Under the New Zealand Sun: Celebrating Leadership, Fidelity, & Friendship

A Reunion of Mentors Advancing the Incredible Years® Mission 

• by Carolyn Webster-Stratton, M.S., M.P.H., Ph.D.

Spending the month of February on Waiheke Island, New Zealand, was both professionally inspiring and personally meaningful. 

Surrounded by 13–14 hours of summer sunshine, I was able to do Zoom trainings and consultations. I piloted a Preschool 2.0 Zoom parent training for 5 half-days with trainees from England, Lithuania, New Zealand, Australia, and US states including California, Colorado, Ohio, Pennsylvania, & Texas. Lisa Herewini, a Māori mentor from New Zealand, and Jeannie Gordon from England helped co-lead and give feedback on the training.  

I had the privilege of reconnecting with extraordinary New Zealand mentors — colleagues and friends I have known for 15 to 24 years — whose dedication continues to strengthen the Incredible Years mission. 

One special highlight was time with Dianne Lees, an IY mentor, who completed both her Master’s and PhD with the Incredible Years Parent Program. She and her husband joined my husband and me for a weekend filled with reflection, laughter, and rich professional dialogue. We discussed ways to continue supporting group leaders and coaches and to ensure the highest standards of fidelity in program delivery. 

Lee Taylor-Burt and Sheila Russell, mentors with deep roots in early childhood education, also visited. Their leadership has been instrumental in bringing the Incredible Beginnings and Teacher Autism programs to educators across New Zealand, expanding the reach and impact of this work.  

Before returning to rainy Seattle, I gathered in Auckland for a full-day reunion with all 12 New Zealand mentors. The energy in the room was remarkable — a shared commitment to children, families, teachers, and evidence-based practice.    

During this gathering, Lisa Christensen (Teacher Classroom Management) and Lucy Gregory (Autism Parent Program) celebrated completing their Incredible Years mentor certification. Their achievement reflects both personal dedication and the strength of the mentoring community that surrounds them. 

Shelley Lotter, Workforce Delivery Lead, and Lisa Maugham, Principal Advisor and Workforce Delivery Leader for Whāraurau, presented 2024–2025 data that demonstrate the power of this national infrastructure:

• 38–51% of active Incredible Years group leaders are accredited or on the accreditation pathway — among the highest rates globally.
• 66–78% received peer coaching during their most recent program delivery.
• 36–72% attended consultation days within the past two years.

These numbers represent more than statistics. They reflect a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. New Zealand has built one of the strongest dissemination and support systems in the world for ensuring quality training and fidelity of delivery.

As the developer of these programs, I am deeply honored to witness the integrity, passion, and commitment with which they are implemented here. The New Zealand mentors exemplify what is possible when professional excellence is paired with heart. 

Carolyn Webster-Stratton, PhD
Professor Emeritus
University of Washington