Programme

INVOLVE 2025 recordings

Recordings of keynotes and panels

Check out the keynotes & panel recordings ->

INVOLVE 2025 slides

Slides to come soon whānau!

Check out the presenter slides here ->

Rāpare 07 Ākuhata
Thursday 07 August

REGISTER, GRAB YOUR NAME BADGE CHECK OUT THE EXHIBITION STANDS

8.00am

MIHI WHAKATAU AND WELCOME
MORNING PLENARY SESSION including Dr Claire Achmad, Matua Ruru Hona

*Note music will be apart of the session

9.00am

PARAMANAWA / MORNING TEA

10.30am

11.00am

CONCURRENT SESSION A | Click on the down arrow for more session information

  • Auditorium

    with Dr Claire Achmad Chief Children’s Commissioner, Josiah Tualamali'i, Arena Williams MP and Vanessa Weenink MP, facilitated by Jane Zintl

  • Room: Conway 1(upstairs)

    Inati - Pasifika sharing of resources
    Henio Koloi, Ake Pereira Vibe - Hutt Valley Youth Health Trust

    Loto Tele - Be of good courage
    A creative, musical presentation by local Pasifika youth workers and practitioners in Ōtautahi.
    Ielua Taula - Pou Pasifika
    Sela Faletolu-Fasi - Pou Pasifika
    Dietrich Soakai - Mapu Maia 
    Zchde Sofai - Loto Tele
    Peni Sofai - Loto Tele
    Tusi Elisara - Samoan Methodist Church
    Malia Anitele'a - Ata Mai Creative
    Faith Saimoa Taula - North Beach Samoan Assembly of God
    Vai Punivai - Te Aratai College 
    Silivelio Fasi - Mapu Maia

    Laumālie/Agaga: A pacific lens on how to access and apply spirituality in our mahi
    Dietrich Soakai 

  • Room: Conway 2(upstairs)

    Creating a world without barriers for young disabled people
    Meg Lyster, Olivia Trass, Jack Harwood, Taylah Rasmussen, Hannah Butson, I.Lead

  • Room: Conway 3 (upstairs)

    Autonomy is an action: Supporting youth agency in mentoring relationships
    Dr Hilary Dutton University of Auckland

    Together we thrive: The impact of youth development programmes which unite neuro-diverse youth with peers and local communities
    Leonie King Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award

    Restorative justice in the youth sector: Supporting young people through healing and accountability
    Ari Nicholson The Collaborative Trust for Research & Training in Youth Health & Development

  • Room: Conway 4 (upstairs)

    Words weaving, from writer to witness: Building lasting connections through spoken word
    Ramon Narayan, Ken Arkind, Talia Stanley, Sheldon Rua, Eric Soakai, Koromiko Jacob-Williams Action Education

  • Room: Conway 5 (upstairs)

    Brief intervention tool for working with youth with alcohol and drug use
    Jo Claridge Whāraurau

  • Room: Bealey 1(downstairs)

    Mahi Tūturu
    Ara Taiohi & AUT

  • Room: Bealey 2(downstairs)

    How Microsoft forms and power BI revolutionised our reporting game!
    Tarannah Poletti-vette, Terry Watts Mahitahi Hauora

    ‘Better together: Measuring impact as a collective'
    Shaz Reece Te Rourou-One Foundation

    Hands for impact™: Telling the story of youth work in Aotearoa with Social Return on Investment (SROI)
    Claudia Wace, Dr Marie Nissanka Hands for Impact™

  • Room: Bealey 3(downstairs)

    Hosted by Ember Innovations and The Kings Trust

    Unconferencing is a participant-led session format that flips the traditional conference model—attendees set the agenda, spark the discussion, and shape the outcomes. It’s an open, flexible space to explore shared interests, dive deeper into topics, and connect through spontaneous conversation and collaboration.

