37 Years of WIPCE
A Global Indigenous Education Movement
WIPCE is more than a conference every three years, it’s a global movement. In 1987, in Vancouver, Canada, Elders and knowledge keepers gathered to solidify the purpose and place of WIPCE, centred on the pivotal role of community. Since its inception, WIPCE has united Indigenous educators, leaders and knowledge keepers in a shared vision -— to honour, preserve and advance Indigenous education.
Indigenous knowledge is the heartbeat of Indigenous identity. It shapes how we understand the world, passed down through storytelling, cultural practice and lived experience. Indigenous culture is a taonga (gift). It is a legacy that is passed down through generations, shaping the principles and practices of people across the world. Indigenous peoples are represented on all continents of the earth and contribute significantly to the cultural and linguistic diversity of every whenua (land) they belong to.
WIPCE has a longstanding legacy of celebrating Indigenous excellence in education. It has grown to become a major international event in the Indigenous calendar, providing the space for intrinsic Indigenous knowledge to be shared. WIPCE gathers Indigenous knowledge keepers from around the globe to share strategies for culturally grounded education, connect with other Indigenous peoples and hear from those world renowned in Indigenous education.
WIPCE 2025 will continue the legacy of the movement, looking to the past and present to inform the future of Indigenous knowledge.
As kaiārahi (hosts) of WIPCE 2025 we are committed to the values as ratified through the Coolangatta Statement on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in Education and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
WIPCE Declaration of Indigenous Youth
WIPCE Declaration of Indigenous Youth
WIPCE Coolangatta Symposium 2024
In March 2024, over 200 guests gathered at Kamehameha Schools Keaʻau Campus in Hilo, Hawaiʻi. The purpose of the 3-day event was to bring together indigenous education professionals from the WIPCE family to engage in discussion and revisit the following statements: WIPCE Coolangatta Statement on Education, WIPCE Indigenous Youth Statement on Education, United National Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples’. Symposium attendees reviewed these statements, updated the Coolangatta Statement on Indigenous Education, and offered a new draft for ratification at 2025 WIPCE, hosted by AUT in Tamaki Makaurau, Auckland, Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Our hosts
Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau, also known as the Auckland University of Technology (AUT), is one of the world’s best modern universities. We embrace new technologies to lead the learning of tomorrow, and prepare our students for the rapidly changing world. AUT has more than 60 research centres and institutes delivering leading research – from artificial intelligence to robotics, and ecology to public health. As a contemporary university, AUT is connected to an extraordinary range of organisations worldwide; sharing expertise and resources, collaborating on ground-breaking research, and connecting students with industry leaders and employers.
The university has a strong and important relationship with Māori, which honours the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, New Zealand's founding document. This commitment is reflected in our educational, social and philosophical culture. Our Office of Māori Advancement works closely with Māori staff, students and the wider community in advising and implementing Māori knowledge and initiatives throughout the university.
Host committee
Toeolesulusulu Professor Damon Salesa
AUT Vice-Chancellor | WIPCE 2025 Co-Chair
Village Affiliations: Satapuala, Neiafu, and Falealupo in Sāmoa.
Professor Damon Salesa is the Vice-Chancellor of Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makaurau – Auckland University of Technology (AUT). He leads a university of over 26,000 students and 4,000 staff – one of the largest universities in New Zealand.
Damon is a prize-winning scholar who specialises in history, society, and politics in New Zealand and the Pacific. He is the first Samoan (Pacific) Vice-Chancellor in Aotearoa New Zealand.
After obtaining his MA with First Class Honours at the University of Auckland, he was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship and completed his doctoral studies at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.
He is the author and editor of many books and academic articles including Island Time: New Zealand’s Pacific Futures and Racial Crossings: Race, Intermarriage and the Victorian British Empire, which won the international Ernest Scott Prize in 2012 and recently published a book titled An Indigenous Ocean: Pacific Essays which recently won an Ockham Book Award this year.
He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand and a Fellow of Oxford University’s Oriel College.
He is also actively engaged with critical work in education, innovation, and pedagogy, and is a publicly engaged scholar around questions of inequality, politics, and education. Damon has worked, studied, and collaborated in New Zealand, across the Pacific, in Australia, the USA, and the UK.
Professor Meihana Durie
Te Toi Aronui | WIPCE 2025 Co-Chair
Village Affiliations: Rangitāne, Ngāti Kauwhata, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Porou, Rongowhakaata and Kāi Tahu
Professor Meihana Durie is a respected Māori academic, Indigenous scholar and advocate for Kaupapa Māori advancement and Indigenous sovereignty.
Over recent decades his work has traversed Māori education, health, arts, culture and development with a central focus on whānau, hāpori (community), hapū and iwi flourishing. An overarching focus of his leadership and scholarly contributions have centred around driving intergenerational outcomes that transcend the prolonged impacts of postcolonial systems, constructs and agendas. A major focus of his work places strong emphasis upon collective engagement and empowerment of whānau, hapū, iwi and Māori communities through educational pathways that are shaped by multifaceted dimensions of Mātauranga Māori, Te Reo Māori and Tikanga Māori.
