Whakamana, Mana Reo. Conference 2025.

Please only buy one ticket - select Monday when booking and you will be registered for both days. If you are only attending on Tuesday please select Tuesday when booking. Cost is the same.

This conference is now in its third season.

First, in 2019, as a TRCC conference in association with Whakaari Aotearoa Drama New Zealand; and second, in 2023, funded by Whakaari Aotearoa Drama New Zealand through the Networks of Expertise.

This year we are delighted to be supported by the Centre for Arts and Social Transformation, University of Auckland. Special thanks to Professor Peter O'Connor, creator of Te Rito Toi, and his team, for making this possible.

Whakamana, Mana Reo 2025

Empowering learners, enriching literacy.

A conference for primary and intermediate teachers interested in engaging ākonga through drama rich learning experiences to enhance literacy and wellbeing.

Date:

Mon 30 June from 4pm - 6.30pm followed by Conference Dinner at 7pm

and Tues 1 July 8.30am - 5.30pm

Venue: Kelburn Normal School, 16 Kowhai Road, Wellington.

Programme highlights:

Inspiring creativity in teaching

• Demonstration lesson with a master teacher and students.
• Series of workshop choices with practicing classroom teachers and specialists
• Speed-sharing resource session.
• See below for a sneak peek at the programme!

Go here to see a snapshot of the first conference held in 2019.

About the conference title:

Named by Charles Bisley and the TRCC cultural advisory team in 2019.

Whakamana

“In an empowering environment, children have agency to create and act on their own ideas, develop knowledge and skills in areas that interest them and, increasingly, to make decisions and judgments on matters that relate to them. Play and playfulness are valued and kaiako-initiated experiences are inviting and enjoyable.”

Mana Reo

“Using gesture and movement to express themselves | he kōrero ā-tinana.

Developing verbal communication skills for a range of purposes | he kōrero ā-waha.

Enjoying hearing stories and retelling and creating them | he kōrero paki

Expressing their feelings and ideas using a range of materials and modes| he kōrero auaha”

Please note, some images & video material of previous conferences were funded by TDA (formerly TRCC) and NEX through Whakaari Aotearoa Drama NZ and remain the intellectual property of the Ministry of Education.