Te Ao Turi Māori me Te Ao Māori National Conference

Empowering Voices | Strengthening Identity | Shaping Our Future

25-26 November 2026
University of Waikato

This inaugural conference is brought to you by:

The purpose of the Conference is to build allyship, identity, understanding, accessibility and inclusion between Turi Māori/Māori Deaf and hearing Māori. Turi Māori have for too long experienced minimal access within Te Ao Māori spaces including within iwi, hapū and marae.  Conversely, hearing Māori have little understanding of Turi Māori culture, and there continue to be barriers between understanding and access to Te Reo Māori (spoken and signed) and NZSL (New Zealand Sign Language).  This conference intends to break down some of these barriers and build meaningful understanding, identity and allyship in order to improve access for all.

Keynote addresses and workshop presentations will support the following four conference pou.  These pou are integral to achieving the intended outcomes of the conference.