Working to End Racial Oppression Conference 2025

Conference date

9-12 February 2025

Location

The Pā, The University of Waikato - Hamilton New Zealand, Hillcrest Road Hamilton New Zealand 3216

Organised by

WERO: Working to End Racial Oppression

Cost

$300-$600

This conference aims to advance decolonisation both politically and intellectually, challenge and dismantle the institutional foundations of racism, and expose the violent forms of racism that pervade societies globally.

Register for this event

Listing of training and other events does not constitute endorsement by the New Zealand Family Violence Clearinghouse. Information is as provided by the organiser. For further information or queries about training or events, please contact the organiser using the links or contact details provided.

Conference theme

Copied from the conference website:

"Racism is one of the most pressing challenges facing the world today. Rooted in deep historical legacies, it continues to shape contemporary issues in Aotearoa, New Zealand, and beyond. Racism manifests in various forms, contributing to systems and structures that perpetuate inequitable outcomes for Indigenous peoples and minoritised ethnic groups across nearly every indicator of wellbeing. To effectively challenge racial discrimination, it is essential to critically examine the extent of racism and the mechanisms through which it is sustained. Such an examination is crucial for developing transformative strategies to dismantle these systems. The pervasive effects of racism, reinforced by its entrenchment in many current political agendas, demand more than intellectual discourses. Addressing racism requires a commitment to solidarity, political action, and societal transformation.

In Aotearoa, the WERO: Working to End Racial Oppression research programme has been dedicated to this cause for the past five years. The programme focuses on identifying the extent and persistence of racism, scrutinising both institutional and interpersonal forms of racial oppression, and developing strategies to mitigate its effects on society. In 2025, WERO will host an international conference at the University of Waikato, gathering researchers, activists, and community members from Aotearoa and around the world to explore pathways to combat racial oppression.

This conference aims to advance decolonisation both politically and intellectually, challenge and dismantle the institutional foundations of racism, and expose the violent forms of racism that pervade societies globally. Achieving racial justice demands not only critical hope for alternative futures but also active solidarity and resistance. We invite submissions that demonstrate work towards ending racial oppression and look forward to shared connections and conversations."

The keynote speakers and their bios can be viewed online. The list includes, among others, Linda Tuhiwai smith (Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Porou), Donna Cormack (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe), and Nate Rew.