An introduction to Asian Family Services

In this episode, we speak with Dr Kelly Feng from Asian Family Services (AFS). Kelly shares her clinical and leadership journey, her passion for service development, and insights into the wide range of support AFS provides, including mental health, gambling harm, and school-based initiatives. We discuss the challenges Asian communities in Aotearoa face, the importance of culturally safe care, and Kelly’s vision for a future where all communities can thrive with equitable support. Dr Kelly Feng (MNZM) is Chief Executive of Asian Family Services (AFS). Since 2016, her transformative leadership has driven innovation in mental health and addiction support. Trained as a medical doctor in China and later registered as a social worker in New Zealand, she combines clinical expertise with cultural insight and frontline empathy. She helped establish Asian mental health in secondary mental health, and pioneered initiatives amplifying Asian community voices. Her leadership has seen AFS secure multiple Ministry of Health grants and lead nationally significant research, advancing culturally responsive, equitable, and evidence-based services for Asian New Zealanders. Learn more about Asian Family Services at: www.asianfamilyservices.org.nz