Meihana commentates regularly on issues affecting Māori and Indigenous advancement, rights and sovereignty. More recently, his scholarly work has given emphasis to the notion of Trans-Indigeneity, an emergent Indigenous theory, methodology and philosophical framework whereby Indigenous systems are to the fore and are driven by Indigenous sovereign principles alongside the requisite components of Indigenous scholarly endeavour, translational leadership, transformational goals and intergenerational outcomes. Amidst the backdrop of postcolonialism his promulgation of Trans-Indigeneity seeks to augment Indigenous systems and endeavour through emergent technologies within the backdrop of the enduring tides of the Indigenous resistance movement.
Alongside his academic leadership and scholarly work, Meihana carries a number of leadership roles across his iwi of Rangitāne, Ngāti Kauwhata and Ngāti Raukawa ki Te Tonga and sits on a number of Māori and Iwi governance and advisory groups. He is Pou Tikanga on the Waitangi Tribunal Constitutional Kaupapa Inquiry (Tomokia ngā tatau o Matangireia WAI 3300) and assists his iwi of Ngāti Kauwhata in their Waitangi Tribunal Claims (WAI 2200 and WAI 113). Meihana was formerly Deputy Vice Chancellor Māori at Massey University for a number of years and through his current roles as CE of Te Wānanga o Raukawa and Te Toi Aronui at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), Meihana continues to embed Kaupapa Māori approaches and emergent insights in higher education settings for Māori to empower Māori through educational attainment. His leadership reflects a longstanding dedication to Māori advancement and flourishing across all spheres of Te Ao Māori (Māori society) and Te Ao Whānui (wider society).
Torise Flay
WIPCE 2025 Event Director
Torise Flay is a proud Pacific wahine hailing from the beautiful shores of Safune, Savai'i, Samoa. With two decades of event management experience, Torise specialises in curating unforgettable experiences that celebrate culture and heritage. Torise has led and produced some of our Major Cultural festivals in Tāmaki Makaurau including Pasifika Festival and Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival. Torise has also successfully orchestrated large-scale celebrations including the Emirates Team NZ Welcome Home parade and All Blacks Welcome Home parade. Torise's passion for showcasing Māori and Pacific culture to the world was enabled through leading the Pasifika activation at the 2021 Rugby World Cup hosted in Aotearoa.
Torise's passion for her work is fuelled by her commitment to showcasing the beauty of culture and creating experiences that promote cultural exchange.
“I am thrilled with the opportunity to be part of the movement that is WIPCE 2025. I am excited at the chance of building the platform that celebrates and honours the rich cultures, histories, and contribution of our Indigenous communities. I am very much looking forward to bringing WIPCE 2025 to our communities and beyond when we host it here in Aotearoa in November 2025”.
Ella Henry
WIPCE 2025 Academic Committee Chair
Iwi (tribal) affiliations: Ngātikahu ki Whangaroa, Te Rārawa, Ngāti Kuri
Professor Ella Henry has a background across multiple disciplines including sociology, business and Māori Indigenous development. She has been actively involved in research, teaching and advocacy for Māori media for over twenty years, which was the focus of her PhD (2012). Ella was a Treaty Negotiator for her Iwi, Ngātikahu ki Whangaroa, and was Chair of the Post-Settlement Governance Entity, as Trustee and Chair, until her appointment as Director of Māori Advancement for the Business School. Prior to that, Ella had taught on and coordinated the Māori Media major in Te Ara Poutama, since she joined AUT in 2007.
Alanis Peacock
WIPCE 2025 Project Coordinator
Iwi (tribal) affiliations: Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Raukawa ki te tonga, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Rangitāne
Alanis Peacock is a motivated and highly organised young professional with a deep passion for her work. She consistently strives to deliver her best in every endeavour. Throughout her career, she has gained diverse experiences in central and local government, as well as corporate organisations.
She has had a range of experience in event and project coordination from supporting in the management of large projects for local councils, and leading programmes that support the success of Māori graduates. Alanis has also been instrumental in organising various events which contribute to the advancement of Māori knowledge and traditions, such as M9, Mānawatia a Matariki and Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori.
Currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Māori development, Alanis continues to demonstrate her dedication to her communities through academic pursuits.
Taituwha King
WIPCE 2025 Cultural Committee Chair
Iwi (tribal) affiliations: Waikato - Ngāti Mahuta ki te hauāuru
Taituwha is a respected expert in Māori customs, protocols, and language, specializing in traditional arts such as haka, waiata, and mōteatea. He has showcased his talents with esteemed national groups like Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato, Mātaatua ki Rotorua, and Waipapa Marae, earning recognition as a cultural leader and ambassador for New Zealand. Taituwha's expertise has taken him around the world, leading delegations to international destinations including Europe, the USA, and the Pacific. Apart from his performance skills, he is a skilled composer, winning the 2022 National Choir Auahi Kore Performance Award for a piece with te reo Māori lyrics.