  • Room: Bealey 4&5 (downstairs)

    Mō Āpōpō future-makers: Equipping rangatahi to shape a better tomorrow
    Amy Knudsen Tokona Te Raki

12.15pm

WĀ TINA / LUNCH

1.15pm

CONCURRENT SESSION B | Click on the down arrow for more session information

  • Auditorium

    To age or not to age - That is not the question. The youth development sectors’ role in online safety.
    Terryann Clark University of Auckland, Lola Fisher Gen-Z Aotearoa, Kate Whitaker Classification Office, Vince Nathan VOYCE Whakarongo Mai, facilitated by Vira Paky

  • Room: Conway 1(upstairs)

    Passion-powered careers: A cohesive model for youth skills development and employer engagement
    Jigna Desai, Kings Trust Australia

    25 Years of Kotahitanga: The Mayors Taskforce for Jobs and the future of youth employment
    Tammie Metcalfe Mayors Taskforce for Jobs

    Youth consumer, peer support, and lived experience workforce 
    Eden Grimwood, Liam Teichmann Whāraurau

    HUA Rangatahi: Where Hauora, Hustle, and Hope Meet Dr. Moana Mitchell (Ph.D., RSW) Manager, Te Korowai Aroha Whānau Services 

  • Room: Conway 2 (upstairs)

    Intersectionality 101 in youth work
    Amy Knudsen, Tokona te Raki, Mau te Rangimarie Clark, University of Otago, Melissa Lama, Ministry for Pacific Peoples

  • Room: Conway 3 (upstairs)

    The changing landscape of primary youth mental health in Aotearoa: Increasing risk,complexity, and youth-led solutions
    Liz Hosking-Clement Youthline

    Rooted in connection: Planting seeds of mental wellbeing with Potplant Studio
    Joshua Peauafi Potplant Studio

    Understanding Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI): A compassionate approach
    Dr Kirsty Fraser Dr Kirsty Coaching

    Working together to achieve improved youth mental health and wellbeing in Aotearoa
    Dr Ella Cullen, Katie Sherriff Te Hiringa Mahara (Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission)

  • Room: Conway 4(upstairs)

    Unity in action: Trans inclusion in an age of disinformation
    Mace Malcolm and LaraMoses InsideOUT Kōaro, Jen Shields Qtopia

  • Room: Conway 5(upstairs)

    Eco-ethics climate justice and youth workshop
    Rod Baxter The King’s Trust, and Jane Zintl Ara Taiohi with colleagues from Victoria University Australia: Prof. Tim Corney, Silkom Powell, Dr Alison Baker and Fiona Macdonald.

  • Room: Bealey 1(downstairs)

    Faith it ‘till we make it - Mana at the centre of faith-based youth work
    Richard Bell Youth Work Wellington, Zara Maslin Laidlaw College

  • Room: Bealey 2 (downstairs)

    Showing up when it matters
    Agnes Napia, Mike Tsang, Blair Nathan, Diako Abdullazada Te Hā Oranga

  • Room: Bealey 3(downstairs)

    Hosted by Ember Innovations and The Kings Trust

    Unconferencing is a participant-led session format that flips the traditional conference model—attendees set the agenda, spark the discussion, and shape the outcomes. It’s an open, flexible space to explore shared interests, dive deeper into topics, and connect through spontaneous conversation and collaboration.

  • Room: Bealey 4&5 (downstairs)

    Pou Pasifika workshop

2.30pm

PARAMANAWA / AFTERNOON TEA

AFTERNOON PLENARY SESSION
including Dr MahMah Timoteo, Tyler Ngatai, and Andre Afamasaga

*Note music will be apart of the session

3.00pm

4.15pm

Day one of INVOLVE concludes 

We will have a special guest of our Youth Minister, James Meager.

Non-alcoholic drinks and nibbles provided. Cash bar avaliable if you choose to purchase a beverage.

Head out to the Exhibition space for Happy Hour till 5.30pm!

