Ripple Effect Conference 2026

ENDING SEXUAL VIOLENCE & FAMILY HARM CONFERENCE

15 & 16 October | Tauranga Moana

Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects.

ABOUT ripple effect

A shared vision for a violence-free future

Purpose

The Ripple Effect Conference brings together leaders, practitioners, iwi, community organisations and agencies for two days to accelerate primary prevention of family and sexual violence across Aotearoa. This year the focus is on turning individual actions (ripples) into coordinated, sustained, collective impact (waves).

Outcomes

Scalable prevention initiatives
Strengthened partnerships
Commitments into real action
Storytelling that shifts social attitudes
Kaimahi capability & wellbeing
Call to action beyond the event
Applicable tools and strategies

Vision

Ripple Effect supports the vision of Te Aorerekura by centring:

Prevention
Equity and Te Tiriti
Intersectionality
Community-led Solutions
Workforce Capability and wellbeing

This alignment ensures the conference contributes to national priorities while remaining grounded in local need.

Family and sexual violence continue to place significant pressure on whānau, communities and frontline services.This conference will respond to a clear community call for practical tools, stronger collaboration, kaimahi wellbeing, innovation, and visible measurable impact.

event details

2 day conference

Oct 15

day 1 : The current

Thursday

9.30 am - 4.30pm

Keynote Speaker:

Matt Brown

Oct 15

day 1 : After Hours

An informal evening of networking, conversation, and connection at Goode Brothers.After a full day of learning, reflection, and discussion, we invite you to join us for a relaxed evening at Goode Brothers. 40 Spaces Available. TICKET HOLDERS ONLY.

Friday

5.00pm - 7.00Pm

Oct 16

day 2 : well-being morning

Mind & Body Awakening 30-minute morning practice to awaken, activate & align.
Reconnecting with your body, calming your mind and creating a positive intention for the day ahead. This gentle 30-minute practice, run by Pauline Clark, combines kinesiology switching-on techniques, lymphatic movement and a guided morning meditation to help awaken the body, encourage circulation and bring awareness to how you’re feeling physically, mentally and emotionally.
40 Spaces Available. TICKET HOLDERS ONLY.

Friday

8.30am - 9.30am

Oct 16

day 2 : MakE Waves

Friday

10.00AM - 3.30PM

SPEAKERS

Matt
Brown

Mataio is the co-founder of She Is Not Your Rehab, an internationally recognised speaker, author, and award-winning barber.

Nikki
denholm

Nikki Denholm, MNZM, has a sexual health background and specialises in emerging online trends, patterns, and harms amongst young people.

DebBs Murray

Debbs offers strategic advice across family violence systems and contributes to analysis, design, and workforce development across government and community sectors, including national strategies under Te Aorerekura.

Jase
Williams

With honesty, humour, and heart, Jase invites audiences into conversations that go beyond theory. He speaks from lived experience of what it means to break cycles, rebuild connection, and lead with compassion.

MC's

Jessica Tyson

Jessica Tyson is a journalist and founder of Brave Charitable Trust, a sexual harm prevention charity supporting rangatahi through education on consent, sexual harm and pathways to help. She is a freelance journalist for Te Ao with Moana, Te Ao Māori News and Woman’s Day, and a passionate te reo Māori advocate.

Te radar

Witty, engaging and well-informed, Te Radar is a sought-after MC, panel moderator, keynote and after-dinner speaker, with an ability to knowledgeably host diverse events across the Agricultural, Engineering, Science, Media, Arts, Medical, Environmental and Academic sectors.

Line up

local

Voice

weafv (Working to End Aotearoa's FAmily Violence)
‍
The Centre for Family Violence and Sexual Violence Prevention
‍
Rainbow Voice

Shama, Ethnic womens trust

Little Matters

‍