Source: World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education (WIPCE)
Tēnā huihui mai tātou katoa, e takatū mai nei ki te manaaki i ngā iwi taketake puta noa i te ao whānui.
Mark your calendars – the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education (WIPCE) returns to Aotearoa New Zealand next month, bringing together nearly 4,000 Indigenous knowledge holders, educators and leaders from across the globe for a powerful week of connection, kōrero and celebration of Indigenous excellence in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Running for 37 years, WIPCE is the leading forum for Indigenous education and is dedicated to honouring, preserving and advancing Indigenous knowledge. Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makaurau – AUT and iwi manaaki Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei are hosting the 2025 conference at the Aotea Centre from 16-20 November.
Co-Chair of WIPCE 2025, Professor Meihana Durie, says the conference offers a powerful opportunity for Indigenous educators to come together in unity and shared purpose.
“Being able to gather en masse at WIPCE is critical, for Indigenous communities and for the world. At a time when Indigenous rights are under threat, and our contributions to humanity and the environment are too often ignored, it is through the power of our unity that our collective messages will reverberate around the world.
“WIPCE allows us, as Māori, to host our manuhiri here in Aotearoa – to stand alongside Indigenous educators from across the world in solidarity, and to celebrate the richness that comes through Indigenous story, culture, language, scholarship and ceremony,” says Durie.
WIPCE 2025 features an exceptional line up of keynote and guest speakers, including Distinguished Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith, Professor Leonie Pihama, Associate Professor Jeffrey Ansloos and Actor and Producer Cliff Curtis. Their work has helped shape global discussion on Indigenous rights, decolonisation and education.
The media are warmly invited to attend all or part of the conference. Please advise if and when you would like to attend and media access and tickets will be arranged.
People not attending the official activities but keen to get involved in the movement can enjoy the free Te Ao Pūtahi festival running alongside WIPCE 2025 in Aotea Square.
Key Events
WIPCE 2025 Powhiri | 16 November 9 am-11 am | The Cloud
- Official welcoming from iwi manaaki, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.
Parade of Nations | 16 November 11.30 am-1 pm | Queen Street to Aotea Square
- A cultural parade showcasing the diverse countries attending WIPCE 2025 – hailing from Australia, Canada, United States and Guam to Finland, Taiwan, Botswana and more than 20 others – which will travel from Queen Street to Aotea Square.
- Delegates will be dressed in their Indigenous kākahu/attire.
Te Ao Pūtahi Festival | 16-20 November | Aotea Square
- Te Ao Pūtahi Festival will offer a vibrant and accessible experience for locals and manuhiri to celebrate Indigenous culture.
- The free festival will feature different ao or ‘worlds’, focusing on culture, food, healing and trade. Indigenous stallholders will be providing free hands-on creative workshops and storytelling sessions, as well as selling kai and gifts.
- There’ll be kapa haka performances from rōpū like Ngā Tūmanako, as well as live music from artists including Jackson Owens, Betty-Anne, IA, Naia Awatea and Seth Hapu with more to be announced.
Distinguished Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith
Education Systems and Practises | Monday 17 November, 8:45 am
Associate Professor Mere Skerrett
Science and Technology | Monday 17 November, 1 pm
Ani Mikaere
Politics, Self-Determination and Decolonisation | Tuesday 18 November, 8:45 am
Eru Kapa-Kingi
Youth | Tuesday 18 November, 1 pm
Associate Professor Jeffrey Ansloos
Health and Wellbeing | Wednesday 19 November, 8:45 am
Dr Teina Rongo
Environment and Climate | Wednesday 19 November, 1 pm
Professor Leonie Pihama and Raniera Proctor
Linguistic and Cultural Revitalisation | Thursday 20 November, 8:10 am
Katie Wolfe and Cliff Curtis
Creative Arts and Media | Thursday 20 November, 11.30 am
Rosa Hibbert-Schooner
Monday 17 November, 4:25 pm
Dr Jon Osorio
Tuesday 18 November, 4:25 pm
Dr Spero Manson
Wednesday 19 November, 4:25 pm
More information about this year’s kaupapa is on the WIPCE 2025 website, including the themes and programme, keynote speakers, guest speakers and other event information.
If media are interested in attending any of the key events for WIPCE 2025, or the keynote sessions throughout the week, please contact our team as soon as possible. Media attendance at keynote sessions must be organised prior to the session commencing.
