More than 300 rangatahi, caregivers, sector leaders and policymakers will gather in
Wellington next week for the first national conference hosted by VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai,
a landmark event that will see the organisation present its key election-year asks for
children and young people in state care.
Kōkiri – The Future Speaks will take place on 16–17 March 2026 at Tākina Wellington
Convention and Exhibition Centre. VOYCE says the inaugural conference is designed to put
the voices of care-experienced rangatahi at the centre of national conversation and
decision-making.
Chief Executive Tracie Shipton says the gathering is about providing the opportunity for
those with power in the care system to listen to the young people who know it best.
“Kōkiri is about creating a platform where rangatahi can speak openly about their
experiences and their aspirations for the future.”
“This conference will challenge key players in the care system to really listen to the voices
of our young people, to hear what they have to say, to share in their optimism, and to help
build meaningful aspirations for their future and the future of those who will come behind
them.”
More than a traditional conference, the two-day wānanga brings together the full ecosystem
of care – rangatahi, whānau, caregivers, iwi, community organisations, researchers,
advocates and government agencies to imagine and co-design a future grounded in
belonging, connection and collective responsibility.
A significant proportion of presentations will be delivered by care-experienced rangatahi
themselves, reflecting VOYCE’s belief that real transformation must be led by those with
lived experience.
Among them is Co-MC and care experienced rangatahi Dani Wilson who says Kōkiri is about
ensuring young people have a voice.
“It’s also about ensuring that they’re part of shaping the future of care. With the election
coming up, we’re calling on the Government to recognise children in care as a priority
population, because their wellbeing is a responsibility shared by all of Aotearoa.
Shipton says the conference will also provide a critical platform for the care community to
engage directly with political leaders ahead of November 7.
“At Kōkiri we will be putting forward our key asks of elected representatives, outlining what
must change if we are serious about improving the lives of children in state care.”
Those asks include making state care a bipartisan national priority, recognising children in
care as a priority population across government services including health, education and
housing, and continuing to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission of
Inquiry into Abuse in Care.
“Children in state care need stability and consistency. That can only happen when caring for
them becomes a shared commitment across the political spectrum,” Shipton says.
The conference will also highlight a growing challenge facing VOYCE itself, the sustainability
of its funding.
VOYCE was established in 2017 through a unique partnership between government,
philanthropy and the community sector, with baseline government funding delivered
through an appropriation via Oranga Tamariki.
While funding increased modestly between 2022 and 2024, VOYCE has not been invited to
submit a further Budget bid since then, leaving the organisation operating under increasing
financial pressure.
Shipton says VOYCE has continued delivering services through fiscal restraint, reserves and
the support of philanthropic partners, but the situation cannot continue indefinitely.
“We have been able to maintain our work through careful financial management and the
generosity of philanthropic funders, but without renewed investment we cannot continue
operating in our current form.”
“That makes this election year particularly important. If we want the voices of children in
care to shape the system that affects them, we must ensure the organisations amplifying
those voices are properly supported.”
The entire two-day programme is structured around VOYCE’s Six Promises framework – a
vision for a care system based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
(UNCROC).
Day one will open the conference, while day two will focus on the political and policy future
of the care system, including a political panel featuring representatives from across the
political spectrum including Labour’s Willow Jean Prime, National’s Paulo Garcia, Kahurangi
Carter from the Greens, and Te Pāti Māori’s Oriini Kaipara.
The audience will also hear from Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad, Chief
Ombudsman John Allen and Arran Jones Chief Executive of Aroturuki Tamariki, the
Independent Children’s Monitor.
Shipton says the message behind the conference is simple: real change begins by listening.
“When we truly listen to rangatahi and centre their experiences, we can transform not only
the system around them, but the lives of the young people it exists to serve.
Key timings for day two March 17:
8.45am – Opening/Launch of key election asks
9am – Political Panel
10.15am – Cloak of Protection Panel including – Children’s Commissioner, Chief
Ombudsman and CEO of Aroturuki Tamariki