The World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education (WIPCE) has announced its final line-up of Indigenous leaders and trailblazers who will take the stage at one of the world’s largest and most significant Indigenous education gatherings in Tāmaki Makaurau this November.
WIPCE is a global movement to honour, preserve, and advance Indigenous education. As it returns to Aotearoa for the first time in 20 years it will be hosted by Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makaurau – AUT, at Aotea Centre from 16-20 November, 2025.
WIPCE 2025 Co-Chair, Meihana Durie, notes the significance of Indigenous conversations taking place right now ahead of the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples on 9 August.
“With just 100 days to go until WIPCE 2025, and as the world celebrates Indigenous peoples tomorrow, what better time to spotlight a global stage that exists to elevate Indigenous voices,” says Durie.
The 12 world renowned academic speakers who will ignite ideas and action around areas of significance to Indigenous self determination are:
Keynote Speakers
- Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith – Education Systems and Practices
- Ani Mikaere – Politics, Self-Determination and Decolonisation
- Eru Kapa-Kingi – Youth
- Mere Skerrett – Science and Technology
- Teina Rongo – Environment and Climate
- Jeffery Ansloos – Health and Wellbeing
- Katie Wolfe – Creative Arts and Media
- Leonie Pihama – Linguistic and Cultural Revitalisation
- Raniera Procter – Linguistic and Cultural Revitalisation.
Guest Speakers:
- Rosa Hibbert-Schooner
- Dr Jon Osorio
- Spero Manson.
The speakers will join thousands of Indigenous knowledge holders, educators, and leaders from across the globe at a near sold-out conference.
For those not attending the official activities but keen to get involved in the movement, the free Te Ao Pūtahi Festival is running alongside WIPCE 2025 in Aotea Square.
Durie, says the five-day Festival ensures the community gets a chance to join in celebrating indigeneity.
“WIPCE 2025 is for all to come and take part in one of the world's leading movements for Indigenous excellence in education. Te Ao Pūtahi Festival invites the wider public to experience the living culture and innovation of Indigenous peoples from all corners of the globe.”
Te Ao Pūtahi Festival will offer a vibrant and accessible experience for locals and manuhiri to share in Indigenous food stalls, artisan markets, cultural performances, hands-on creative workshops, and storytelling sessions that honour the mana and diversity of Indigenous cultures globally.
About WIPCE 2025
WIPCE is more than a conference every three years, it’s a global movement. Since its inception in 1987 WIPCE has united Indigenous educators, leaders and knowledge keepers in a shared vision – to honour, preserve and advance Indigenous education.
As WIPCE 2025 welcomes Indigenous peoples from across the world to the shores of Te Waitematā, it continues to bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and formal education – ensuring Indigenous wisdom is both honoured and integrated.
The WIPCE 2025 programme launch event will be held at AUT City Campus, from 6pm – 9.30pm on 21 August.