About us

The Moko Foundation is a non-profit charitable trust established to build a better Aotearoa New Zealand through health, leadership and education.

The Moko Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to enhancing the well-being of New Zealand (Aotearoa) through health, leadership, and education initiatives. Founded in 2011 by Dr. Lance O’Sullivan and Tracy MacFarlane, it works to improve lives and foster positive change across communities.

With a holistic focus on health, leadership, and education, the foundation empowers individuals and promotes a brighter future for Aotearoa.

The Moko Foundation has a growing impact, with many rangatahi benefiting from its leadership programs and mentor network, helping them develop skills to uplift their communities.

Waharoa ki te Toi, a research center in Kaitaia, advances health outcomes by generating new knowledge. This unique partnership between the Moko Foundation and the Maurice Wilkins Centre unites over 150 top scientists and clinicians to drive impactful health research.

The foundation’s success is fueled by its dedicated staff, whose passion and hard work drive positive change in health, leadership, and education across Aotearoa.

Learn more

Our past projects

2015

Hawea Vercoe Leadership Academy

The Hawea Vercoe Leadership Programme was the rangatahi engagement arm of the Moko Foundation and focuses on empowering rangatahi to explore opportunities to build a better Aotearoa New Zealand.

Click to read more
2015

2017

Fructose in Schools Study (FISS)

The Fructose in Schools Study (FISS) was initiated by the MOKO Foundation in 2017 to rural schools within the Far North. This research is trying to understand more about the rates of absorption of the sugar fructose across the New Zealand population and the effects this has on metabolic health outcomes. The MOKO Foundations role in this program is delivering this initiative to Far North schools as a means to educate students about the science of sugar and importance of health whilst capturing relevant data. 

Click to read more.
2017

2018

CrebRF

We carried out a study here in the Far North that looked at Gene variants in Māori men & its association with height, BMI & type 2 diabetes. 

Click here to read about the outcomes of the research. 
2018

2019

iMOKO

iMOKO was a virtual health initiative established by The Moko Foundation & Dr Lance O’Sullivan, that was used to treat children in local schools for strep throat & basic skin infections. The aim of this initiative was to provide equitable access to children who require basic health care. 
2019
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The Moko Foundation

22 hours ago

The Moko Foundation

🌟 He Takere Waka Nui Haerenga 2 🌟

Our second cohort of tauira have arrived and are in the thick of our 5 day haerenga ki Tāmaki!

Ko ngā tauira o Te Aho Matua tēnei. Ko Te Kura o Te Kao, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rangi Aniwaniwa, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Pukemiro, me Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Kaikohe.

As you guys will remember we held our wānanga back in March for this kaupapa, exploring pathways for our rangatahi and supporting them to dream big when it comes to their future!

We’ve been super busy over the past few days, so we thought we’d share a little breakdown of what we’ve been up to!

Rā tuatahi:

One NZ:
* Participated in energising korikori (movement) sessions with the Warriors Foundation
* Learnt about the retail side of their mahi, including an experiment smashing Oppo phones
* Had a kōrero (discussion) about career pathways in tech with Tech Taniwha and Kahu Code whānau, exploring the opportunities in the industry
* Explored OneNZ’s impressive 5-level office space in Takapuna

Māori in Science Session:
* Our rangatahi had a taste of university life as they sat in a lecture theatre listening to three expert speakers who whakapapa Māori and are making a difference in areas like cancer, infectious diseases, and stroke research to improve Māori health outcomes. Elisa Moller, a biochemistry graduate, shared her journey through university, how she decided on her career path, and where she is now.

This session wasn’t just about sharing insights into these important fields — it was also a first-hand look at the power of research, the pathway to becoming a researcher, and the importance of decolonising these areas for Māori. It was inspiring for our tauira to see Māori researchers leading the way and using their expertise to create meaningful change.

