Hear Tess's Keynote at Hospice NZ Conference

Tess is giving a keynote lecture at the 2026 Hospice NZ Conference

Good news for anyone planning to attend the Hospice New Zealand Palliative Care Conference 2026: early bird registrations have been extended for a further two weeks, with discounted registration now closing on 2 October 2026. The conference will be held on 19-20 November 2026 in Kirikiriroa Hamilton.

Dr Tess Moeke-Maxwell will be delivering a keynote presentation based on findings from the Waerea Study, which explored Māori experiences of assisted dying and the experiences of the whānau who support them. The study was funded by the Health Research Council and used Kaupapa Māori research methods to understand experiences from the perspectives of whānau, clinicians, rongoā practitioners, spiritual leaders, tohunga and funeral directors.

Assisted dying is still relatively new in Aotearoa, and the Waerea Study helped us better understand what the process means for Māori individuals, whānau and communities. Findings highlight the importance of supporting the mana motuhake of the person choosing assisted dying, while also recognising the central role of whānau as carers, advocates and guardians. Many participants described assisted dying as unfamiliar and emotionally complex, with feelings of pride often sitting alongside uncertainty, guilt and grief.

The research is also identifying what Māori patients and whānau believe high-quality assisted dying care should look like. Participants emphasised cultural safety, knowledge of tikanga Māori, compassionate communication, emotional intelligence, confidence in the process, and support for the wider whānau, not just the individual.

In her keynote, Tess will reflect on what these findings mean for palliative and end-of-life care more broadly, and how Māori knowledgeand experiences can help shape more compassionate, culturally responsive services for everyone.