Taituwha is deeply rooted in his cultural heritage, actively involved in his tribe, Ngāti Mahuta ki te hauāuru, his marae, Te Kooraha, and his community, exemplifying the Māori saying "Tangata i ākona ki te kāinga, tūngia ki te marae, tau ana", emphasizing the importance of honoring one's roots and contributing back to the community. Taituwha King will be joining the WIPCE 2025 Committee as the Chair of the Cultural Committee.
Colleen Leauanae
WIPCE 2025 AUT Project Manager
Iwi (tribal) affiliations: Te Rarawa / Ngāpuhi
Colleen Leauanae (nee Noble) is of Te Rarawa and Ngāpuhi descent, a true mokopuna of Hokianga – Tai Tokerau. She has twenty years’ experience in tertiary education, having held roles in student support and currently as Manager Special Projects, Strategic Relationships and Equity Māori at Auckland University of Technology (AUT).
Colleen’s passion and drive to see our people succeed and can do, get the work done, attitude permeates through everything she does. Colleen has had the privilege of being mentored and inspired by people who have imparted the values of serving our communities selflessly within a fun and uplifting environment. Based in Auckland, Colleen holds governance roles across other organisations, and works diligently in educational and community initiatives that advance iwi, hapū and whānau aspirations.
Rangimarie Te Kanawa-Borell
Kaiwhakahaere | WIPCE 2025 Administrator
Hapu: Ngāti Rora, Ngāti Kinohaku, Ngāti Uekaha
Iwi (tribal) affiliation: Ngāti Maniapoto
As the WIPCE Administrator, I am a passionate and driven individual who takes great pride in my mahi. With a strong foundation in administration and customer relations, I have deep experience assisting and supporting others in a variety of settings. I thrive in environments where I can help others succeed and contribute to the overall smooth operation of an organization.
At my core, I am a creative, a passion I’ve carried with me since I was young. This creativity has greatly influenced my approach to problem-solving and innovation, allowing me to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to everything I do. I am a junior graphic designer with experience in creative design. These experiences enrich my administrative tasks, enabling me to combine creativity with efficiency in my day-to-day work.
I have a deep connection to WIPCE, having attended my first conference at the age of 7 alongside my mother, Aroha Te Kanawa. This early experience shaped my understanding of the kaupapa of WIPCE, and it feels incredible to now be in a position where I can give back to such a meaningful and transformative community. I am committed to furthering the mission of WIPCE and continuing to contribute to its ongoing success and impact.
Lisa Timoti
WIPCE 2025 Project Coordinator
Village Affiliations: Niuatoputapu, Longoteme and Leimatu’a in Tonga
Lisa Timoti is a proud Tongan wahine from the villages of Niuatoputapu, Longoteme and Leimatu’a. She comes with over 8 years of experience in the events industry. She has played key roles in delivering some of Auckland’s most significant cultural festivals, including the Pasifika Festival, Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival, Auckland Lantern Festival, and the Auckland Diwali Festival. Known for her strong work ethic, ability to multitask, and positive, solution-focused mindset, she thrives in dynamic environments and is passionate about creating spaces where culture and community come together. She is excited to be part of WIPCE 2025 and looks forward to welcoming people from around the world to Tāmaki Makaurau - to experience the unique culture and Wairua of this land.
Simone Pakieto
WIPCE 2025 Project Coordinator
Village Affiliations: Niuean (Liku Tamahaleleka, Lakepa Maleloa)
Simone Pakieto is a proud Niuean hailing from the villages of Liku Tamahaleleka and Lakepa Maleloa, with Scottish and Norwegian heritage. She believes one of her greatest achievements in life is being the mother of a large, blended family whose roots span Tonga, Samoa and Māori.
After graduating from AUT with a Bachelor of International Hospitality Management, majoring in Events Management, she feels deeply honoured to now contribute to WIPCE—it’s more than an event, it’s proof that education, culture and community can come full circle.
Simone's passion is bringing cultural stories to life through events that shine a light on identity, diversity and unity. Simone's been privileged to work on large scale cultural celebrations such as Pasifika and Tāmaki Herenga Waka Festival among others — experiences that remind her how vital it is to celebrate our cultures, to learn from each other, and to open hearts and minds by creating space for others to share and belong.
"Working on WIPCE is especially meaningful to me, because it not only aligns with my professional journey, but with my personal values: that culture isn’t just something we preserve, it's something we live, share, evolve and cherish together."
WIPCE CONFERENCE HOST SELECTION CRITERIA AND PROCEDURES
The WIPCE International Council now open Bids for WIPCE Host 2028. See document below for criteria and procedures.