Global PCO, Arinex has been appointed to organise the 5th World Indigenous Suicide Prevention Conference (WISPC) 2026 when the event returns to Aotearoa New Zealand. The conference will take place in Kirikiriroa (Hamilton), 17–19 September, and is expected to attract up to 750 Indigenous leaders, health professionals and community advocates from around the world, united in a mission to share culturally grounded strategies for suicide prevention.
The WISPC is rooted in Indigenous cultural values and, since its inaugural gathering hosted in New Zealand in 2016, the conference has become a platform for cross-cultural collaboration — with subsequent editions held in Australia (2018), Canada (2021) and with the Seneca Nation in upstate New York (2024).
Kirikiriroa (Hamilton) has been chosen as the host city due to its deep cultural resonance – it is the home of the Kīngitanga (Māori King Movement), a powerful symbol of unity and self-determination. The location will offer delegates an unparalleled opportunity to engage with Māori tikanga (customs), Reo (language), and manaakitanga (hospitality).
The conference aligns with the New Zealand government’s continued focus on delivering long-term cultural and social benefits, including investment in Tourism New Zealand’s Conference Assistance Programme that supports hui (meetings) like WISPC to make a positive difference, both locally and globally.
Jessica Ferguson at Arinex, said: “We are honoured to support the return of the World Indigenous Suicide Prevention Conference to Aotearoa and to help deliver an experience that is both globally connected and grounded in tikanga Māori. Purposeful events require both human-centred design and a strong cultural narrative, and we are excited to assist in delivering this in 2026.”
