Snita Ahir-Knight

Snita Ahir-Knight is a Registered Social Worker and child and adolescent specialist with more than 15 years’ experience working with tamariki, rangatahi, and whānau across mental health, community, statutory, and therapeutic settings in Aotearoa New Zealand and the UK.

She specialises in working directly with children and young people to help them express their views safely and meaningfully. Snita takes a child-centred, developmentally appropriate, and culturally responsive approach to hearing the child’s voice. Her role is to listen carefully and present the child’s perspective clearly and neutrally. Snita brings a strong understanding of family dynamics, child and family practice, and the ethical considerations involved in communicating children’s views.

Snita has held senior clinical, advisory, and academic roles across New Zealand and the UK. She is Programme Lead at the University of Otago, Wellington – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, Pōneke, where she leads a lived experience-led education and research programme. Her research interests include children and youth, parenting relationships, mental health, and children’s welfare, with a particular focus on understanding and representing children’s experiences and perspectives.

Snita is available for the Wairarapa and Hutt Valley in the Wellington Region.