❊ About Waterbear
About the company
Named after one of nature's most resilient creatures, our mission is to equip children with the tools they need to stay steady and confident, even when facing challenges. We believe resilience and self-regulation are skills every child can learn through enough practise.
Featured on TVNZ Breakfast and Radio New Zealand, our deep breathing game was originally developed to support anger management in the prison sector, but is now available to parents and schools who want to equip their children to succeed in future.
Supported by a global team of experts in wearable tech, biofeedback and the psychology of stress, Waterbear (fka Manana Interactive) is a New Zealand company founded in 2023.
Equipping children with the tools they need to stay steady and confident.
Core team
Tish Laubscher
Tish Laubscher (she/her) is the founder of Waterbear. Before creating games, she spent more than a decade telling stories and leading creative projects across television, digital media, and gaming. Originally trained as a lawyer, Tish has worked with organisations including the United Nations Development Programme and some of New Zealand's most innovative technology companies. She brings together science, storytelling, and game design to create experiences that help children build confidence and resilience in ways that feel engaging, safe, and fun.
Director & Founder
Lee Stoner
Dr Lee Stoner (he/him) is a biobehavioural scientist who has spent more than 18 years helping people understand how the body and mind work together. His research focuses on heart health, stress, and how wearable technology can help people build wellbeing and healthier habits. Lee has held professorships at both the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Massey University, and helps ensure everything we create at Waterbear is grounded in trusted science that's practical for everyday families.
Lead Scientist
