Ka Puta Ka Ora Emerge Aotearoa’s Phoenix Centre in Papakura has been having a huge impact on people’s lives for years. There’s no better example of this than Kylie’s journey: from addiction and desperation to now working as an AOD clinician in the service that supported her in turning her life around.
After 25 years of addiction and instability, Kylie reached a crisis point and reconnected with the Phoenix Centre.
With consistent support for herself and her whānau, she entered treatment, built a foundation in recovery, and slowly rebuilt her life.
As her confidence grew, so did her interest in supporting others. She completed Level 4 and advanced PT training at MIT, then began working in the addiction sector at Puna Whakaata — the first place she stepped into recovery.
Kylie always hoped to return to Phoenix. A year later, she joined the team as a Peer Support Worker, using her lived experience to walk alongside tāngata whaiora with empathy and honesty. After four years in that role, she chose to upskill again, completing the Level 7 Applied Addictions Counselling Diploma at Te Taketake.
In February, Kylie stepped into her new role as a Clinician at Phoenix. She now supports tāngata whaiora in the same service where her own healing began, bringing deep insight, compassion, and a commitment to helping people rediscover their sense of purpose.
Kylie’s story reflects the strength of lived experience in the workforce, the impact of wraparound support, and the importance of creating pathways for people to grow, learn, and lead.
We’re incredibly proud of Kylie and grateful for the hope and expertise she brings to our team.
Learn more about the Phoenix Centre | https://shorturl.at/2Rc4M
