Nōku te Ao New Plymouth Regional Wānanga

• Free to attend – registration essential

• Limited spots

• Morning tea and lunch provided

Following the success of the Nōku te Ao Symposium in Auckland earlier this year, the Regional Wānanga series He reo tini, he wawata kotahi – Many voices, one goal to end mental distress discrimination continues the momentum to create lasting change for people living with mental distress in Aotearoa.

As part of a four-event series across the motu, the Nōku te Ao New Plymouth Regional Wānanga will bring together systems change leaders, mental health professionals, and lived experience advocates to focus on practical actions and tools to end mental distress discrimination at every level.

Join us for a day of powerful kōrero, practical learning, and collective action.

We are honoured to welcome Egan Bidois and Paul Rangiwahia as our keynote speakers.

Egan Bidois’s keynote will explore why the voice of tāngata whaiora (people seeking wellness) must always be present, purposeful, and powerful. His kōrero will challenge us to face barriers that silence lived experience, and to resist diluting truth for the comfort of others.

In his keynote, Paul Rangiwahia will explore the power of art in normalising mental health conversations, and approaches to wellbeing that focus on small, repeatable actions rather than big motivation or hype.

The day will include two interactive workshops. The first workshop, led by John Kingi and Heemi Kapa-Kingi from Soften Up Bro, will challenge the perception that experiencing mental distress is a sign of weakness. Through storytelling and reflection, this workshop will explore how vulnerability can strengthen whānau and communities, and how speaking honestly about mental distress can deepen connection and a sense of identity.

The second workshop will be spearheaded by Kyle Ratapu. Participants will be invited to focus on emotional regulation, self-determination, and creating culturally safe spaces for taiohi, whānau, and kaimahi. Through embodied and reflective practices, mātauranga Māori will be used as a foundation for challenging stigma and honouring lived experience.

• Evidence-based tools to challenge mental distress stigma and discrimination in your workplace and community

• Connections with sector leaders and lived experience advocates across Taranaki.
• Inspiration and practical steps to help create lasting change.

Nōku te Ao is a public awareness movement dedicated to increasing social inclusion and ending discrimination against people with lived experience of mental illness or distress.

Grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and led by tāngata whaiora (people seeking wellness), Nōku te Ao works with lived experience communities, whānau, and kaimahi across Aotearoa – to end stigma and discrimination in homes, schools, workplaces, hospitals, and the media.

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Host or Publisher Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand