Mokopuna Ora Conference

The Mokopuna Ora Conference brought together leaders,practitioners, and advocates committed to the wellbeing of mokopuna and whānau.Centered on the themes to inspire, to inform, and to indigenise, theevent showcased powerful kōrero and innovative approaches to care andprotection. Waikato-Tainui shared their vision of mana motuhake,reinforcing the importance of sovereignty and self-determination in whānauwellbeing. The Children’s Commissioner provided a sobering view of the currentstate for tamariki in Aotearoa, while international guest Mary Teegee offeredinsights into the successes and challenges faced in Canada. Che Wilson’spresentation on the transformative power of mātauranga Māori reminded attendeesof the depth and resilience embedded in our own knowledge systems.

Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngāti Awa (NASH) was proud to contribute tothis kaupapa by presenting a workshop on our Enabling Communities Agilityprototype. This initiative exemplifies how aspirations can become realitythrough innovation and collaboration, enabling whānau to exercise greaterautonomy and strengthen resilience. Our session highlighted practicalstrategies for embedding Mana Motuhake into service delivery and organisationalculture, sparking conversations on how communities can lead their ownsolutions. The conference was not only a platform for sharing ideas but a callto action—encouraging all of us to think bigger, be braver, and aim higher forthe future of our mokopuna.

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