Whaitua o Rēhia | Venue

4–7 Whiringa-ā-rangi 2026, Kirikiriroa, Aotearoa | 4–7 November 2026 - Hamilton, New Zealand

A Place of Deep Indigenous Connection

Claudelands stands on land with long-standing significance for mana whenua. Originally known as Te Papanui, the area was once used as a traditional bird-snaring ground and was inhabited by the hapū of Ngāti Wairere.

One of the wāhi tapu (sacred places) nearby is Miropiko Pā, located along River Road. This site serves as a visible link to the pre-European Māori presence in the area, and today it is preserved as a reserve.

When a Conference like the World Indigenous Suicide Prevention Conference 2026 uses Claudelands as its venue, you are gathering on land that resonates with Indigenous history, culture and identity. This means:

  • Your presence acknowledges and honours the place of mana whenua and the enduring connections of Indigenous peoples to the land.

  • The venue itself becomes more than a “Conference Centre”, it becomes a site of cultural significance, a bridge between past and present, and a place where Indigenous voices, stories and knowledge are grounded.

  • It offers an opportunity to weave the conference kaupapa (purpose) of suicide prevention and wellbeing into the broader context of connection to land, whakapapa (genealogy), environment and community.