TOAH-NNEST
NATIONAL SEXUAL VIOLENCE CONFERENCE 2026
31 August - 1 September | Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre
Panel of champions
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.