Join us for the next session in our series of monthly Learning Lunches!

This month's topic is Addressing Racism, Bias, and Exclusion, which is the third of the five pathways outlined in the SASS non-white paper Voices from the Frontlines: Community-driven Pathways for Systems Change in Aotearoa.

Systemically or explicitly, we observe ignorance, bias, racism and exclusion on a daily basis - in the news, our workplaces, organisations, institutions and sometimes even in ourselves or those close to us. Dr Arama Rata (Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga - NPM), Bianca Johanson (Manaaki Rangatahi) and Faumuina F. Maria (Ifopo) Tafuna'i (Flying Geese) will join Anjum Rahman to share their whakaaro on the systemic processes and impacts of these issues in our communities and wider society.

Pack your lunch, feed your mind and join us for this important kōrero.

Ko Bianca Johanson tōku ingoa. Nō Te Rarawa te Iwi, ko Patu Pinaki te hapū. Nō Muriwhenua ahau. Bianca, widely known as ‘Bee,’ serves as the Tumu Whakarae of Manaaki Rangatahi, Aotearoa’s only collective focused on youth housing and homelessness. With nearly 30 years of experience in social and community development, Bee also brings her skills as a healer to her work. She is a social impact disruptor, fiercely committed to transforming the youth homelessness system while driving the decolonization and re-indigenization of systems throughout Aotearoa. Bee finds her greatest joy at the beach with her mokopuna, and in contributing to kaupapa that aim to create lasting, world-changing impact.

Dr Arama Rata belongs to Ngāruahine, Taranaki, and Ngāti Maniapoto. She is co-director of Te Kuaka, a research and advocacy group promoting independent, progressive foreign policy for Aotearoa New Zealand, and works as an independent researcher, focused on anti-racism, anti-imperialism and liberatory pedagogies.

Faumuina Felolini Maria Tafunai was born in Ōtautahi Christchurch, her family hails from Mulifanua, Fasito’o-tai, Asaga and Salelologa. She is founder and CEO of Flying Geese Pro and also founded Flying Geese Trust. In 2014, Faumuina developed a Wayfinding framework, under the guidance of navigator Hoturoa Barclay-Kerr, that is based on celestial navigation and ocean voyaging. She uses this framework to develop and deliver Wayfinding programmes for Te Tiriti, mental wellbeing, entrepreneurship and unique projects locally and internationally. An ocean voyager herself, she is a poet, author, playwright and performer. Her book My Grandfather is a Canoe has been adapted for stage, which has won multiple awards. She is also an Edmund Hilary Fellow, and developed with Kāhui Māori the 17 Habits of a Valued Treaty Partner.

The Systems Change Advocacy, Support, and Solidarity (SASS) Group was founded in 2022 by a core group of experienced, hands-on changemakers who are fiercely passionate about community-led, relationship-based, collaborative systems change and creating a more equitable future in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Read more here »