Storytelling with Integrity
Storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to create connection, build understanding, and inspire change. But not all stories are told with care.
At Authenticity Studio, we believe storytelling must be done with integrity — not to impress, perform, or tick a box, but to reflect truthfully where we are, where we've been, and where we're still growing.
We don’t tell stories that suggest success is final or perfect. The journey is always evolving. Learning never stops. And no one belongs on a pedestal.
Real hope isn’t shiny. It’s practical. It's grounded in the messiness of real life, and it holds space for uncertainty, grief, and becoming.
As our population continues to change, our stories must change too. They must reflect the true diversity of Aotearoa — not just in who is represented, but in how those experiences are understood and honoured.
Storytelling, when done with integrity, becomes a form of healing. A form of truth-telling. And a way forward.
Navigating the 1.5 Generation: Identity, Mental Health, and Storytelling with Bevan Chuang
What it means to belong to the “1.5 generation” — those who moved to New Zealand as children or teenagers, growing up between cultures and expectations. Bevan Chuang shares her journey from Hong Kong to Aotearoa, navigating identity, language, and the weight of cultural stigma around mental health and queerness. Bevan’s story is one of creativity and resilience — from her work in museums and film festivals to founding Be Love Entertainment, she continues to uplift untold voices and bridge generations through storytelling. Her insight reminds us that leadership begins with empathy and that small acts of courage can ripple outward to create change.
Rooted in Community, Driven by Justice: The Darryl Bishop MNZM I Know
Darryl Bishop MNZM has dedicated more than 30 years to advancing mental health in Aotearoa. A former nurse with a strong social justice background, he led the Like Minds, Like Mine programme and helped establish Mental Health 101, two initiatives that have left a lasting national impact. A champion of peer support, Darryl values authenticity, courage, and community-led solutions, and is widely respected for his integrity, humility, and commitment to reducing stigma and creating meaningful change.
Led by Courage: Jordyn Elyse’s Journey
Jordyn Elyse’s story is one of courage, vulnerability, and authenticity. From navigating childhood anxiety and peer pressure to finding strength through travel, study, and motherhood, she has learned to embrace her anxiety rather than see it as something to fix. Her journey led her into suicide prevention and wellbeing mahi, guided by her authenticity and care for others. Even through separation and life’s hardest storms, Jordyn continues to walk forward with honesty, grace, and an unwavering flame.
Kula Nesting on a Kowhai Tree
Kula Nesting on a Kowhai Tree
Guest Blog Post By Jennifer Khan- Janif
The Quiet Presence: A Leadership That Does Not Shout but Enables
Kevin Harper doesn’t claim leadership through title or certainty. Instead, he shows up with humility, presence, and a quiet belief in others. For him, leadership isn’t about being in the spotlight—it’s about creating space for others to rise, honouring the journey, and leading with emotional availability. It’s not performance, but presence. Not control, but care.
The Journey Within: A Man Living with Meaning
At Authenticity Studio, we are honoured to celebrate Gary. His life is a testament to the fact that kindness, clarity, and authenticity can bring about systemic change, not through shouting, but through walking steadily, with heart and truth, and inviting others to walk alongside.
Who Controls Your Narrative?
We want to tell the stories of people who lead with heart. People who’ve turned their heartbreak into hope. People who understand that the human condition is not a problem to fix, but a story to honour.
Like mother, like daughter.
When Passion Met a Champion: A Teen’s Journey from Impossible to Possible
So what’s next? Cross-cultural communication.
When I first arrived in Aotearoa, I noticed something subtle yet persistent. What I considered respectful or polite back home was sometimes misinterpreted here — even seen as inappropriate.