Whanaketanga i Aotearoa: Ngā Tahuhu Kōrero A History of Youth Work in Aotearoa by John Harrington. Click HERE to register

John Harringtons Book release 5.30pm-7pm

Rāmere 08 Ākuhata
Friday 08 August


WELCOME TO DAY TWO
MORNING PLENARY SESSION
including Eru Kapa-Kingi and Riana Te Ngahue

*Note music will be apart of the session

9.00am

PARAMANAWA / MORNING TEA

10.30am

11.00am

CONCURRENT SESSION C | Click on the down arrow for more session information

  • Auditorium

    with Andy Coster Social Investment Agency, Claudia Wace Hands for Imapct, Shaz Reece Te Rourou - One NZ Foundation, and Sarah Finlay-Robinson Pou Manaaki Taiohi o Aotearoa facilitated by Chillion Sanerivi

  • Room: Conway 1(upstairs)

    Connecting Youth Workers to Strengthen Support for Rainbow Rangatahi
    Lara Moses InsideOUT Kōaro

    Joy in Community: Highlights from the Ōtautahi Rainbow Rangatahi Expo
    Mace Malcolm InsideOUT Kōaro

    Advocating for rainbow rangatahi in the wider world
    Jennifer Shields Qtopia

    Mana Tipua: Community as Transformation for Rainbow Rangatahi
    Kiwa Kahukura Denton Mana Tipua

  • Room: Conway 2(upstairs)

    STOP, BLOCK & TALK® Digital wellbeing & safety workshop
    Neysa Koizumi The Collaborative for Research & Training in Youth Health & Development 

  • Room: Conway 3(upstairs)

    “Not these questions, again!” How (and why) we wrote a report about the experiences of rangatahi without asking them to tell us their stories
    Ihorangi Reweti Peters, Lisa McLaren, Kirsten Smith VOYCE - Whakarongo Mai 

    Mai World, My World - Mana Mokopuna sharing on the United Nations Convention Rights of the Child
    Mana Mokopuna Children and Young Person’s Commission

  • Room: Conway 4(upstairs)

    Casting light in the shadows - Extending youth work to young people in adult prisons
    Ashley Shearar Young Adult Justice Expert

  • Room: Conway 5(upstairs)

    Reconnect with Mixit mahi - straight up and real
    Wendy Preston, Izadine Ahmat Abdallah, Kaviesha Abeysinghe-Perera,Oscar Arnold,Sajal Taneja
    The Mixit Charitable Trust

  • Room: Bealey 1 (downstairs)

    Valentine Tauamiti The Youth Impact Foundation

  • Room: Bealey 2(downstairs)

    Building NightWise: Creating safety without fear or blame
    Jules Puckle, Sylvia Bellingham Rape Prevention Education

    Evaluation of the first phase of the Youth Hub CHCH
    Harriet Fraser University of Canterbury

    Learnings from Auckland’s largest youth centre
    Conin Bowker Shore Junction

    Young people are diverse, and they need diverse housing options
    Danielle Marra Waipuna Young Parents Development team. Rachel Taege Christchurch Methodist Mission Youth Hub Housing. Tania Smith Christchurch Methodist Mission Youth Housing

  • Room: Bealey 3(downstairs)

    Hosted by Ember Innovations and The Kings Trust

    Unconferencing is a participant-led session format that flips the traditional conference model—attendees set the agenda, spark the discussion, and shape the outcomes. It’s an open, flexible space to explore shared interests, dive deeper into topics, and connect through spontaneous conversation and collaboration.

  • Room: Bealey 4&5 (downstairs)

    Eru Kapa-Kingi, Riana Te Ngahue
    Facilitated by Amanda Smith, Raniera Pane

12.15pm

WĀ TINA / LUNCH

1.15pm

Concurrent session D | Click on the down arrow for more session information

  • Room: Conway 1(upstairs)

    “It’s about no shame, no blame – just support” Māngai Whakatipu
    Lucia Campbell-Reeves, Paolo Reid, Society of Youth Health Professionals Aotearoa (SYHPANZ)

    Supporting Rangatahi Impacted by cancer
    Sasha Finlay Canteen Aotearoa

    Empowering futures: Exploring the role of school nurses and rangatahi wellbeing in New Zealand 
    Lara Wall University of Waikato

