The conference, which grew from collaborations involving researchers from the University, the Maurice Wilkins Centre and the Oceania University of Medicine Sāmoa, looked beyond scientific discovery to address the cultural, ethical and governance issues needed to ensure precision medicine serves Indigenous communities.

“We wanted to bring together community voices, clinicians and researchers and weave those strands of expertise together,” says Dr Natalie Netzler (Schimke), researcher and conference organiser.

The opening ceremonies reflected the gathering’s cultural foundations. Delegates participated in an ava ceremony, while a carved hoe gifted from Aotearoa symbolised the deep connections linking Pacific peoples across Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa. The carving featured the wheke, drawing on Pacific narratives that emphasise interconnectedness, shared whakapapa and relationships across the region.

Discussions addressed how genomic data should be managed, how community aspirations can be embedded in research programmes, and how emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence can be used responsibly.    The conference also considered how governance frameworks can ensure smaller Pacific nations are represented and protected alongside larger populations, and the clinical potential of genetic variants unique to Pacific peoples.

The next conference is expected to return to Sāmoa in two years, with future gatherings potentially rotating through other Pacific nations.

Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland #UniversityofAuckland #PacificHealthcare #CrossInstituteCollaboration