2026 World Indigenous
Cancer Conference

Hei Āhuru Mōwai and the
World Indigenous Cancer Leaders Forum
warmly invite you to join us.

Nau mai, haere mai,
karahuihui ma ra, e.

April 2026
Rotorua
Aotearoa | New Zealand

Welcome to our interim site. The official WICC 2026 website is under construction.

Welcome to our interim site. The official WICC 2026 website is under construction.

Nau mai, haere mai | Welcome to WICC 2026

Aotearoa New Zealand, the city of Rotorua, the World Indigenous Cancer Leaders Forum and your hosts Hei Āhuru Mōwai Māori Cancer Leadership Aotearoa invite you to the country of open hearts, open minds and open spaces for the 2026 World Indigenous Cancer Conference (WICC 2026).

We can’t wait to welcome you with our genuine warmth and manaakitanga (hospitality), something that Māori - our indigenous people - and specifically Te Arawa (Rotorua’s local iwi/tribe) have been providing visitors for more than 150 years.

WICC 2026 presents delegates involved in the indigenous cancer control space with an exceptional opportunity to;

  • Share your research

  • Learn from your peers

  • Soak up indigenous knowledge, experiences, and perspectives from across the globe

  • Highlight your successes

  • Strengthen your networks

  • Fill your kete (basket) of knowledge

  • Feel the energy and vibrancy of Aotearoa indigenous culture.

Nau mai, haere mai, karahuihui mai ra e.

Hei Āhuru Mōwai Māori Cancer Leadership Aotearoa

Ko wai mātou – about us

Hei Āhuru Mōwai is a not-for-profit Trust and kaupapa Māori organisation dedicated to improving cancer prevention, treatment and outcomes for Māori.

We ensure pro-equity approaches are embedded in the Aotearoa health system, from strategic investment to governance and the delivery of cancer care. Our four objectives are:

Māngai - to provide an expert Māori voice in cancer control.
Rangahau – to conduct research and to influence researchers to deliver better cancer outcomes for whānau.
Mātauranga - to provide and build Māori cancer expertise.
Āhuru - to provide a safe, warm and protected space for Māori cancer specialists to connect, collaborate and create.

Our Vision: Ko te matepukupuku ki te pō, ko te whānau Māori ki Te Whei Ao, ki Te Ao Mārama.

Learn more about our people and our mahi (work) on behalf of whānau Māori in the cancer control space.

A word from your hosts

Our co-chairs Dr Nina Scott and Professor Jacquie Kidd and CEO Gary Thompson look forward to laying out the welcome mat for the World Indigenous Cancer Leaders and all delegates to Aotearoa, New Zealand in March/April 2026. The people of Te Arawa, Rotorua also stand ready to welcome you to the Cultural Centre of our beautiful country.

We are honoured and look forward to the cordial exchange of indigenous culture, knowledge, lived experiences, practice, research, networks, and new perspectives to help us improve cancer prevention, treatment and outcomes for our peoples.

Mark your calendars and start preparing to embark on this haerenga (journey) of discovery and joyful exchange of culture with us.


“Ki te kotahi te kākaho ka whati, ki te kāpuia e kore e whati.”
A single reed on its own is weak, but when bound together there is strength.

Dr Nina Scott
Co-chair

Prof. Jacquie Kidd
Co-chair

Gary Thompson
Tumuaki - CEO

Our people and tikanga (culture) await you

Rotorua is a small regional city with big city facilities. It boasts some of Aotearoa - New Zealand’s most iconic natural attractions and experiences: geothermal wonders, magical forests with hundreds of kilometres of mountain biking trails, and a wealth of natural hot springs and spas for you to explore while you attend WICC 2026.

Getting to Rotorua

Rotorua is a destination that will surprise and enchant you.

Accessible from anywhere in the world, New Zealand is just a meal, movie and a sleep away for delegates. With stunning landscapes, welcoming locals and so much to see and do, New Zealand is the ultimate congress destination that is worth the extra air miles.

International connections to Auckland.

540+ weekly flights connecting Auckland to the world.
150+ international flight arrivals every day.
30 international airlines fly direct to Auckland from 43 destinations around the world.

Travelling from Auckland to Rotorua is a short 40-min domestic flight with Air New Zealand or a scenic 2.5-hour drive.

New Zealand is serviced by Star Alliance, oneworld and SkyTeam.

Accommodation options

Rotorua is an incredibly user-friendly destination with accessibility in spades, offering a variety of accommodation options in the Central Business District within easy walking distance of key conference centres.

Pullman, Millennium, Novotel, Ibis and Sudima are all within a short walking distance of the Energy Events Centre and the amenities of the city.

Most other accommodation options are within a ten-minute drive of the venue.

Marae visits and overnight stays

Your WICC 2026 host Hei Āhuru Mōwai can facilitate visits and overnight stays on local marae for delegate groups wanting this experience while in Aotearoa.

Advanced notice is essential - we will do our best to accommodate delegates, working with our local Te Arawa iwi/hapū contacts and networks.

Join our global WICC 2026 whānau (family)

Sign up to receive WICC 2026 updates as details are confirmed.
We’ll email the final event dates and venue, dedicated WICC 2026 website link, registration details, guests speakers and more as we prepare for this exciting showcase of indigenous leadership, knowledge and experience in cancer control.