About us
Kia ora & Kia orana, Welcome to Ngoio Psychology. We stand out by integrating Pacific Indigenous knowledge with clinical psychology for enhanced client outcomes. Our story begins with a vision to blend traditional wisdom with modern psychological practices, offering a unique path to well-being.
Our story
Ngoio is the Cook Island Maori name for Dr Evangelene Daniela - Wong, - a name she is recognized by on her home island of Atiu in the Cook Islands. The Ngoio is also a bird, commonly seen across the Pacific, it symbolizes a return to the safety of land for traditional Polynesian voyagers. This symbol represents our core mission: to provide a safe and reliable return to mental and emotional well-being.
Our approach
Ngoio Psychology integrates a strong indigenous foundation with over 20 years of Dr. Daniela-Wong's clinical expertise in Aotearoa and the Cook Islands. Our approach navigates various sectors and clinical presentations, reflecting a deep understanding of both indigenous worldviews and clinical best practices.
Our values
Traditional psychology often emphasizes the individual from a Western perspective. Ngoio Psychology recognizes the value in these approaches but also acknowledges their limitations.
Our values act as guiding stars taking us to places of safety.
Akatinamou ki runga i te ‘etu te ka akatae ‘iakoe ki te ‘enua
Focus on the star that will take you to land.
We recognize that our values are slightly different, focusing on empowering (akamana) people through relational wellbeing with ourselves, with others, with our environment, and with our spiritual world.
Dr Evangelene Daniela- Wong
Ngoio Psychology is based on 20 years of clinical experience by Cook Island Maori Consultant Clinical Psychologist - Dr Evangelene Daniela-Wong. Dr Daniela- Wong graduated with a PHD in neuropsychopharmacology and the Clinical psychology program from Victoria University of Wellington, and and began working in Addictions services in the Hawkes Bay. She then went on to work for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, before working with Forensic Mental health services, helping to establish Youth Forensic Mental Health services and providing expert opinions for the courts. During this time, she had private practice Te mata o te Ariki limited with Dr Hukarere Valentine, focusing on clinical and cultural integration. She also operationalized “Mana Moana” with Dr Karlo Mila - a pacific theory of well being, in a range of clinical contexts. Dr Daniela- Wong then moved to Atiu (her home island in the Cook Islands) and rebuilt the family home, before beginning work in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, developing mental health services for the Cook islands. From 2018-2025, she developed an MDT team focusing on primary to tertiary level mental health services for the country and built and established a small inpatient unit for those who were severely unwell. She has worked across sectors - Education, Corrective services, Justice consulting, providing assessment and treatment. In 2022 Dr Daniela Wong chaired the Western Pacific WHO regional meeting for Mental health and Addictions. During her entire career, Dr Daniela-Wong has worked predominantly (but not exclusively) with Maori and Pacific clientele using cultural clinical conceptualizations and methodologies. She has also participated as an investigator on multiple research projects and is currently involved in two HRC and one Marsden funded project exploring youth mental health in the Cook Islands (Liggins Insitutue), Climate change in the Pacific (Prof Jemina Tiatia), and an mental health epidemiology study for the Cook Islands (Dr Sam Manuela). After spending 6 years in the Cook Islands Dr Daniela-Wong is in the process of establishing private practice in New Zealand.
