As a Māori woman of Ngāti Pūkenga ki Ngāti Maru, raised in Tauranga Moana and now based in Tāmaki Makaurau, I bring a rangatahi Māori perspective to public health and mental wellbeing. Grounded in mātauranga Māori and informed by my academic training in psychology and public health, my work sits at the intersection of Indigenous wellbeing, youth leadership, and systems change.

Through kaupapa Māori practice and global public health experiences across India, Japan, and Malawi, I have seen firsthand the gaps that exist when wellbeing systems are not designed with community, culture, and lived experience at the centre. These experiences have not only broadened my understanding of global inequities but have also strengthened my commitment to bringing knowledge, insights, and resources back to my people and communities.

As a youth advocate and leader across national and international platforms, I am passionate about ensuring rangatahi Māori are not only included in conversations but are empowered as decision-makers shaping the systems that impact them. This includes advocating for the revitalisation of te reo Māori as a foundation for identity, wellbeing, and equitable outcomes.

This presentation will explore how rangatahi Māori leadership, grounded in culture and lived experience, can transform wellbeing systems both locally and globally. It will highlight the importance of Indigenous knowledge, the power of youth voice, and the responsibility of returning home with knowledge to uplift our own communities.