Keynotes
SAUNOAMAALI'I KARANINA SUMEO
Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner at the New Zealand Human Rights Commission
Saunoamaali’i Karanina Sumeo is the Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner at the New Zealand Human Rights Commission.
She is of Samoan descent and originally from the village of Vailima in Upolu, Samoa.
Saunoamaali'i has a strong commitment to improving equal employment opportunities, particularly bringing a Pasifika perspective to human rights issues facing Aotearoa New Zealand.
For 20 years, Saunoamaali'i has worked as a public advisor and social worker, advocating for the interests of children, women, families, the rainbow community, social protection, youth employment, gender equality and an end to gender violence.
She believes pay equity and equal employment opportunities are key avenues for youth empowerment, women’s empowerment, reduction of family poverty, freedom from gender based violence, and community wellbeing.
Saunoamaali'i holds qualifications in social work, social policy, mediation and science, including a PhD in public policy from AUT.
PATRICIA WALSH
Family Violence and Drug Reform Campaigner
My name is Patricia Walsh and I was born and raised on the sunny East Coast.
I am a mother of four adult children and a nanny to fifteen mokopuna who live within hugging distance of me.
I am a student of life, my passion is to hold space with wāhine so they find their hinatore, there oho moment.
I strive to create change for my mokopuna mokopuna.
He pai te tirohanga ki nga mahara mō ngā rā pahemo engari ka puta te māramatanga i runga i te titiro whakamua.
It’s fine to have recollections of the past but wisdom comes from being able to prepare opportunities for the future.
HON MARAMA DAVIDSON
Green Party Co-Leader
Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence and Sexual Violence | Minita mō te Arai te Whakarekereke Whānau me te Koeretanga
Associate Minister of Housing (Homelessness) | Minita Tuarua mō Ngā Take Whare (Kāinga Kore)
Hon Marama Davidson is of Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa and Ngāti Porou descent and born into a family of young, urban Māori social and environmental justice activists. This grounding has meant that Marama is passionate about improving outcomes for the many and not just the few and brings a Te Tiriti framework that drives her work and thinking every day in parliament.
Prior to becoming a Member of Parliament, Marama worked for the Human Rights Commission for 10 years, and was the Chief Panellist for the Glenn Inquiry into Domestic Violence and Child Abuse. Her involvement in the inquiry placed violence at the forefront of her political radar.
She brings this experience to the newly appointed role of Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, following on from the work of her colleague Green party MP Jan Logie as Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Domestic and Sexual Violence issues) in the 53rd Parliament.
Marama lives with her six children, her mokopuna and husband in Manurewa.
JUDGE FRANCES EIVERS
New Zealand Children's Commissioner
Her Honour Judge Frances Eivers (Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato) is the current Children's Commissioner, taking on the role from 1 November 2021. Before being appointed Commissioner, she was a Judge in the District Court in Manukau, working extensively with mokopuna in the court system.
She has worked as a lawyer in Auckland, Whakatāne, London and Tauranga. In New Zealand, she practised mainly in the Family, Youth and Criminal courts, including working as a lawyer for children and as a youth advocate.
Born in Kawerau and raised in Te Teko, she counts herself lucky to have been raised with love in her whānau whānui and to have had a community where “everyone pretty much knows everyone”. She is a mother of three sons and counts this as her greatest achievement.
ASSOC. PROF. KHYLEE QUINCE
Dean of Law, Auckland University of Technology
Associate Professor Khylee Quince (Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahungungu) AUT School of Law.
Khylee’s teaching and research interests focus on criminal justice and youth justice. In 2014 she was awarded a National Tertiary Teaching Award for Sustained Excellence.
Khylee is a member of the New Zealand Parole Board and is chair of the New Zealand Drug Foundation.
She is a member of numerous advisory groups and is regularly consulted by government and non-government organisations on matters concerning Māori and the law and justice.