  • Room: Conway 2(upstairs)

    The new digital sexual landscape – Equipping the youth workforce 
    Nikki Denholm The Light Project

    Starting early: The role of RSE in addressing harmful online sexual material with tamariki and rangatahi Neysa Koizumi, The Collaborative for Research & Training in Youth Health & Development 

    From wolf whistles to catfishing!  Responding to the shifting landscape of sexualised behaviour in 2025
    Rebekah Fraser, Lyn Jansen Stop Services

    Sexting, nudes, and sextortion: Supporting young people to stay safe online Neysa Koizumi, The Collaborative for Research & Training in Youth Health & Development 

  • Room: Conway 3(upstairs)

    Tou Ake Mana: Whirinaki ka eke ki runga 
    Justina Webster, Sharn Webster, Jordan Pahina, Aria Webster-Pahina School of Social Work

    Focus on young women’s wellbeing
    Zeta Mohn YWCA of Hamilton

    Bodies, Boundaries and Being Me: Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa’s new programme for people with intellectual disabilities.
    Leah Rothman Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa

    Ko Au, Whanau, Whanaungatanga, Whakawhanaungatanga – Creating FASD supports through connections
    Tania Henderson, The Collaborative for Research & Training in Youth Health & Development 

  • Room: Conway 4(upstairs)

    This workshop offers an opportunity to address a critical issue facing our young people and communities. Collaboratively facilitated by a working group of experienced youth workers, we invite you to engage with a crucial new resource designed to support young people. Drawing on lessons learned and as a positive, proactive response ongoing pervasive radicalisation, we will delve into understanding the evolving faces of white supremacy and introduce the 'radicalisation funnel'. This is not just a presentation, it's a call to action and we need your insights. Review the draft resource, offer your invaluable input, and help us refine this tool for other youth workers.  Ara Taiohi

  • Room: Conway 5(upstairs)

    Youth development within a Hawaiiki Hou workshop
    Matt Renata

    In this wānanga we'll explore the concept of a ‘Hawaiiki Hou’, a powerful vision of the revitalisation and transformation for Māori and Pasifika traditions within youth development. An ancient kaupapa that was recently spoken aloud by Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke at the Wellington hikoi. Hawaiiki Hou offers a pathway to reimagine youth development in Aotearoa New Zealand, centering taiohi in our shared whakapapa, identity, culture, and tikanga.

    This workshop invites all youth development practitioners, especially those from Māori and Pasifika backgrounds, to engage in meaningful kōrero about how Hawaiiki Hou can inspire current youth development frameworks such as Mana Taiohi, the Code of Ethics, and beyond. Together, we will explore how this evolving concept supports us to navigate a rapidly changing world. This wānanga is our space to connect, learn, and get inspired about the future of youth development.

  • Room: Bealey 1 (downstairs)

    Practical applications of intersectionality workshop
    Elbie Burnett Northwest Anglican Parish

  • Room: Bealey 2 (downstairs)

    Hannah Dunlop, ReVision and Sarah Finlay-Robinson, InCommonNZ
    Piper Pengelly, Eliot Forrest, Erana Riddell

  • Room: Bealey 3(downstairs)

    Hosted by Ember Innovations and The Kings Trust

    Un-conferencing is a participant-led session format that flips the traditional conference model—attendees set the agenda, spark the discussion, and shape the outcomes. It’s an open, flexible space to explore shared interests, dive deeper into topics, and connect through spontaneous conversation and collaboration.

  • Room: Bealey 4&5 (downstairs)

    Strengths-based practice and mana in positive youth development workshop
    Penny Prescott, Angelina Tivalu Youth Development Champions Project

PARAMANAWA / AFTERNOON TEA - GRAB AND GO, with a gelato

2.30pm

AFTERNOON PLENARY SESSION
including Chris Jansen

*Note music will be apart of the session

2.45pm

4.00pm

INVOLVE 2025 finishes

 

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