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

4 hours ago

The Moko Foundation

🌟 Rā Tuarua ✌🏽

He Takere Waka Nui

Ka nui te mihi ki ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rangi Aniwaniwa, Pukemiro, Te Kao, and Kaikohe!

Our day was filled with meaningful connections as our tauira got to know each other and the kaupapa. Through interactive workshops and team-building activities, we witnessed the incredible potential within our tauira.

As we conclude our introductory wānanga, we’re excited for our upcoming haerenga to Tāmaki! There, our tamariki will explore a range of opportunities, from universities to trades and job training. We'll be joined by our corporate partners, and community groups who will facilitate sessions with our tauira.

We are dedicated to creating opportunities where our rangatahi can flourish.

Mau tonu mai e te iwi! ... See MoreSee Less

🌟 Rā Tuarua ✌🏽 He Takere Waka Nui Ka nui te mihi ki ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Rangi Aniwaniwa, Pukemiro, Te Kao, and Kaikohe! Our day was filled with meaningful connections as our tauira got to know each other and the kaupapa. Through interactive workshops and team-building activities, we witnessed the incredible potential within our tauira. As we conclude our introductory wānanga, we’re excited for our upcoming haerenga to Tāmaki! There, our tamariki will explore a range of opportunities, from universities to trades and job training. Well be joined by our corporate partners, and community groups who will facilitate sessions with our tauira. We are dedicated to creating opportunities where our rangatahi can flourish. Mau tonu mai e te iwi!
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The Moko Foundation

2 days ago

The Moko Foundation

GO FOLLOW OUR NEW 'WAHAROA KI TE TOI' FACEBOOK PAG HERE:

www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574047047255

Waharoa Ki Te Toi sits under The Moko Foundation with the aim to facilitate and support biomedical research within the Te Hiku Te Ika rohe.

Our current project is a Pnuemococcal and Meningococcal Carriage study with the aim to explore why our whānau are one of the groups most effected by these contagious illnesses.
We'll share more about our study, what we're doing and why over the coming months.
But first, we'd like to introduce you to our small but passionate team.

~ Liz Williams | Research Facilitator ~
Kia ora koutou!
Nō Panguru ahau, Ko Te Rarawa te Iwi.
I live in Panguru and I've got a background in working with data and research. I'm passionate about supporting our tāngata Māori by producing and facilitating research that supports strategic decision making.

~ Mariah Herbert | Project Support ~
Kia Ora e te Whānau!
Nō Pawarenga, Owhata me Herekino ahau. Ko Te Rarawa te iwi.
Currently residing in Kaitaia. In 2016, I became a ‘Youth Ambassador’ for ‘I am Hope’, sharing my story with tamariki and rangatahi across Aotearoa. With a passion in Mental Health & Addictions, holding a Level 4 Certificate, I've spent 4+ years supporting our vulnerable community in justice, housing & health.
E mihi ana kia koutou!

We both look forward to sharing what we're doing with you all and hope to add to our collective information gathering and sharing in this kaupapa Māori research space! ... See MoreSee Less

GO FOLLOW OUR NEW WAHAROA KI TE TOI FACEBOOK PAG HERE: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574047047255 Waharoa Ki Te Toi sits under The Moko Foundation with the aim to facilitate and support biomedical research within the Te Hiku Te Ika rohe. Our current project is a Pnuemococcal and Meningococcal Carriage study with the aim to explore why our whānau are one of the groups most effected by these contagious illnesses. Well share more about our study, what were doing and why over the coming months. But first, wed like to introduce you to our small but passionate team. ~ Liz Williams | Research Facilitator ~ Kia ora koutou! Nō Panguru ahau, Ko Te Rarawa te Iwi. I live in Panguru and Ive got a background in working with data and research. Im passionate about supporting our tāngata Māori by producing and facilitating research that supports strategic decision making. ~ Mariah Herbert | Project Support ~ Kia Ora e te Whānau! Nō Pawarenga, Owhata me Herekino ahau. Ko Te Rarawa te iwi. Currently residing in Kaitaia. In 2016, I became a ‘Youth Ambassador’ for ‘I am Hope’, sharing my story with tamariki and rangatahi across Aotearoa. With a passion in Mental Health & Addictions, holding a Level 4 Certificate, Ive spent 4+ years supporting our vulnerable community in justice, housing & health. E mihi ana kia koutou! We both look forward to sharing what were doing with you all and hope to add to our collective information gathering and sharing in this kaupapa Māori research space!
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The Moko Foundation

4 days ago

The Moko Foundation

"E kore e ngaro, He Takere Waka Nui E!

A collaboration between The Moko Foundation & Nōna Te Ao Charitable Trust.

Today marked the launch of our Rangatahi Pathways Programme (Yr 11 - 13s), bringing together our 3 area schools - Opononi, Broadwood & Taipā!

Our kaupapa is simple yet powerful: empowering our rangatahi to chase their dreams! We're committed to supporting them every step of the way, using community-led solutions to uplift our region, Te Tai Tokerau.

Āpōpō we run it back again with our Kura Kaupapa cohort made up of Te Rangi Aniwaniwa, Pukemiro, Te Kao & Kaikohe.

Whai mai e te iwi!

#RangatahiPathways #TeTaiTokerau #tehikuoteika ... See MoreSee Less

E kore e ngaro, He Takere Waka Nui E! A collaboration between The Moko Foundation & Nōna Te Ao Charitable Trust. Today marked the launch of our Rangatahi Pathways Programme (Yr 11 - 13s), bringing together our 3 area schools - Opononi, Broadwood & Taipā! Our kaupapa is simple yet powerful: empowering our rangatahi to chase their dreams! Were committed to supporting them every step of the way, using community-led solutions to uplift our region, Te Tai Tokerau. Āpōpō we run it back again with our Kura Kaupapa cohort made up of Te Rangi Aniwaniwa, Pukemiro, Te Kao & Kaikohe. Whai mai e te iwi! #RangatahiPathways #TeTaiTokerau #tehikuoteika
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He Kaupapa Rangatira!

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

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