The MindKiwi programme is based on a mindfulness-based therapy programme for adults with attentional difficulties. It has been adapted for children and adolescents and integrated with a kaupapa Māori framework from a partnership model with mana whenua. Kaupapa Māori foundations such as tikanga and Te Reo Māori are core aspects of the integrated programme. Following a highly successful pilot study using children with ADHD, Mindkiwi has now been adapted for researching with children with emotion dysregulation.

The mindfulness programme follows a set structure, undertaken weekly. During the programme, children will learn methods to increase their engagement in the present moment, such as awareness of thoughts, feelings, impulses and attention. Alongside this, a parent/ caregiver mindfulness programme is undertaken by a parent or adult caregiver of each child. The main goal for parents and caregivers is to learn to pay more attention to a child’s internal and external states in a non-judgmental and non-reactive way. Each module of the mindfulness programme includes the following areas:

• Breathing mindfully
• Being more aware of the way we think and focus
• Coping with distraction
• Coping with impulsivity or strong feelings