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.

Our past projects

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*Kaupapa Māori biomedical research has many layers*

At its core, it’s shaped by the values and needs of the Te Hiku community we’re working alongside. But it also takes skill and knowledge to do this work well. Without both of those things in balance, we won’t get the kind of research outcomes our people deserve.

This week, we headed to Te Whanganui-a-Tara to help make that happen.

We have a responsibility to our Te Hiku whānau to:

- Be open about what we’re doing and why
- Make sure they know where their swabs and information are going
- Have strong systems in place to keep their data and samples safe
- Communicate all of this clearly and honestly

We went down with the goal of better understanding what happens to the swabs once they leave our hands—where they go, who’s working with them, and how they’ll be treated. We want to be confident they’ll be looked after properly—with skill, care, and respect.

After meeting with ESR, we feel reassured. The Carriage Study we’re about to begin has the mana of our Te Hiku o Te Ika whānau at its centre. We’re proud to be part of something that not only holds true to our values but also contributes to both academic and community knowledge.

Have any questions about our rangahau or mahi? We're keen to kōrero. Drop any pātai below 🙂

Liz and Mariah at Waharoa ki te Toi
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*Kaupapa Māori biomedical research has many layers*

At its core, it’s shaped by the values and needs of the Te Hiku community we’re working alongside. But it also takes skill and knowledge to do this work well. Without both of those things in balance, we won’t get the kind of research outcomes our people deserve.

This week, we headed to Te Whanganui-a-Tara to help make that happen.

We have a responsibility to our Te Hiku whānau to:

- Be open about what we’re doing and why
- Make sure they know where their swabs and information are going
- Have strong systems in place to keep their data and samples safe
- Communicate all of this clearly and honestly

We went down with the goal of better understanding what happens to the swabs once they leave our hands—where they go, who’s working with them, and how they’ll be treated. We want to be confident they’ll be looked after properly—with skill, care, and respect.

After meeting with ESR, we feel reassured. The Carriage Study we’re about to begin has the mana of our Te Hiku o Te Ika whānau at its centre. We’re proud to be part of something that not only holds true to our values but also contributes to both academic and community knowledge.

Have any questions about our rangahau or mahi? Were keen to kōrero. Drop any pātai below 🙂

Liz and Mariah at Waharoa ki te Toi

Comment on Facebook

Way to go korua! Awesome mahi.

What is the cariage research?

2 weeks ago

The Moko Foundation

Keep your eyes peeled e hoa mā 👀

We'll be sharing more about our study, what it means for our Māori community, and how we're contributing to an exciting kaupapa Māori biomedical research space in the coming months.

But first, a reminder about what we're gearing up to do next month and what's involved for our Te Hiku tāngata...

🤒 We're looking at how Pneumococcal and Meningococcal is spread in our Te Hiku community
👥 We need 700 Māori tāngata who live in Te Hiku o Te Ika to participate
🏠We want to include everyone in your household to understand how it's being spread amongst whānau members
👩‍⚕️Involvement includes a nose and throat swab. You'll also answer survey questions
🚗We can do home visits or you can come to us - whatever's easiest for you
🎁 A koha of $50 per whānau member participant will be provided to acknowledge your time and help with the study

Want in or want to know more? Get in contact with us - we'd love to hear from you and register your interest.

Nāku noa, Liz - Carriage Study Research Facilitator
... See MoreSee Less

Keep your eyes peeled e hoa mā 👀

Well be sharing more about our study, what it means for our Māori community, and how were contributing to an exciting kaupapa Māori biomedical research space in the coming months. 

But first, a reminder about what were gearing up to do next month and whats involved for our Te Hiku tāngata...

 🤒 Were looking at how Pneumococcal and Meningococcal is spread in our Te Hiku community
👥 We need 700 Māori tāngata who live in Te Hiku o Te Ika to participate
🏠We want to include everyone in your household to understand how its being spread amongst whānau members
👩‍⚕️Involvement includes a nose and throat swab. Youll also answer survey questions
🚗We can do home visits or you can come to us - whatevers easiest for you 
🎁 A koha of $50 per whānau member participant will be provided to acknowledge your time and help with the study

Want in or want to know more? Get in contact with us - wed love to hear from you and register your interest.

Nāku noa, Liz - Carriage Study Research Facilitator

1 month ago

The Moko Foundation

He Takere Waka Nui | Intro Wānanga Rā ✌🏽

A closer look at what the launch of this kaupapa looked like here in Te Hiku o te Ika.

Inspired by the words of our tupuna Kupe - “We will never be lost; we are the hull of a great canoe.

”A collaboration between The Moko Foundation & Nōna Te Ao Charitable Trust 🤝 to empower our rangatahi to chase their dreams and support them along the way!
... See MoreSee Less

Comment on Facebook

Rawe to koutou hawaaikihou te hapainga nga wawata o nga rangatahi Maori i te hiku o te ika

Cortnie Pineaha Murray

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