A group of educators and academics are aiming to protect the wellbeing of learners through anti-racism teaching.
Organisers Ara Alam-Simmons, Rashida Longley and Dr Lovely Dizon are holding Weaving Anti-Racist Futures, which they said is the first ever anti-racism conference in Aotearoa.
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The group said that the need to tackle racism and its effects in schools was clear.
“In 2025, New Zealand was rated the lowest ranking country out of 36 OECD and EU countries for mental wellbeing.
“Unfortunately, New Zealand reports the highest suicide rate in the 36 countries, with the percentage of bullied children the second highest.
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“Data from Youth19’s survey shows high mental health needs and sharp increases between 2012 and 2018, particularly among female, Māori, Pacific and Asian students and those living in socioeconomically deprived neighbourhoods.
“We know that school experience plays a critical role in the mental health of our learners. For example, 93 percent of Māori report experiencing racism on a daily basis at school, and one in five learners from ethnic communities have been a victim of racist bullying.
“Our school environments are a primary site of racism and discrimination. Nearly one-third of learners do not believe their school takes racist bullying seriously.
“We want to protect the wellbeing and future of our learners so they are flourishing, attending and achieving at school.”
“We want to support our teachers with skills and space to come together and problem solve solutions.”
The Weaving Anti-Racist Futures conference will be held at Albany Senior High School in Auckland on July 5 and 6
It is designed to give educators, school boards, policy makers and community leaders an opportunity to learn from anti-racist scholars and each other, organisers said.
“Together, we will explore the practical tools and actions necessary to make our schools safer spaces so that young people can thrive.”
The event is being held in collaboration with CARE (Centre for Culture-Centred Approach to Research and Evaluation) at Massey University.
