Nōku te Ao Symposium | Tāmaki 2025
Ngā mihi nui to everyone who attended the Nōku te Ao Symposium: He reo tini, he wawata kotahi – Many voices, one goal to end mental distress discrimination.
It was a day filled with kōrero, connection and collective insights. From Egan Bidois’ powerful message about tuning into our inner voices with compassion, to Jehan Casinader’s raw and honest reflections on supporting people without focusing on the ‘label’, and Dr. Karlo Mila’s deep call to return to ancestral ways of healing and collective responsibility, the day was filled with vulnerability, strength and hope.
Our panel of lived experience advocates reminded us that while systems can be slow to respond, community already holds many of the answers and healing often happens in the spaces outside diagnoses. The Te Kete Pounamu workshop invited us to look beyond what is seen, into the spaces that are less visible but just as important in understanding distress and belonging.
Building on the success of the Nōku te Ao Symposium, we are excited to announce that we will be hosting Nōku te Ao wānanga in the regions - stay tuned for more updates.