Thousands of First Peoples educators and knowledge holders from the around world coming together isn't just historic, it comes at a "pivotal time" to shape the future, the World Indigenous Peoples' Conference on Education co-chair says.
The Conference - WIPCE - convenes in Aotearoa/NZ this week.
3,800 delegates are registered to attend - making it the biggest academic conference in the country's history and largest conference generally Aotearoa will host this year.
Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau - Auckland University of Technology houses the five-day event, which kicked off with a pōwhiri (Māori welcome ceremony) on Sunday.
"Our gathering comes at a pivotal time not only for the future direction of Indigenous education but for Indigenous rights more broadly, and we are immensely grateful for the pōwhiri yesterday hosted by iwi manaaki, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, which highlighted the sheer importance of those themes within the unique dimensions of Indigenous ceremony, language and ritual," WIPCE co-Chair Meihana Durie said.
Durie added the pōwhiri and accompanying Parade of Nations "were potent expressions of our unity as Indigenous Peoples" highlighting "shared values, and that our true strength lies in standing together as one".
Mr Durie is the hosting university's Te Toi Aronui (head of Māori scholarly leadership).
WIPCE moves on to four days of presentation and discussion will canvas education systems and practices, health and wellbeing, the environment and climate, politics, self-determination, decolonisation, science and technology and youth - all driven by global First Peoples' knowledge, beginning Monday.
30 percent of attending delegates are from Australia, with representatives Canada, Yukon, Greenland, Guam, Botswana, Hawaii and the host nation, among others, also joining.
Keynote speakers include distinguished Māori voices in education, creative fields, politics and decolonisation, and language, as well as international expertise in health and the environment.
"WIPCE is the only educational platform designed specifically for native peoples from around the world to come together to share our stories, our challenges and our successes with each other," Native Hawaiian and WIPCE International Council Chair Dr Noe Noe Wong-Wilson said.
Aotearoa last hosted the conference two decades ago.
Damon Salesa is another co-Chair of WIPCE 2025. As Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau - Auckland University of Technology vice-chancellor, he is the first Pasifika person to hold the level of academic position in the history of Aoteraoa/New Zealand.
"Each kaikōrero brings their unique perspectives and knowledge. This conference is an opportunity to listen, learn and be inspired by those who continue to lead and shape Indigenous education across the world," he said.
