Sarah Brown MNZM is a New Zealand Māori (Ngāpuhi/Te Rarawa) writer and producer who channels her creativity into storytelling with purpose.
Deeply committed to building violence-free communities, Sarah has worked alongside her husband Matt Brown to shift the national narrative around domestic violence with courage, clarity, and compassion.
Her background in writing and production has shaped the innovative, emotionally resonant messaging behind She Is Not Your Rehab, a social movement the couple launched in 2019 through Matt’s TEDx talk. Since then, Sarah has played a pivotal role in expanding the kaupapa, from co-authoring their bestselling 2021 book to co-developing innerBoy, a first-of-its-kind mental health app tailored for indigenous men.
Sarah’s gift lies in making complex, often confronting subjects accessible and empowering. Her storytelling drives campaigns like Love U Bro Day, which reached millions across Aotearoa and beyond in 2024. She also co-created the Who Is She? art exhibition in collaboration with Mr G, a visual celebration of women’s strength and stories.
Sarah was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2022, a recognition of her leadership, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to generational healing.
Talking Points
Sector Keynote Presentation + Q&A
Ideal for professionals working in the family violence, sexual violence, and trauma-informed care sectors. Sarah shares a pioneering approach to gendered violence prevention, challenging conventional frameworks and presenting a new way forward—centred on healing, accountability, and cultural connection. Delivered with honesty and mana, this session is designed for conferences, staff development, sector events, and annual gatherings.
Sector Keynote Presentation + Q&A
Workplace Keynote Presentation + Q&A
Suited for all workplace environments and event types, this keynote can be tailored to specific audiences. Sarah explores the importance of trauma-informed workplaces and the role organisations can play in community transformation. With storytelling at the heart, she shows how understanding trauma and fostering connection can shift culture, improve wellbeing, and inspire collective responsibility.
Workplace Keynote Presentation + Q&A
How To Do The Work – Half Day Workshop
This interactive session is crafted for those working in the family violence and sexual violence sector. Grounded in lived experience and practical insights, Sarah shares the kaupapa and frameworks that underpin the movement She Is Not Your Rehab, including how a global initiative grew from humble beginnings in a barbershop. Participants are equipped with tools for personal reflection and community impact, guided through the steps of holding space, supporting others, and staying grounded in purpose.
How To Do The Work – Half Day Workshop
How To Do The Work – Full Day Workshop
A deeper, immersive version of the half-day offering, this workshop invites participants to reflect on their own healing journeys while gaining practical tools for trauma-informed practice. Sarah incorporates her “start-up story”—how she helped build a self-funded, social enterprise and scaled it into an international movement. The session also touches on themes of identity, resilience, and the importance of knowing one’s worth—anchored by her own inspiring journey from teen motherhood and mental health crisis to empowered leadership.
How To Do The Work – Full Day Workshop
