TOAH-NNEST
NATIONAL SEXUAL VIOLENCE CONFERENCE 2026
31 August - 1 September | Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre
Keynotes
Our keynote speakers for the National Sexual Violence Conference can be found below, along with our Panel of Champions.
Tusha Penny
Assistant Commissioner Tusha Penny is New Zealand Police’s Assistant Commissioner: Road Policing and District Support. Her current responsibilities include Prevention, Retail Crime, and the Emergency Communications Centres.
Before this role, Tusha was Assistant Commissioner, Deployment, where she was responsible for the strategic delivery of frontline capability across NZ Police. Her portfolio included the implementation of the Tactical Response Model and the delivery of 500 additional officers. She also led several critical national fundings, including Data & Insights, and the Royal New Zealand Police College.
Since joining NZ Police in 1992, Tusha has built a distinguished career across frontline policing, criminal investigations, national leadership, and transformational change programmes.
A passionate advocate for vulnerable communities, Tusha has led major reforms in child protection, sexual violence, and family harm. In 2011, she became NZ Police’s first National Manager of Child Protection and Sexual Violence, leading a national change programme in response to the Commission of Inquiry. She was later promoted to National Manager, Prevention, overseeing initiatives to support victims and vulnerable whānau across Aotearoa.
Her leadership has also shaped key national programmes, including the Firearms Reform and Buyback scheme following the 15 March tragedy and the Frontline Safety Improvement Programme.
In 2016, Tusha became the first Māori female District Commander, leading Waitematā District. That same year she was named a finalist in the Westpac Women of Influence Awards, having been nominated by female Inspectors within her own leadership team.
In 2023, Tusha undertook a two-year secondment as Deputy Chief Executive, Transformation at Oranga Tamariki. There she continued her lifelong commitment to child wellbeing, leading transformational change to ensure children are safe, loved, and nurtured. Her time at Oranga Tamariki included navigating complex youth justice challenges and driving rapid change.
When she returned, Tusha served as Assistant Commissioner, Iwi & Communities. The responsibilities of this portfolio include Auckland partnerships, ethnic, iwi/Māori and Pacific partnerships, and prevention strategy and support.
Tusha is of Ngāti Porou descent and remains a powerful advocate for kaupapa Māori leadership within policing. She is married with two adult children
Tipene Harmer
Tipene Harmer (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Kahu) is an award-winning hip hop artist, Māori Music Ambassador, cultural practitioner, and community leader from Heretaunga, Hawke’s Bay. With over 130,000 followers and more than 50 million streams, he has released four albums, toured with LAB, and worked alongside some of Aotearoa’s most respected artists, including Che Fu, Scribe, Troy Kingi, and Maisey Rika. Alongside his music career, Tipene has spent more than 20 years mentoring rangatahi and adults through education, youth development, social services, and Māori wellbeing.
Through Poutama Studio, his Hastings-based recording studio and creative development space, Tipene works with Tāne using music as a tool for healing, self-expression, and personal growth. The Poutama Music framework combines storytelling, songwriting, beat making, recording, and performance to help men explore and express their lived experiences in a safe, culturally grounded environment.
Guided by Māori values and the symbolism of the poutama pattern, participants build confidence, communication skills, cultural identity, and emotional wellbeing while strengthening connections to themselves, their whānau, and communities. By providing access to professional studio facilities and creative mentorship, Poutama Studio empowers tāne to transform their stories into waiata and reclaim their voices through music.
Hon Karen Chhour
Hon Karen Chhour is the Minister for Children and for the Prevention of Family
and Sexual Violence.
Karen grew up interacting with the state care system, and was elected to
Parliament as an ACT Party MP in 2020 with the goal of
reforming Oranga Tamariki to better the lives of New Zealand’s most
vulnerable children.
Before politics, Karen was self-employed in the New Zealand-made clothing
industry. She is a mother of four and has lived on Auckland's North Shore for
the past 30 years.
Panel of Champions
The Panel of Champions brings together individuals with lived experience of sexual violence who have chosen to share their insights, reflections, and journeys of healing and growth. Their voices offer an important perspective on the impact of sexual violence, as well as the pathways to wellbeing, resilience, and hope - "Kahupō to Toiora".
The purpose of this panel is to create space for learning, connection, and reflection, while recognising the valuable contributions these individuals continue to make within their communities and areas of mahi. Through sharing their experiences and the work they are involved in today, the panel will highlight the importance of Kahupō to Toiora in shaping positive change and strengthening our collective response to sexual violence.
Tricia Walsh
Anei to mokopuna o Hikurangi Maunga.
No Ngati Porou ahau.
I am a very proud nanny of 17 mokopuna who have been raised and reminded of what a safe and flourishing life is. Grounded in body sovereignty and the normalisation of safe relationships, safe touching and who to reach out to if they should feel unsafe.
I consider myself to be a lived, living and learned woman who has experienced and witnessed Sexual Violence across my lifetime, and confidently make available my knowledge for others to consider.
He Wiwi He Ngati
Norelle Parker
Ko Te Whakatōhea, ko Ngāti Toa Rangatira, ko Ngāti Koata, ko Ngāi Tahu ōku iwi. I am a Māori governance and strategic advisor based in Tāmaki Makaurau, currently working as Principal Advisor at the Houkura Independent Māori Statutory Board. I am also a wife, a mother, and someone deeply grounded in whānau, whakapapa, and kaupapa Māori values.
My work focuses on Māori advocacy, governance, equity, and strengthening outcomes for whānau and communities across local government and community spaces. I have experience supporting governance, strategic planning, and policy development, particularly in areas relating to Māori wellbeing, mana motuhake, and systems change.
