Alex Todhunter has gone from plastering walls to helping Eastern Bay people navigate life’s challenges.

Recently graduated from Manukau Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Applied Counselling, Mr Todhunter has opened a practice in Whakatāne called Foundations Counselling, which offers support for children, young people and adults.

Mr Todhunter moved from the UK to New Zealand in 2021 because he and his wife decided they wanted to raise their children in Whakatāne, where she was from.

He worked as a plasterer in the UK and while working in people’s homes, he said they seemed to find him easy to talk to.

“They would often open up to me, which made me think, maybe I could do something to help."

He decided that when he moved to New Zealand, he would retrain as a counsellor.

He has studied for the past three years, graduating in December.

While studying, he worked part-time as a kaiāwhina at Apanui Primary School and at Whakatāne Aquatic Centre as a swimming instructor which, he believes, has prepared him to be a better all-round counsellor.

His goal is to provide support to the wider Eastern Bay, and he offers free 20-minute consultations from his office in Thomas House on McGarvey Road to discuss what counselling might look like if people decide to book a session.

Online counselling appointments are also available for people who live rurally or cannot make an in-person session for any reason.

Mr Todhunter believes developing better mental health and supporting the people around you is important.

“Taking that first step is the hardest; to reach out and ask for help. Support can come from whānau and friends, but counselling can offer that extra layer of support.”