Last Chance Project:�
This kaupapa provides a safe space for tāne (young men) to develop and create new chapters in their lives through healing and nurturing. It promotes positive, sustainable transitions to new beginnings and a brighter future.
* Focused on mental health and the importance of support networks
* Played whakawhanaungatanga games, including push-up competitions and wall sits, to highlight the power of kupu akiaki (motivational words) for friends
* Had a meaningful kōrero with Matua Tai about mental health and the value of communication

Stay tuned for more updates to come! ... See MoreSee Less

🌟 He Takere Waka Nui Haerenga 2 🌟 Our second cohort of tauira have arrived and are in the thick of our 5 day haerenga ki Tāmaki! Ko ngā tauira o Te Aho Matua tēnei. Ko Te Kura o Te Kao, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rangi Aniwaniwa, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Pukemiro, me Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Kaikohe. As you guys will remember we held our wānanga back in March for this kaupapa, exploring pathways for our rangatahi and supporting them to dream big when it comes to their future! We’ve been super busy over the past few days, so we thought we’d share a little breakdown of what we’ve been up to! Rā tuatahi: One NZ: * Participated in energising korikori (movement) sessions with the Warriors Foundation * Learnt about the retail side of their mahi, including an experiment smashing Oppo phones * Had a kōrero (discussion) about career pathways in tech with Tech Taniwha and Kahu Code whānau, exploring the opportunities in the industry * Explored OneNZ’s impressive 5-level office space in Takapuna Māori in Science Session: * Our rangatahi had a taste of university life as they sat in a lecture theatre listening to three expert speakers who whakapapa Māori and are making a difference in areas like cancer, infectious diseases, and stroke research to improve Māori health outcomes. Elisa Moller, a biochemistry graduate, shared her journey through university, how she decided on her career path, and where she is now. This session wasn’t just about sharing insights into these important fields — it was also a first-hand look at the power of research, the pathway to becoming a researcher, and the importance of decolonising these areas for Māori. It was inspiring for our tauira to see Māori researchers leading the way and using their expertise to create meaningful change. Last Chance Project:� This kaupapa provides a safe space for tāne (young men) to develop and create new chapters in their lives through healing and nurturing. It promotes positive, sustainable transitions to new beginnings and a brighter future. * Focused on mental health and the importance of support networks * Played whakawhanaungatanga games, including push-up competitions and wall sits, to highlight the power of kupu akiaki (motivational words) for friends * Had a meaningful kōrero with Matua Tai about mental health and the value of communication Stay tuned for more updates to come!
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The Moko Foundation

6 days ago

The Moko Foundation

We’re getting into gear! 🔬✨

After completing our swab training, the Waharoa ki te Toi crew at The MOKO Foundation has been out and about doing a pilot run to test how our recruitment and swabbing process will roll out with our awesome whānau! 💥

A massive mihi to the whānau who took part in our pilot run – your support helps us fine-tune everything before we go full steam ahead! 🙌🏽

For everyone else who’s already registered — we’ll be in touch very soon to confirm a few more details.
📧 Keep an eye on your emails!
📞 If you didn’t provide an email, expect a call from us within the next week.

Not registered yet?
No worries – click the link below or scan the QR code to get on board! 🖊️📲

Let’s do this together, for the health of our whānau and our future. 💙

#WaharoaKiTeToi #TheMOKOFoundation #SwabStudy #ForOurWhānau #MāoriHealth #CommunityFirst ... See MoreSee Less

We’re getting into gear! 🔬✨ After completing our swab training, the Waharoa ki te Toi crew at The MOKO Foundation has been out and about doing a pilot run to test how our recruitment and swabbing process will roll out with our awesome whānau! 💥 A massive mihi to the whānau who took part in our pilot run – your support helps us fine-tune everything before we go full steam ahead! 🙌🏽 For everyone else who’s already registered — we’ll be in touch very soon to confirm a few more details. 📧 Keep an eye on your emails! 📞 If you didn’t provide an email, expect a call from us within the next week. Not registered yet? No worries – click the link below or scan the QR code to get on board! 🖊️📲 Let’s do this together, for the health of our whānau and our future. 💙 #WaharoaKiTeToi #TheMOKOFoundation #SwabStudy #ForOurWhānau #MāoriHealth #CommunityFirst
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