At the heart of Dr Lucy Hone’s work is a powerful question: how do we build a good life, even when life is hard? How do we keep hold of meaning, hope, connection, and even joy, when things feel messy or uncertain?
Life does not always go to plan. Sometimes it knocks the wind out of us. Sometimes it changes shape quietly, through disappointment, stress, change, or loss. And sometimes we just need someone wise, real, and deeply human to help us make sense of it all.
That is what Dr Lucy Hone does so well.
She is a global resilience researcher and grief expert, known for her honest, practical, and compassionate approach to resilience, grief, and living well. Her work speaks to both the big losses and the everyday ones too, the “living losses” that come with life not turning out the way we expected. But this is not doom-and-gloom stuff – far from it!
What makes Lucy’s voice different is that she does not speak from a place of polish or perfection; she speaks with honesty. Her reflections are thoughtful, grounded, and full of real-world wisdom with practical insight for real people living real lives.
In her blogs and talks, Lucy responds to the questions many of us carry but do not always say out loud. That is why her work connects so deeply. It helps people feel understood, steadied, and better equipped for whatever season they are in.
This April, Dr Lucy Hone is coming to Wānaka for two powerful community events. Whether you support others through your work or are facing challenges in your own whānau, her keynote on the evening of 22 April 2026, and a half-day workshop on 23 April 2026 will offer practical, grounded insights and tools for navigating the tough times.
Come along and bring a friend. These are conversations that matter – and Dr Lucy is someone worth hearing.
Over the coming weeks, we will be sharing several of Lucy’s blogs. For more, read:
Lessons from Braided Rivers: Real-life Resilience
Empty Nest Grief: Living With the Invisible Loss
How to Talk to Children About Death, Grief and Loss
Book you tickets here:
Community Engagement Evening – Thriving Through Challenges and Change – Wednesday 22 April 2016 – Book here
Social & Community Sector Workshop – How Will I Ever Get Through This? – Thursday 23 April 2026 – Book here