Toi Tangata Hosts Maori Health Symposium

Tuesday 4 April 2017

For Immediate Release

Toi Tangata Hosts Maori Nutrition And Physical Activity Symposium

The Toi Tangata Symposium 2017 brings together visionaries from around the motu for a unique, interdisciplinary opportunity to share andinform kaupapa Māori health approaches, create opportunities to share innovative ideas, and make new connections within and across sectors.

On April 5-6 2017, key stakeholders working for Māori communities will converge in Auckland to explore themes around understanding levers of change and systems thinking through a Māori lens with a strong focus on advocacy.

Held at Te Mahurehure Cultural Marae, the symposium offers a variety of sessions of thought-provoking kōrero, interactive workshops and structured physical activities, allowing participants to sample a true cross-section of future thinking.

“For this symposium we have drawn inspiration from the whakatauāki ‘Ka tika te whakatō purapura o āianei, Ka tika te puāwai hua o āmuri, Careful and deliberate planting will ensure good growth for the future,’” says Megan Tunks, Toi Tangata CEO.

“We are excited for participants to explore ways that contribute to the application of this kaupapa within contemporary Māori settings.”

The event will feature key thought leaders including Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand MP, Marama Davidson, who will be talking about smart advocacy, and newly launched Maori Movement founder, Beez Te Waati, who joins a panel discussing kapa haka as a vehicle for improved health.

The symposium attracts a mix of professionals at all levels, including practitioners in government and the health sector, educators and researchers, as well as providing opportunities to connect iwi, health promoters, Māori academics, students, and community leaders, from across the country and challenging them to consider how their respective communities might best flourish through new and innovative ways of promoting Māori physical activity and nutrition.

The symposium will be followed by the opportunity to participate in Toi Ako professional development workshops, delivered by leading Māori nutrition and physical activity practitioners on April 6. These concurrent sessions include either a Kai or a Wai workshop. Rob Hewitt will join the team of experienced practitioners to deliver the water component of the workshops which hones in on three current critical issues: water quality, sugary drinks, and water safety.

A highly-anticipated opportunity to come together to improve knowledge translation, nurture whakawhanaungatanga and create a collective and strategic voice, the Toi Tangata Symposium is not to be missed. For the full symposium programme, visit http://toitangata.co.nz/events/toi-tangata-symposium-2017.

ENDS

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