Mokopuna Ora Conference 2025 with Waikato-Tainui

17/10/25

Author: Maioha Tawa

Last week I had the privilege of joining the Data & Insights Team as a Live Illustrator at the Mokopuna Ora Conference 2025, hosted by Waikato-Tainui. The conference was an inspiring space that brought together whaanau, kaimahi and leaders working in the Mokopuna Ora space from across the motu and overseas to koorero, listen, learn and connect to create a brighter future for our future generations.

My role was to listen, and translate the koorero from speakers and guests into real-time visual illustrations by turning stories into visuals that the roopuu could reflect on throughout the waananga. Each drawing became a living record of conversations within workshops. This space allowed me to practice my skills in real-time and I came out with new knowledge, connections and loved working alongside my team.

My highlight was meeting Dr. Claire Achmad - The Children's Commissioner of Aotearoa and being able to live illustrate her workshop on Mokopuna Rights. I was also very excited to be featured in the Honourable Nanaia Mahuta's closing speech, where she showed my illustrations in her presentation slides, and spoke about Ngaati Kahungunu's "Not One More Child" policy.

I also met two amazing and supportive women (Andrea and Ashley) from Interactionz Kirikiriroa who were illustrating the main plenary speeches, and were kind enough to lend me some pastels and pens to take into the workshops where I illustrated the workshop speakers.

The space was so powerful and I was left feeling tired but inspired by the end of the week.