Thousands gather for WIPCE 2025
Haere mai e ngā iwi taketake o te ao
Haere mai ki ahau o Ngāti Whātua
Ki Te Kahu Tōpuni o Tuperiri
Haere mai, e tau, e tau, e tau nei e
Iwi manaaki for this week's World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education (WIPCE 2025), Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, welcomed more than 3000 Indigenous knowledge holders, educators and leaders from across the globe in a powerful pōwhiri hosted at The Cloud on November 16. WIPCE 2025 is hosted by Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau – Auckland University of Technology.
WIPCE is the world’s largest and most significant event dedicated to Indigenous education. With 3800 registered delegates, WIPCE 2025 is set to be the biggest academic conference in the history of Aotearoa, and also the country’s largest conference hosted this year. This morning’s pōwhiri set the tone for a momentous week grounded in Indigenous excellence, connection and purpose.
“Our gathering comes at a pivotal time not only for the future direction of Indigenous education but for Indigenous rights more broadly, and we are immensely grateful for the pōwhiri yesterday hosted by iwi manaaki, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, which highlighted the sheer importance of those themes within the unique dimensions of Indigenous ceremony, language and ritual,” says WIPCE 2025 Co-Chair Meihana Durie, Te Toi Aronui at AUT.
It’s the first time in 20 years that Aotearoa New Zealand has hosted this event, uniting voices from across the world to celebrate, preserve and advance Indigenous knowledge, languages and ways of learning. A large number of the delegates are international and have flown to Tāmaki Makaurau for this prestigious event.
“As the tangata whenua of central Tāmaki, we were proud to launch this very special kaupapa, leading the pōwhiri and welcoming the many indigenous nations to our lands,” says Marama Royal, Heawahine (Chairperson), Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.
Following the official opening, a ‘Parade of Nations’ of more than 4000 travelled from Queen Street to Aotea Square, showcasing at least 20 diverse countries attending WIPCE. Delegates were proudly dressed in their Indigenous kākahu (attire), filling Auckland’s city centre with colour and pride.
Durie says, “Both the pōwhiri and Parade of Nations were potent expressions of our unity as Indigenous Peoples. They reminded us that every aspect of this conference is grounded in tikanga and our shared values, and that our true strength lies in standing together as one.”
WIPCE International Council Chair, Dr Noe Noe Wong-Wilson says this morning was an affirmation of Indigeneity.
“WIPCE is the only educational platform designed specifically for native peoples from around the world to come together to share our stories, our challenges and our successes with each other. Coming to Aotearoa and being welcomed in the Māori way was beautiful, especially to see The Cloud completely full, it was really emotional.”
The celebrations continued at the Te Ao Pūtahi Festival, where the public enjoyed live performances by Ngā Tūmanako, Sons of Zion, Corrella, Jackson Owens, Betty-Anne, IA and Seth Haapu. This vibrant and free event features different ‘ao’ or ‘worlds’, focusing on culture, food, healing and trade. Indigenous stallholders will be providing free hands-on creative workshops and storytelling sessions, as well as selling kai and gifts. Te Ao Pūtahi is open daily until Thursday 20 November, from 11 am each day.
With welcoming formalities complete, the official programme for WIPCE 2025 begins today, featuring an exceptional line up of keynote and guest speakers, including Distinguished Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith, Dr Mere Skerrett, Associate Professor Jeffrey Ansloos, Dr Teina Rongo and Cliff Curtis.
WIPCE 2025 Co-Chair Damon Salesa says it’s an honour to host such an extraordinary range of speakers.
“Each kaikōrero brings their unique perspectives and knowledge. This conference is an opportunity to listen, learn and be inspired by those who continue to lead and shape Indigenous education across the world,” says Salesa.
More than 3,000 delegates are also taking part in 21 Te Ao Tirotiro hosted cultural excursions held during the week throughout Tāmaki Makaurau - from waka sailing on the Waitematā to hāngī. These excursions introduce delegates to te ao Māori, manaakitanga and New Zealand’s unique cultural tourism.
WIPCE 2025 will run until Thursday 20 November, concluding with a closing ceremony and karakia, marking a week of learning, connection and kōtahitanga (unity).