use your back bone & own your story
Do more for yourself
With a fresh perspective and a bit of inspiration, we are capable of more than we can imagine.
Founder - Kaz O'Neill
Welcome to Kiwi Backbone! Originally known as Inspire Belief, I started this journey back in 2017. But as life changes and challenges arise, we all need to reinvent ourselves to keep moving forward—hence the name change and fresh direction.
I’m Kaz O’Neill. I’m a mum of two – to a rodeo and bull-farming daughter, and a son with high-needs autism who I care for full-time. I’ve been a married parent, a solo parent, and a solo farmer on a rugged, beautiful mountain. It was hard and lonely out there – I had to learn how to run a farm on my own and care for Trampus when he was really struggling. It felt like my own hardcore outward bound. Now I’m in a new chapter: I’m a lowlander with a partner, not doing it all alone anymore. I’m part of a community, I’ve helped build projects and connect people, and I’m learning to fish and say yes to new adventures – as long as I’m having a good time. That’s the season where Kiwi Backbone has really been reborn.
Kiwi Backbone is how I use my own life and hard-won skills to walk beside other mums, kids, and over-stretched humans. It’s not coaching and it’s not fluffy pep talks. It’s stories, tools, and workbooks that help you use your own experiences as building material instead of proof you’re failing.
You’re not a project to fix, you’re more like a painting that keeps changing. You’re allowed to pick the brush back up and add new layers, even if other people don’t get it. From Kiwi Backbone books to Inspire Kids school programmes, events, and now small incubator workshops in our old woolshed, everything I build is about one thing: using real life – the messy bits, the humour and the magic – to make everyday life work better for people.
Pick Your Adventure
For You
Warm, practical self-belief books, workbooks and mini-courses
Inspire Belief Kids
For your students
Workshops, Events
At the Wool Shed – Kiwi Backbone, Waikato
Learn new skills
and build a better world for yourself & those you love
Building a Base Camp
Tucked away in the beautiful countryside in Naike, NZ, Kiwi Back Bone is all about helping you find your spark again through cool workshops and events.
On a mission to build a friendly space where you can pick up fresh skills, meet new mates, have a laugh, and get inspired. I’m super keen to create something special.
Our Wool Shed, with its rustic charm, is getting a makeover to become a cozy Hub for all our activities. We snagged a fixer-upper with 70 acres in 2022, and over the past few years, we’ve been busy transforming the paddocks, fences, drains, and the water system, including three new dams, all while recycling gear wherever we can. Fortunately, I have a very handy partner with a digger.
We have a lovely park-sized garden on the property, and I’ve been getting my hands dirty learning how to garden while we tidy things up and expand.
Next up is the Wool Shed – the hub, where I can finally host those workshops, events and in-person sessions. I’m creating a space that not only sparks you up but also brings people together. With each workshop, we want to create a vibe that encourages you to step out of your comfort zone and try something new.
Lucy
The spark that ignited Inspire Belief… now Kiwi Backbone
On 1 February 2007, just 16 hours after welcoming my daughter into the world, I faced the heartbreaking loss of my mother Lucy, who passed away at 65 due to bone cancer. In her final days, she penned a list of unfulfilled dreams, reflecting on the simple joys she longed to experience but never did.
The list of dreams;
A more vibrant social life
A holiday in the South Island of New Zealand
Cherishing time with my grandchildren
A trip back to Australia to visit Joyce
Living a long and fulfilling life
Though these aspirations may seem straightforward (aside from the wish for longevity), it was her lack of confidence and self-worth that prevented her from pursuing her other ambitions. I realised I had the power to make a difference; I didn’t want anyone else’s dreams to fade away.
My mother never recognised the incredible impact she could have on those around her, including herself. Thus, I founded Inspire Belief to inspire individuals to trust in themselves and their dreams, for they hold immeasurable value.
Testimonials & Featured Clients
Take the First Step
If you’d like to chat more about any of this, email me. Hit the button below.
