerston North Hospital before founding his own company in 1998.
Previously he had worked as a Family Therapy and Clinical supervisor to Child Adolescent and Family Mental Health services (Palmerston North), Lecturer in Social Work and Social Policy, (Massey University), Senior Social Worker in both inpatient and community based Health Services (Taranaki, Nelson, Wellington,) and a Teacher (Northland, Wellington).
Mark has a Masters degree in Applied Social Science from Victoria University and is trained in Family Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Narrative Therapy. He is a member of the New Zealand Association for Training and Development. Mark is also an accredited Assessor for the Social Services ITO.
He has provided services such as training services to government and other agencies that work in the social services field and delivered training for HMA Ltd and Matua Raki; AOD agencies on “Working with Clients in the Justice System”
Developed and delivered the training for Community Probation Service (CPS) on Working with Families of Home Detainees. Also delivered training for Hall McMaster and Associates on; Offender Management, Casework skills, Interviewing Skills and Motivational Interviewing.
Working with Family for Te Maru O Ruahine Social Service
Professional Ethics in Practice for CYF and CPS.
Leadership Development and Team Building for CPS, Public Prison Service, CYF, Team Talk and Westpac.
Vision and Values development for community organisations such as Wanganui Living without Violence Trust, Kapiti Safer Community Council and Vision Manawatu.
Client focused skills development programmes such as “Motivating Clients for Change”, “Working With Families”, “Professional Ethics”, “Indicators of Domestic Violence”, for CYF and other social service agencies.
Mark also provides management and leadership coaching for senior staff in social service organisations.
Site Manager, Professional Supervisors and Practice Leaders at CYF, Palmerston North
Area Manager, and Service Managers and Probation officers at Community Probation Service, Palmerston North, Levin and Whanganui
Director Te Aroha Noa Community Services Palmerston North
Service Managers of Presbyterian Family Works, New Plymouth and Wanganui
Service Manager RNFB, Palmerston North
Service Manager Otaki Children’s Health Camp
Managing Director Team Talk, Wellington.
He has worked collaboratively with a number of companies to provide innovative research. Recent joint ventures include:
A review for the Ministry of Justice of the provision of restorative justice in cases of domestic violence by an NGO. Mark was team leader HMA ltd for this ground breaking project. The review informed ministry policy on the effectiveness of alternative responses to the rehabilitation of violent offenders.
Subcontractor to the University Of Otago to design and deliver a telephone survey of publicans, health workers, enforcement agencies, employees and employers affected by smoke free legislation. The “Evaluation of the December 2003 Smoke-free Amendments to the 1990 Smoke-free Environments Act” will inform ministry policy on the need for further legislation about tobacco sales and advertising.
Mark evaluated “The Accessibility and Responsiveness of NZ State Services 2006”working collaboratively with members of the State Services Commission Team. Mark helped design the question framework, facilitated focus groups and assisted in data analysis.
Mark was subcontracted to Dialogue Associates to be part of a team that conducted a series of national dialogues on “The Cultural, Spiritual and Ethical Aspects of Xenotransplantation: Animal to Human Gene Transplantation”. The resulting report on public attitudes was provided to the Bioethics Council in 2004.
Mark was a member of the Barnados research team investigating the effect of family support on family change; the published report "Successful Changes for Family Wellbeing". 1995-1997 was funded by FORST. (Foundation for Research Science and Technology). Team members included: Dr. R. Munford, Dr. P. Spoonley, Ms. I. Saunders, Ms. A. Jack, and Ms. I. Mulder.
Manawatu Men For Non Violence requested Mark review its organisation and the report: A Qualitative Evaluation of the Organisation and Services 1993. This was presented to the Annual General Meeting of MMNV 1993. The research was funded by MURF (Massey University Research Fund).
A married man and father of four, Mark enjoys cooking, beekeeping, fishing and gardening. He is an artist whose work is regularly exhibited and has sold throughout New Zealand.
