THE AMEND JOURNEY
A MOVEMENT BUILT FROM LIVED EXPERIENCE, REAL WORK, AND THE BELIEF THAT WHEN A MAN HEALS, HE CHANGES GENERATIONS.
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Across Australia, New Zealand and beyond, men are struggling in silence.
Disconnection, shame, childhood conditioning, and outdated stereotypes have left too many men without the tools to build healthy lives, safe homes, and emotionally strong relationships.
Amend exists to change that — not with surface-level advice, but with deep, practical, grounded work that teaches men how to lead themselves from the inside out.
From the shadows of Aotearoa to the streets of Australia, to parts of Europe, we’ve walked into the spaces most won’t — gang headquarters, recovery homes, classrooms, prison cells.
HOW IT STARTED.
THE STORY OF AMEND MOVEMENT
A call to rebuild from the inside out.
Before Amend existed, Watene “Wa” Waenga was already doing the work most people never see inside the spaces where pain hides and potential is overlooked.
He spent five years in the Department of Child Safety, supporting kids removed from unsafe homes and helping disconnected young people re-engage with school. Many carried stories that looked a lot like his own: trauma, loss, and feeling forgotten.
He then spent eight years teaching boys excluded from mainstream education — running a mobile classroom, knocking on doors, sitting in parks, and meeting young men exactly where they were. But behind every lesson he taught them was a lesson he was still learning himself.
From that truth, Amend Movement was born in 2019.
It began simply: men’s walks.
No pressure. No judgement. No “fixing.”
Just men walking side by side, finally allowed to drop the mask and speak honestly.
Those walks became circles.
The circles became community.
For a time, Amend supported both men and women through workshops, retreats and mentoring; proof that healing happens in safe, real connection.
But one truth kept rising to the surface:
Homes, relationships, families, and communities rise or fall on the emotional leadership of men.
Not dominance.
Not silence.
But grounded, honest, emotionally present men.
So Amend returned to its roots — men’s work — and rebuilt everything around one mission:
To help men become emotional leaders, create safe homes, and build healthy relationships from the inside out.
Because when a man heals, his children grow up safer.
When a man leads with heart, his partner feels seen.
And when a man finds peace within himself, he stops passing his pain to everyone around him.
This is Amend Movement.
Not self-help.
Not a quick fix.
But the work that changes everything.
We work with fathers determined to break generational cycles and raise their children in emotionally safe, connected homes.
Men preparing for fatherhood who want a strong foundation before their children arrive.
Partners committed to creating healthy, honest, lasting relationships.
Single men choosing to do the work now so they’re ready for the life and love they want next.
And men who grew up without role models — finally ready to become the example they never had.
No matter where you're starting from, change begins the moment you decide to do the work.
WHERE WE’VE BEEN.
WHERE WE’RE GOING.
From the shadows of Aotearoa to the streets of Australia, and into parts of Europe, we’ve stepped into spaces most people never will: gang headquarters, recovery homes, classrooms, prison cells.
We’ve never waited for men to come to us — we go where healing is needed.
We’ve stood alongside former servicemen, ex-military, police officers, tactical response teams, former gang members, school teachers, FIFO workers, and everyday men from every culture and race.
In our rooms, no one knows each other’s history.
There is no judgement.
No hierarchy.
Only trust, safety, and the shared courage to speak openly.
We believe every man deserves to feel safe, to be seen, and to have a voice.
This is where deep community healing begins.
And now, we’re building a future where emotional leadership is the standard — where men lead from the inside out and the ripple effect transforms homes, relationships, and generations.
MEET THE FOUNDER.
WATENE WAENGA
Founder of Amend Movement and Qualified Counsellor
Watene Waenga is a beacon of hope and resilience for men navigating the path to healing and personal transformation. Growing up in an environment filled with chaos and violence, Wa experienced firsthand the struggles of a turbulent childhood. Despite his determination not to mirror the destructive behaviours he was exposed to, he found himself embodying them as a young man.
By age 20, he realised the urgent need for change.
Though his transformation was gradual, he found the courage to heal and redefine his life around the principles of kindness, emotional strength, and service to others.
With over 16 years of experience in the mental health space, Wa has supported more than 20,000 people across Australia, New Zealand, and beyond — helping men develop emotional intelligence, rebuild their relationships, and lead their families with clarity and strength.
His story is proof that true strength lies in the courage to ask for help.
Through Amend Movement, he continues to inspire men to embrace change and lead lives defined by understanding and compassion.
THIS WORK CHANGES MEN AND MEN CHANGE GENERATIONS.
Whether you're beginning your journey or ready for deeper work, there’s a space for you here.
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