THE PROGRAMME
The final programme is here. Explore two days of keynote addresses, research, community perspectives and practical conversations shaping the future of prevention and Universal Wellbeing in New Zealand.
| No. | Time | Session | Presenter | Presentation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.30 am | Conference Welcome | |||
| 1 | 9.40 am | Opening Keynote 1 Address |
Right Hon Paul Goldsmith Minister for Justice |
Keeping Everyone Safe: Reducing Crime and Impact on Victims The Minister will outline New Zealand’s recent progress and strategies to reduce victimisation and its impact in New Zealand. |
| 2 | 10.15 am | Morning Tea | ||
| 3 | 10.30 am | Keynote 2 |
Susan Stevenson Director FREEDOM Wellbeing Institute |
Universal Wellbeing Model (UWM) A Living Theory This session summarises the development and components in the evidence-based Universal Wellbeing Model first published in 2023. Research questions were: what is wellbeing, how it is influenced, and how it can be improved and sustained over time. |
| 4 | 12.00 pm | Emma Hunter |
Emma Hunter Deputy Principal Founder, BrainHug Charitable Trust |
Wired to Thrive: Neuroplasticity, Belonging and the Prevention Imperative Emma Hunter will explore how sensory inputs, cognitive processing, belonging, and relational safety interact to support neuroplasticity, resilience, and wellbeing, shifting the focus from crisis response towards prevention. |
| 5 | 12.30 pm | Lunch | ||
| 6 | 1.15 pm | Keynote 3 |
Professor Chris Wilkins NZ Drug Trends research team Massey University |
Measuring Drug Harm: New Evidence for Prevention and Policy Professor Wilkins will present early findings from the new Substance Outcome Harm Index, revealing which drugs cause the greatest harm and where prevention, policy and enforcement should focus. |
| 7 | 2.00 pm | Keynote 4 |
Anna Perez Principal Advisor to the Chief Executive National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges |
When Home Is Not Safe: Preventing Family Violence & Strengthening Whānau Wellbeing Anna Perez will share how stronger systems, community action and prevention can improve safety and long-term wellbeing for individuals and whānau. |
| 8 | 2.45 pm | Presenter 1 |
Dr Syeda Sadia Farzana Family Physician (Bangladesh) & IBCLC | Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader, ATMC New Zealand |
Breastfeeding as Primordial Prevention: A Universal Wellbeing Approach Dr Farzana will explore how breastfeeding influences health, development, and family wellbeing, and why it should be recognised as a powerful early prevention strategy. |
| 9 | 3.15 pm | Afternoon Tea | ||
| 10 | 3.30 pm | Keynote 5 |
Dr Syed Shahid Eastern Institute of Technology |
Measuring What Matters: Turning Wellbeing Investment into Real Outcomes Dr Shahid will examine why significant wellbeing investment does not always deliver measurable change, and how stronger evidence, systems and accountability can improve long-term outcomes. |
| 11 | 4.15 pm | Keynote 6 |
Dr Denise Kingi-‘Ulu’ave CEO Le Va |
Preventing Suicide: The Evidence That New Zealand Can Succeed Dr Kingi-Uluave will examine proven prevention approaches and what New Zealand must do to reduce suicide and strengthen long-term wellbeing. |
| 12 | 5.00 pm | Day ends | Day One Ends | |
| 6.00 pm | Optional | À la carte menu – All Welcome | College of Professional Universal Wellbeing Practitioners Dinner – Graduation | |
| No. | Time | Session | Presenter | Presentation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9.00 am | Keynotes 7 & 8 |
Shamubeel Eaqub Chief Economist Simplicity Professor Kay Fielden New Zealand Curriculum Design Institute |
National Cohesion: Why Universal Wellbeing Matters Shamubeel Eaqub will introduce a national social cohesion report. Professor Kay Fielden will extend the picture through a Universal Wellbeing lens and urge considerations of the intellectual, ethnic, cultural, emotional, and spiritual in the future. |
| 2 | 9.45 am | Keynote 9 |
Dr Tasdik Hasan Policy and Advocacy Lead, Mental Health Council of Tasmania, Australia |
Wellbeing for Everyone: Building Inclusive Systems for Deaf/Disabled Communities Dr Hasan will examine how policy, services and prevention can remove barriers and improve long-term wellbeing for Deaf people and people with disabilities. |
| 3 | 10.30 am | Morning Tea | ||
| 10.45 am |
Foram Shah Inclusive Education & Neurodiversity Teacher and Consultant NSW, Australia |
From Reactive Support to Preventative Design Foram will apply the Universal Wellbeing Model to Inclusive Education and Neurodiversity Practice, exploring how system-level approaches can strengthen inclusion, wellbeing, and educational outcomes for both learners and educators. |
||
| 4 | 11.15 am | Community Wellbeing Leaders Panel |
Community Wellbeing Leaders: Peter Wilson | SAMs Robyn Hoffman | Real World Living Vishal Rishi | The Asian Network Inc. Anne Degia-Pala | Auckland Council Kevin Lamb | Age Concern Auckland |
Empowering Community Voices: Transforming Universal Wellbeing in New Zealand Community leaders and organisations in New Zealand face significant barriers when fostering community wellbeing. This panel will share practical challenges and approaches to preventing avoidable harms, strengthening inclusion, improving wellbeing, and realising the potential of more New Zealanders. |
| 5 | 12.15 pm | Lunch | ||
| 6 | 1.00 pm |
Susan Stevenson Director, New Zealand Curriculum Design Institute |
Universal Wellbeing Evaluation(UWE), Interventions, a Systems that Lifts Achievement An overview of the UWE and research demonstrating how a Universal Wellbeing Evaluation and Literacy (U WEL) Intervention reduced dropout rates and increased program completions. |
|
| 7 | 1.45 pm | New Universal Wellbeing Research |
Professor Kay Fielden Dr Tasdik Hasan Susan Stevenson Sifaga Sa'o |
An Exploration of Wellbeing - Grounded Theory and Action Investigation This interactive session is designed to locate new wellbeing knowledge and inform the Public Health Australian Association Position Paper and Policy Development in 2027; plus, multiple Investigations of Universal Wellbeing Interventions with diverse populations. |
| 8 | 2.00 pm | Presentation |
Laura Ross Principal Advisor Wellbeing System Leadership, | Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission |
Contributing to better and equitable mental health and wellbeing outcomes for all people in Aotearoa New Zealand Laura will explain how Te Hiringa Mahara uses evidence to support fairer mental health and wellbeing outcomes across Aotearoa New Zealand. |
| 9 | 2.45 pm |
Universal Wellbeing Charter: Realizing a Primordial Prevention Vision in New Zealand The case for a community led primordial Prevention dedicated new entity and Universal Wellbeing strategy to measurably reduce harm realise the potential of more New Zealanders. |
||
| 10 | 3.00 pm |
Hon Casey Costello Minister for Seniors NZ First |
Make New Zealand Healthy Again-Putting prevention back at the heart of healthcare. The above new policy will be outlined. The policy aligns with the aspirations of the conference and echoes a global shift in the direction of healthcare. |
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| 3.25 pm | Day Ends | Final Announcements, Conference ends & AT | ||