Equity, Identity & Civic Courage in Aotearoa - A Panel Discussion
Description
Equity, Identity and Civic Courage in Aotearoa
A 'Whiria Te Tangata: Weaving Communities Together' seminar, co-hosted by the Waikato Intercultural Fund of Momentum Waikato Community Foundation, and the School of Law, Politics, and Philosophy at the University of Waikato.
A live discussion with audience Q&A, celebrating and exploring International Women’s Day on 8 March and International Race Relations Day on 21 March 2026.
PANEL: Margaret Wilson, Kemi Fayomi, Jumana Fouda and Molly Āperira Huggan.
FREE EVENT - please reserve your seat/s by clicking 'Get Tickets'.
Donations to the Waikato Intercultural Fund are most welcome, choose an amount to donate when you click through to the ticket page, OR donate at momentumwaikato.nz/waikatointerculturalfund.
Topics for Discussion
Combining International Women’s Day and Race Relations Day allows us to explore the intersection of gender, ethnicity, and civic identity in a way that reflects the lived realities of our communities.
Gender Equity and Intersectionality
What progress has Aotearoa made on gender equity, and where are the gaps?
How do we ensure gender equity includes mana Māori, Pacific, migrant, refugee, and ethnic women?
Responding to Hate and Division
What tools do communities need to counter racism, misogyny, and disinformation?
How do we build resilience and solidarity across difference?
How do we move from symbolic inclusion to structural change?
Leadership and Representation
What does inclusive leadership look like in 2026 and beyond?
What constitutional reforms would help protect women and minority rights in New Zealand?
What does civic courage mean to you in today’s Aotearoa?
This is the third event in the 'Whiria Te Tangata: Weaving Communities Together' series by the Waikato Intercultural Fund, following speakers Nanaia Mahuta at the University of Waikato in July 2025 and Shamubeel Eaqub at Wintec in October 2025.
Please note, this is NOT a catered event.
Lineup
Margaret Wilson
Margaret Wilson is a lawyer, academic and former politician, and currently Chair of Momentum Waikato. She was the founding Dean of the University of Waikato Law School in the 1990s, and President of the Labour Party in the 1980s. In the 2000s Margaret served as Attorney General and Speaker of the House of Representatives, and held ministerial portfolios that included Labour, Commerce and Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, reflecting her life-long focus on constitutional development, labour rights, and justice reform.
Kemi Fayomi
Kemi Fayomi is Chair of Afro Connect NZ. Born and raised in Nigeria, she is now an engineer in New Zealand’s food industry. Kemi brings leadership, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to empowering the African community. She’s passionate about hosting, connecting people, and creating thriving community spaces.
Jumana Fouda
A young Muslim advocate and community organiser passionate about racial equity, gender justice and inclusive youth leadership. Drawing on her lived experience as an immigrant, she works across diversity and social justice spaces to amplify moralised voices and address issues such as food insecurity, inequitable access to opportunity and representation. Through volunteering and youth-led initiatives, Jumana is committed to creating spaces where young people, particularly young women from culturally diverse background, feel empowered to lead, belong and shape more equitable communities.
Molly Āperira Huggan (Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Rongowhakaata, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri)
“He uri tēnei nō Te Tairāwhiti. Ko Hinetapuārau te tipuna, ko Molly Āperira ahau.” Molly is an activist with Māori-led climate-action rōpū Ngā Haumi and has recently completed a degree in Māori and Indigenous Studies and History guided by Sam Iti Prendergast and Nathan Rew. She is now conceptualising her role in advocating for constitutional and social justice for all communities impacted by racism, environmental injustice and neo-colonial capitalism.
Agenda
- 5:00 pm
Doors open
- 5:30 pm
Opening Karakia and Welcome
- 5:35 pm
Introductions
- 5:45 pm
Panel members speak, approximately five minutes each
- 6:10 pm
Questions from facilitator and then the floor
- 6:40 pm
Concluding comments
- 6:50 pm
Closing Karakia
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