The 4th Indigenous Wellbeing Conference

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland proved a fitting host for the 4th Indigenous Wellbeing Conference, which was held in New Zealand for the first time in October 2024.

The conference is dedicated to addressing the unique challenges and opportunities related to Indigenous mental health and wellbeing. It brings together community leaders, health practitioners, researchers, policymakers and advocates from across Australasia and beyond to share knowledge, collaborate on best practices and promote holistic approaches to improving the health outcomes of Indigenous peoples.

Hosted by the Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association, the theme for this year’s conference was “Our Stories, Our Strength: A Collective Journey to Indigenous Wellbeing.”

Sam Stewart, CEO Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association, says: “Members of our board had suggested we try to get to New Zealand because they do a lot of things so well; we could learn from their stories, their history, their culture.

“A lot of Indigenous communities face similar challenges;. How do we learn what is working in the community to advance the social and emotional wellbeing of Indigenous and First Nations people?”

The three-day conference was packed with insightful workshops, presentations and an exhibition, including more than 40 concurrent sessions. More than 500 delegates attended in-person, and more than 90 joined online, exceeding expectations due to strong local partnerships and targeted outreach.

Links to indigeneity

Stewart says the choice of Auckland and the venue was because an event on Indigenous culture needs links to indigeneity. Due Drop Events Centre is owned and operated by Waka Pacific Trust on behalf of the community. Its location in South Auckland, with its large Māori and Pasifika population, gave the conference the best chance of being successful.

Professional conference organiser (PCO) Samantha Collingridge, General Manager of AST Management adds: “The Auckland Convention Bureau was fantastic in facilitating connections with key local stakeholders. They connected us with the local iwi, mental health professionals in the region and other relevant experts. Through these introductions, we were fortunate to have Qiane Matata-Sipu, Founder and Director of QIANE+co and NUKU, as well as Kiri Prentice, Deputy Clinical Director Māori at Counties Manukau Health, join our committee. Their involvement significantly enriched our event, bringing invaluable insights and expertise.”

Matata-Sipu also helped welcome delegates onto nearby Makaurau Marae with a pōwhiri welcome and hikoi tour, incorporating a storytelling journey of the land and its importance to her people.

She says: “Incorporating Māori culture into these events is vital. It was such a highlight of the conference because people got to engage with the local stories, on the local marae. It’s our people welcoming you to our home. It’s bringing that event into Auckland.

“These experiences shouldn’t just be for events with Indigenous-related Kaupapa (principles), either. Tāmaki Makaurau has a really rich Māori history, and it is great to showcase that.”

Stewart adds. “We felt had the blessing of iwi – they were big supporters, and it gave us a bit of kudos.”

Ken Pereira, Head of Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB) adds: “Connecting people with Iwi is  just one of the many resources ACB has to draw on to support conferences with an indigenous focus or audience. We can also connect event organisers to cultural expertise to advise on programme development, indigenous experiences, and protocols via our own network and through Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s Māori Outcomes rōpū (team).

A rich cultural perspective

A large part of the content featured impactful, Indigenous-led conversation and approaches, from keynote sessions featuring mental health and cultural leaders, to first-hand insights providing an opportunity for non-Indigenous people to learn.

Collingridge adds: “The integration of Māori cultural practices, including pōwhiri and karakia, also added a unique and meaningful dimension to the event.

“Networking sessions provided opportunities for participants to connect and collaborate across sectors, and the local venue allowed for seamless integration of the surrounding community.”

Kapa haka (dance) was included during social functions, Tāmoko artists (Māori tattoo experts)  took part in the exhibition, and there were Indigenous products and  arts available to purchase, Stewart notes.

“At the conclusion of the conference there was an exchange of gifts between First Nation elders from Australia and NZ –  affirmed the relationship, appreciation  and mutual respect.”

Objectives and opportunities

Organisers say the event was very successful in its objective of fostering collaboration between First Nations peoples, mental health professionals, and community leaders to address regional mental health challenges and improve outcomes.

Key sessions dedicated to Indigenous perspectives on mental health and wellbeing were well-received by attendees and sparked important discussions about integrating these practices into mainstream approaches.

Collingridge notes: “The event facilitated several promising partnerships. Discussions began on potential research projects focusing on the intersection of mental health and cultural identity, with academic institutions expressing interest in collaborating with local iwi. Additionally, business opportunities emerged for mental health service providers seeking to integrate more culturally appropriate care into their offerings, particularly in Auckland and surrounding regions.

“These partnerships have the potential to contribute significantly to regional and national mental health strategies, particularly in terms of cultural competency and inclusivity.”