Overview
Nau mai, haere mai
Intersex Aotearoa warmly invites anyone interested in the positive outcomes for
intersex /ira tangata/ ivsc people in Aotearoa New Zealand,
-including: those with lived experience of an intersex variation/ IVSC/ ira tangata
whānau, community leaders, academics, advocates, health practitioners, researchers, and allies
to attend our Wānanga.
The first ever of its kind in Aotearoa New Zealand this Wānanga brings us all together under the theme - Social Cohesion-
“E koekoe te kōkō, e ketekete te kākā, e kūkū te kererū
The tui/kōkō/parson bird chatters, the kākā/parrot gabbles, the kererū/ wood pigeon coos).
Social Cohesion & Our Whakataukī
Our Logo for this event capture the three birds in our whakataukī: "E koekoe te kōkō, E ketekete te kākā, E kūkū te kererū." Taken titerally in english this means, The tui/kōkō/parson bird chatters, the kākā/parrot gabbles, the kererū/ wood pigeon coos.
Social cohesion means everyone having a place in the social fabric of our society- within the intersex/ivsc/ira tangata landscape there are many distinct voices and many variations, each of these bring a part of our experience and song.
Just as we would not expect a tui to sound like a kererū, nor should we expect the experience of someone with a variation to be the same as anothers- but this does not make that experience any less valid or less significant.
Intersex Aotearoa has always been committed to bringing as many of the voices to the table as possible, so that as a intersex community we support each other in those experiences.
It is our hope that this event will bring these many voices together, including those of allies, and whānau so that together we can make our own forest song- our own understanding of how we can move forward together.
Presenters & Speakers
Learn more about the speakers and presenters below
Programme
Please note: This may be subject to changes up to the date
Day 1
Day 2
What to expect
- Conversations about the human rights issues for Intersex/ Ira Tangata/ Those with an IVSC in Aotearoa
- Speakers about how Intersex Intersex/ Ira Tangata/ Those with an IVSC can leverage existing systems to affect change
- Intersex issues centered
- Intersex Ira Tangata/ Individuals with an IVSC speaking on intersectionality, identity, and community
Please note: This is not a therapeutic or support-focused event. While we aim to foster connection and conversation, providing therapeutic services or facilitated healing spaces is beyond IA’s current capacity.
Pricing
Our tickets are avaliable through Humantix- link here
We offer: invoicing for organisations; ZIP pay and afterpay to spread the cost;
-
Early Bird Offer: $345 (both days) $175.50 per day
-
Standard Registration: $460 both days
-
Corporate $575 both days
-
Lived Experience (Intersex, Ira Tangata, Person with Variation of Sex characteristics) Koha- can pick a price or free.
-
Students - with valid student ID - can access a 15% discount on advertised pricing- please contact us on info@intersexaotearoa.org
History of this Wānanga
In 2022, our board and staff launched a new strategic plan built around three pou: education, community building, and systems change. As part of this work, Intersex Aotearoa sought to explore what social cohesion could look like within the context of Aotearoa New Zealand.
We engaged a well‑known intersex advocate to produce a report examining options for hosting an intersex retreat or similar initiative that would support connection and unity within the intersex community in New Zealand.
In 2023, our board and staff met in Waikanae to plan and discuss how best to utilise the report’s findings, and to identify ways—within IA’s capacity—to make a meaningful contribution to social cohesion. The outcome of this hui was the decision to host a social cohesion event that would take a high‑level look at social cohesion in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The aim is to bring together the diverse voices within the intersex space—not to create consensus, but to demonstrate that cohesion is possible within a community of varied perspectives and experiences.
Originally planned for October 2025, the event will now take place in June 2026 in Auckland.
Venue details will be shared with attendees upon ticket purchase, in recognition of the increasing prevalence of violence and hate directed at rainbow and other communities, and our commitment to ensuring participant safety.
 |
|---|
 |
 |
 |
Sponsorship
Are you interested in joining our amazing sponsors? email info@intersexaotearoa.org for more information
Got a question?
Need more info? Send us your questions below and we'll get you an answer.