Alongside my professional work, I am actively involved in kaupapa Māori education and community leadership, including governance within kōhanga reo. As a Māori wāhine and member of the LGBTQ+ community, I am passionate about creating spaces that uphold mana, safety, dignity, and belonging for our people.
I value honest kōrero, relational approaches, and ensuring Māori voices and lived experiences are reflected meaningfully within decision-making spaces. Ultimately, I hope to contribute to a future where our mokopuna can thrive confidently and safely as Māori in all spaces.
Ngā manaakitanga
Dean Clarkson
Dean Clarkson is the founder of wana.services, a charitable trust supporting tāne with lived experience of violence, and the founder of the first male refuge in Aotearoa New Zealand for male victims and their children. He is a natural leader and compassionate visionary who empowers others to heal and reconnect.
As a loving father and husband, Dean brings empathy and support into both his work and home life. He creates safe spaces, builds community and connects deeply with individuals. Known for his kindness, resilience, and humility, Dean fosters belonging and lifts others with his positive energy. His superpower is connecting people, advocating for social justice, and supporting others to see and believe in their strengths—all while being a devoted family man and creating safe havens for those in need.
Ninakaye Taane-Tinorau
(Ngāti Uekaha Ruapūhā)
Ninakaye is a mother and grandmother based in Kirikiriroa, whose mahi is as a music manager (for her brother Tiki Taane), public speaker, Kemetic Yoga practitioner and mentor for the Aotearoa music community.
A beacon of mana motuhake and toiora, Ninakaye credits her knowledge and learning to her colourful personal life’s journey of lived experience. Now over 25 years free of alcohol / drug addiction and life within the sex industry, she is well-known for her stance as a strong advocate for positive change.
In 2012, Ninakaye established the Māori Music Managers Development Initiative, which then led to her current role as a Trustee of the Māori Music Industry Collective. With an extensive background of experience and qualifications across the Public Health, Event Management, Film / TV, Yoga and Fitness industries, in 2017 Ninakaye’s personal pathway led her to becoming a co-facilitator of women’s safety groups, and then a therapist for taane who have sexually harmed.
A longtime mentor for the Aotearoa Music Managers Forum, Ninakaye also carries the role of Tikanga Māori Trustee for Soundcheck Aotearoa; a charitable trust whose mission is to foster a safe and inclusive culture for the Aotearoa music community.
Sam Troth
Sam Troth is a survivor, advocate, father of seven, and the founder of The Road to Healing Aotearoa - a survivor-led movement focused on raising awareness of sexual harm, supporting survivors, and advocating for systemic change across Aotearoa. In 2026, Sam was recognised as a Local Hero Medal recipient for his advocacy and community work supporting survivors across New Zealand.
After navigating his own long journey of healing from childhood sexual abuse, Sam turned lived experience into action. In 2022, he walked from Bluff to Cape Reinga to raise awareness for male survivors and encourage open kōrero around trauma, recovery, and justice. Since then, he has led multiple awareness campaigns and nationwide hikoi, including a recent journey from Cape Reinga to Parliament delivering a petition calling for stronger sentencing laws for sexual offending.
Alongside his advocacy work, Sam provides peer support to survivors across New Zealand, helping connect people with services, community, and hope. Sam’s work centres on creating safer futures for survivors, whānau, and the next generation of Aotearoa.
Danielle Gare
I’m Danielle, living quietly in the beautiful Mackenzie Country with my partner and our baby daughter finding joy in the simple things after a decade of learning how to survive the hard ones.
Originally from Dunedin, I spent 10 years in Christchurch where I studied to become an Early Childhood teacher, a career I still passionately work in today. Teaching children has always been more than a job to me. It has been a place of purpose, healing, and connection.
At 22 years old my life changed when I was drugged and sexually assaulted in what became one of Christchurch/New Zealand’s largest sexual violence investigations involving more than 20 women. What followed from this event was not only the trauma itself, but years of grief, rebuilding, and learning how to find myself again while overcoming experiences that tried to break me.
My story is one of survival. But also of growth, softness, and proof that even after the darkest chapters, there can still be beauty in the life that follows.
Uipo Tagaloasa
Uipo was born and raised in Samoa by his grandparents after the passing of his father before he was born. In 2003, at the age of 23, he moved to New Zealand to begin a new chapter of life and opportunity.
Uipo is a devoted husband to his wife Nicole and a proud father to their two beautiful daughters, one adopted son, and two foster sons. Family, faith, and community are at the heart of everything he does.
Passionate about holistic health and wellbeing, Uipo is a qualified personal trainer with experience supporting both individuals and groups. Alongside Nicole, he co-founded Bettalifestyle Fitness, with a strong focus on helping vulnerable communities improve their physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing.
Uipo is also a leader and advocate for male survivors of sexual abuse. Through his platform, “Break the Cycle from Past Trauma,” he courageously shares his personal journey of childhood trauma, healing, and recovery to inspire hope and break the silence for other men and families.
After relocating from Auckland to Tauranga with his aiga, Uipo and Nicole established Bay of Plenty Pasifika Netball and Netball Xcellence Academy, creating opportunities for young people and Pasifika families to grow through sport, culture, and connection.
Today, Uipo serves as the Lead Peer Support Worker at Tautoko Tāne Bay of Plenty. He is also the Co-Chair of the Pacific FVSV Practitioner National Komiti, where he represents and advocates for Pasifika male survivors of sexual abuse across Aotearoa.
Uipo wants people to know that change is possible, healing is real, and no one has to walk their journey alone.