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

2 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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The Moko Foundation

5 days ago

The Moko Foundation

Swab Ready & Study Strong! 🧪💪

On May 1st, the MOKO Foundation team got hands-on with expert swab training thanks to our amazing friend and local nurse, Giddy, from Te Whare Oranga O Muriwhenua. Her skills, knowledge, and iMoko experience gave us the confidence to swab like pros! 👩‍⚕️✨

We were also privileged to be joined by Lead Scientist Una Ren from ESR, who’ll be testing the samples from our Te Hiku whānau. Ngā mihi to both Giddy and Una for empowering our team with the tools and confidence to kick off the next phase of our Carriage Study.

We’re trained, ready, and excited — now we need YOU!
👉 Click the link below to join our Health Study and help make a difference in our community!
forms.office.com/r/d08guX4gVw

#MOKOFoundation #CarriageStudy #SwabSquad #TeHikuHealth #WhānauWellbeing ... See MoreSee Less

Swab Ready & Study Strong! 🧪💪 On May 1st, the MOKO Foundation team got hands-on with expert swab training thanks to our amazing friend and local nurse, Giddy, from Te Whare Oranga O Muriwhenua. Her skills, knowledge, and iMoko experience gave us the confidence to swab like pros! 👩‍⚕️✨ We were also privileged to be joined by Lead Scientist Una Ren from ESR, who’ll be testing the samples from our Te Hiku whānau. Ngā mihi to both Giddy and Una for empowering our team with the tools and confidence to kick off the next phase of our Carriage Study. We’re trained, ready, and excited — now we need YOU! 👉 Click the link below to join our Health Study and help make a difference in our community! https://forms.office.com/r/d08guX4gVw #MOKOFoundation #CarriageStudy #SwabSquad #TeHikuHealth #WhānauWellbeing
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Giddy phewww who's that nurse in the photos 😇🌸

Chur Giddy💜keep up the hard work whānau😇

Proud of how far you've gone mate and now carrying on tht valuable RF prevention kaupapa Giddy Tupara 😍😎🥰

Glad to have been able to Awhi Te Moko Foundation in this Awesome Kaupapa. 💯💜

Awesome Giddy Tupara 😀

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The Moko Foundation

6 days ago

The Moko Foundation

Last day in Tāmaki with our Area Schools Cohort! We’re off to the Navy this morning and then OneNZ! Kia pai te rā! ... See MoreSee Less

Last day in Tāmaki with our Area Schools Cohort! We’re off to the Navy this morning and then OneNZ! Kia pai te rā!
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