Testimonials From Past Clients

“We have used the services of Stephen Archer (MWFO) to help us to develop our Wellness Programme and Policy at Air New Zealand Cargo. During the period of programme development and in conducting training of our workforce, I have found Stephen Archer to be knowledgeable and professional in his approach to the subject of wellness and workplace stress. Stephen has presented to two target audiences, namely half day sessions for managers and 90-minute sessions for shop floor employees, both of which have been well received.” – Rick Knight, Cargo Occupational Safety & Health Advisor
Air New Zealand

“Stephen from MWFO is an exceptional mindfulness teacher. He tailored the workshop really accurately to the unique needs of our team, helping a group diverse in age and experience – Olympic athletes, sports coaches, health team, sport managers – to connect to mindfulness in a practical, enlightening and fun way. Stephen has a way of keeping the practices and approaches fresh, new, and fascinating. He channels a significant body of experience and knowledge into relatable, usable and often hilarious observations and descriptions, with authenticity and authority. Personally, I’ve practiced mindfulness for a decade or so to help me get more out of life and work. Whenever I spend time with Stephen I find my motivation to practice is renewed and revitalised, and my understanding of why and how to do this whole mindfulness thing becomes clearer and simpler. Nga mihi nui Stephen from me and the NZ Team.”

Campbell Thompson, New Zealand Olympic Committee and Psychologist NZ Olympic Team, Tokyo August 2021

“The Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand strongly endorses mindfulness as a useful way to improve positive mental health and resilience. We recommend Stephen Archer (MWFO) as an experienced mindfulness practitioner.” – Hugh Norriss, Director of Policy & Development, Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand

“People from DOC attended a six-week mindfulness course. There was an underlying theme of how to manage the demands of work in a busy office, how at any one time, our attention is drawn across competing tasks, and how to remain present in meetings, offering others our undivided attention.
Stephen Archer (MWFO) began each session with a short talk about mindfulness and being present. Through structured exercises we were guided through stages of deepening relaxation so that we were in a receptive state. We were encouraged to feel where our body was at. This allowed the busyness of daily life to drop away. Stephen offered us variety during the sessions. We practised conversations whilst being fully present and aware. At the end of each session, we completed a self-evaluation rating about our current state both at work and in our personal life. People reported noticeable gains in focus while at their workstation. Especially an increased awareness of where their attention was drawn and their conscious effort to bring their focus back to the present moment and task.” – Lisa Whittle, Learning and Development Manager, Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai

“Teagan was so easy to work with – we ran a month focussing on building resilience in our staff and she immediately understood what we were trying to achieve and tailored her sessions for us. Our work is fast paced and often stressful. Teagan was able to explain what stress is and how it effects our minds and bodies. For a team made up mostly of engineers, understanding the what and why is really important! Teagan gave us practical tools and lead meditation to help us achieve our goals. After the sessions, we had lots of good feedback from the team who attended. Attendees told me they learnt some new tools and really enjoyed practicing some meditation techniques.” – Helen Baillie-Strong HR Advisor, Piritahi Alliance

“Mindfulness does work. I research and coach CEs and senior teams and note the difference between leaders who have a mindful approach and those who don’t. Leaders who’ve undertaken MWFO programmes make better, more considered decisions; they communicate more clearly; they manage their own ‘stuff’ and avoid transferring their problems to others; they role model resilience and invite it in others. I’d encourage every leader to put a MWFO mindfulness programme into their next PDP. It’s an essential leadership tool.” – Jane McCann, Director, McCann Consulting Limited

Wellington City Council

“It has been a wonderful experience having Stephen Archer offer mindfulness training in our workplace. It has provided a very beneficial space for people to learn how to relax and renew themselves at work. It certainly has helped me to reduce stress and be more at ease in the workplace. Participants have formed an ongoing group so that they can continue to practice what they’ve learned. I think everyone has received something of value from this course and that it has made a significant contribution towards fostering a culture of wellbeing and effectiveness in our organisation. I’d recommend this training to others. Thank you.” – Andrew Morrison, Community Action City Housing Offices, Wellington City Council

State Services Commission

“Stephen is a terrific teacher – insightful, patient and inspiring. I truly believe that the practice of mindfulness is completely relevant in a work setting – busy people in the workplace, especially those charged with leading teams or solving thorny problems (and that would be all of us!) who need to find a way to bring the signal to noise ratio into balance. Mindfulness helps mightily with this, and will encourage you to bring a sense of ease into your interactions with people and in the way you seek solutions or insight.” – Amy White, State Services Commission

The Kindness Institute

“As a non-profit working in the mindfulness education and mental wellbeing space, it’s important for us to “walk-the-talk” and develop our own practice and deep understanding of mindfulness. Aware of Stephen Archer’s amazing experience and accessible teachings, our core team of five recently attended his 7 day mindfulness intensive and experienced incredible individual learnings as well as an immense team connection. Collectively we found Stephen’s teachings insightful, inclusive and ultimately transformative. Individually our team have shared this was extremely beneficial for their own connection to self and came away with tangible tools to practice themselves and pass on to the marginalised communities we support.” – Brady Polkinghorne, Director, The Kindness Institute